The Rangers are believed to have entered the bidding for Claude Lemieux, who expects to leave the Devils as an unrestricted free agent by tomorrow.
“By Wednesday we should have something done and move forward,” Lemieux told The Post yesterday. “I have to make sure it’s the right deal.”
The 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Lemieux played an important role in helping the Devils win their second Stanley Cup last month, capturing his fourth career Cup, and third in six seasons.
Lemieux, who turns 35 July 16, said five teams are in the running for his services. He refused to specify the pursuers, but pointedly would not deny that the Rangers are among that group.
Lemieux hopes the Devils make a late bid to re-sign him, but won’t hold his breath.
“I doubt it, if we haven’t heard from [the Devils] by now … ,” Lemieux said.
Lemieux returned to the Devils Nov. 3, 1999, for Brian Rolston and a swap of first-round picks. He went 20-27-47 in 83 games last season between Colorado and New Jersey, including 17-21-38 in 70 games with the Devils.
A paragon of effort in the playoffs, he went 4-6-10 in the 23 games, completing the season by playing 106 games, one more than a full regular season.
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While they appear to be letting Lemieux go unopposed, the Devils yesterday signed left wing Jim McKenzie, who moves within one of the unofficial suitcase record by joining his eighth NHL team.
McKenzie signed as a Group 5 unrestricted free agent from Washington, a 30-year-old, 10-year vet who made less than the NHL’s $1.3 million average.
“Jim McKenzie is an experienced veteran who, at 6-4 and 230 pounds, adds to the physical dimension of our hockey team,” GM Lou Lamoriello said.
McKenzie was a fourth-round pick by the Whalers in 1989, and has also played with Dallas, Pittsburgh, Winnipeg, Phoenix and Anaheim. He was claimed by the Caps on waivers Jan. 20, and went 4-5-9 with 64 penalty minutes in 61 games last season. He is 38-34-72 with 1,321 penalty minutes in 623 career games. Ex-Devil Brent Ashton is believed to be the NHL’s suitcase king, having played for nine teams.
