Peca wants Rangers to make up their mind already

The New York Rangers have until this Tuesday to decide if they want to sign unrestricted free agent forward Mike Peca, his agent tells Mark Everson of the New York Post.

“I’m going to force the issue. I can’t wait any longer. We’ll have a decision [today],” agent Don Meehan told The Post last night.

Word last week was that Peca and the Rangers were close to a deal in the “$1 million to $1.25 million range, including performance incentives,” but negotiations hit a snag. Since that time, there hasn’t been any communication between the two sides.

So, is that a sign that the Rangers are perhaps having cold feet about signing the 33-year-old checking forward? Meehan tells John Dellapina of the New York Daily News that he is still trying to figure out why he’s had such difficulty in reaching Rangers GM Glen Sather.

“I’ve been trying to figure that out. I’ve tried to reach him (yesterday and Sunday) and can’t. And I’m working with time constraints now. I’ve got to find out where he stands.”

“We’re probably going to force the issue by (today). If I can’t reach him (today), we’ll just go our separate way.”

Should talks with the Rangers fall through completely Meehan says that a number of teams have expressed an interest in his client, including the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Zipay of Newsday reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs are sill in the mix, as well.