Ales Kotalik Leaving Rangers On Verge Of Trade

The New York Post's Larry Brooks is reporting that New York Rangers forward Ales Kotalik did not make the trip to Colorado for the second game of the team's three game road trip. The reason for that apparently is the Rangers are going to trade Kotalik in the near future. From Brooks:

It is unknown whether GM Glen Sather has a tentative deal in place for Kotalik or whether this is simply the beginning of the process.

The Maple Leafs, barren up front after today's blockbuster trades with Calgary and Anaheim, could be interested, perhaps in exchange for defenseman Garnet Exelby. The Oilers, for whom Kotalik played quite well after going to Edmonton from Buffalo at last year's trade deadline, could also be a logical trading partner.

Our Rangers site, Blueshirt Banter, heard the rumblings about a possible move including Kotalik back on Jan. 20th. Kotalik has 22 points on the season in 45 games and has been a scratch in eight of the last nine games. Who the potential trade partner could be is been yet to be seen but this is only the beginning of the trade deadline fun.