According the Bruce “Malkin to the Kings” Garrioch, the Rangers are actively trying to move underachieving forwards Christopher Higgins and Ales Kotalik.

NY RANGERS: New York has been trying to move potential UFA W Chris Higgins, who only has four goals and six assists in 36 games this season. The Rangers don’t have any complaints about his effort, but he’s just not scoring. He is making $2.25 million (all terms US) this season. The club is also trying to move RW Ales Kotalik, who has been a healthy scratch for four straight games.

“All these guys can be had pretty easily,” said a league executive. “But there’s a reason they’re available: They make too much money and aren’t playing well.”

The bottom portion of the quote says it all. The Rangers are in a bit of a hole when it comes to Kotalik, as he still has two years left of that awful deal. I believe now is the time to say I told you so.

Higgins is the more likely to be dealt, as he is a UFA at the end of the year, and it’s very likely that he finds his scoring touch with a change of scenery. The effort is there, he’s just very unlucky right now. Considering the timing of the Olympic roster freeze and the trade deadline, you may see more deals made prior to the Olympic break than normal.

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