Esa Tikkanen has filed a grievance with the NHLPA against the Rangers that will be heard by an arbitrator, The Post has learned.

The winger, currently in Edmonton’s training camp on a tryout, contends that the Rangers placed him on waivers last year while he was suffering from a knee injury, in order to avoid roster bonuses amounting to between $200,000 and $1 million.

“It’s a medical issue, plain and simple,” Rich Winter, Tikkanen’s agent said. “The arbitrator will examine medical records and then determine whether Esa’s knee was healthy at the time he was waived through the league.

“This principle of not being able to placed injured players on waivers is an important one, regardless of the bonus structure of this particular deal.”

Tikkanen, who led the Rangers in scoring during last year’s pre-season to gain a spot on the roster, signed a one-year contract for a $500,000 base with bonuses calling for $200,000 if he were on the team at Game 40, another $300,000 if he were on the team for Game 60, and another $500,000 if he remained with the team through Game 70.