As sands through the free agent hour glass:

While the Rangers are keeping their pulse on the situation, it’s probably more accurate to depict the Blueshirts as bystanders in the pursuit of Sergei Fedorov. While a report out of Russia that had Fedorov having signed with the Mighty Ducks is incorrect, it does appear that Anaheim is the onetime Hart winner’s most likely destination – unless, somehow, St. Louis is able to clear a substantial amount of money in order to extend No. 91 a bona fide offer. Los Angeles and Carolina are also believed to have interest in Fedorov.

Sources indicate that the Blues are trying desperately to find a taker for either Keith Tkachuk, owed $10M next season, or Doug Weight, owed $8.5M, in order to clear payroll to sign Fedorov. Tkachuk and Weight both have no-trade clauses in their contracts. The Blues are also going to be faced with the prospect of paying Pavol Demitra up to as much as $7M out of salary arbitration.

It’s believed that the Blues have spoken to the Rangers about Weight – who has an unwieldy three years at $23M remaining on the five-year, $40.5M deal to which he was signed by Larry Pleau two summers ago – as well as to the Red Wings in discussions concerning Curtis Joseph. Cujo, who began his career in St. Louis, has two years at $16M remaining on his contract. Though the Red Wings are seeking to move Joseph as quickly as possible in order to avoid the possibility of having him on the training camp roster – not to mention the ice – with Dominik Hasek, there’s no guarantee they’d be willing to send him to a Western Conference rival.

The Rangers remain the most likely landing spot for Cujo via a three-way that would presumably send Eric Lindros to Detroit and incumbent No. 1 Mike Dunham to Boston – if the Red Wings prefer No. 88 to Devil free agent pivot Joe Nieuwendyk, and if the Bruins are willing to sufficiently ante up for Dunham, whom the Blueshirts have no intention of giving away.