NEW YORK - With the start of training camp less than a month away, free agent center Mats Sundin has expressed an interest in playing for the New York Rangers this season, according to the New York Post.

According to the newspaper, Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry, has talked with the Rangers' front office all week, although those discussions have not yet included specific negotiations for a
contract.

The Rangers have approximately $2 million of cap space available, meaning they would have to juggle their roster to sign the 37-year-old Sundin, who led the Toronto Maple Leafs in scoring last season with 32 goals and 46 assists.

New York signed former Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund to a two-year, $8 million contract and traded for Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Nikolai Zherdev.

According to the Post report, Sundin has no interest in returning to Toronto, where he has spent the past 13 seasons. The Maple Leafs reportedly have offered him a one-year contract
worth $7 million.

The Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens are believed to be the teams most actively pursuing Sundin, with the Canucks offering a reported two-year, $20 million deal.

However, the Post reported that the Philadelphia Flyers, who are in the market for a first-line center, have emerged as Sundin's second choice.

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