from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

Multiple sources report keen interest in the 29-year-old, much of it coming from the Western Conference. Dallas has been dogging the Rangers for weeks. The Blueshirts perhaps would be able to get the Stars’ immensely talented 20-year-old winger Valeri Nichushkin as part of the return package. Such a possibility would surely tempt Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton.

But league sources also say the Blueshirts are no longer signaling Yandle’s availability. No kidding. The Rangers, 7-1-1 in their past nine and 13-5-2, instead appear to be preparing to bulk up for another run at the Stanley Cup that has eluded them since 1994. Subtracting Yandle from the equation would not seem to be in the team’s immediate best interests.

“Of course I hear a lot of the talk whether I want to or not. It’s just about impossible to escape,” Yandle said. “But I wouldn’t categorize it as a ‘challenge’ not to allow it to be a distraction. I come to the rink every day and do my job.”

There are three games to go before the Blueshirts come up against the deadline, set for 3 p.m. Monday. Hours later, the puck will drop at the Garden for a match against the Blue Jackets. And there is no part of Yandle that doesn’t want to be part of it on the Rangers’ side.

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