With talks between young forward and restricted free agent Derek Stepan and the New York Rangers not progressing much this summer, reports indicate that Stepan will not attend the start of training camp Wednesday as the two sides have yet to agree on a new contract.
"A deal is not imminent and obviously Derek will not report [to camp] without a contract," his agent Matt Oates said, according to The New York Post.
Stepan, 23, was scheduled to report to the Rangers camp Wednesday to take a physical as the team gears up for workouts under new head coach Alain Vigneault in preparation for the preseason leading into the regular-season, but with no contract it seems as though Stepan will remain in his home state of Wisconsin at least for now.
The Rangers have had informal workouts and practices this past week, but Stepan has remained at home and may become the second Ranger to holdout over a contract in four years as Brandon Dubinsky, who now skates for the Columbus Blue Jackets, missed eight days of camp in 2009 during a contract dispute with the Rangers.
Stepan is reportedly looking for a five-to-six year pact with the Blueshirts in the neighborhood of $5 million per year, while the Rangers are hoping to bridge his entry level deal and a future long-term deal with a two-year contract worth somewhere between $2.75-and-$3 million per year, according to The New York Post.
Stepan's demands aren't unheard of, as entering his fourth year with the team Stepan has emerged as one of their most valuable forwards. The last three seasons, Stepan was netting $875,000 per year on his Entry Level deal, during a time where his production propelled him to play as the team's first line center in 2011-12 and again in the 48-game lockout-shortened season in 2013.
Stepan, who showed his tact for scoring early on as he had a hat trick during his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres back in 2010, led the Rangers in points (44) and assists (26) last season and trailed Rick Nash in goals by just three as his 18 tallies fell short of Nash's 21. Stepan also paced the Ranges in goals (4) during the team's playoff run last year, and had five points overall in the first two rounds before the Rangers fell to the Boston Bruins in five games.
In his career, Stepan has played in 212 games, netting 56 goals and 84 assists for a total of 140 points.
Stepan was a second-round draft pick and the 51st overall by the Rangers back in 2008, and is eighth in scoring in the NHL the last three seasons for players below the age of 23.
The Rangers preseason schedule kicks off this Monday in New Jersey against the Devils and the regular-season commences for the Blue Shirts Oct. 3 in Phoenix against the Coyotes. The Rangers can only hope they'll have the dynamic Stepan locked-up in a deal by then.
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