Rangers, Blue Jackets involved in multi-player trade talks?

Tom Reed of The Columbus Dispatch reports that the Columbus Blue Jackets are indeed exploring trade possibilities with the New York Rangers.

While a deal is not imminent, word is that the two sides are talking.

An “NHL source” tells Reed that the Rangers are interested in Blue Jackets impending unrestricted free agent forward David Vyborny. Supporting that claim, is the fact that the Rangers sent three scouts, including player personnel director Gordie Clark, to watch the Blue Jackets play on Sunday.

Vyborny, who is a good friend and former teammate (on Czech Republic national teams) of Rangers forward Jaromir Jagr, says he has heard the rumors but isn’t too concerned about what may or may not happen.

“It’s part of the game,” he said. “If it happens, it happens. It’s only hockey.”

The Blue Jackets appear to covet Rangers forward Petr Prucha, “but only as part of a package deal.” It’s believed that any deal made by these two clubs “likely would involve multiple players.” Forwards Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan and Nigel Dawes might also interest the Blue Jackets.

And despite reports to the contrary, the names of Blue Jackets defensemen Adam Foote and Rostislav Klesla have not popped up in any conversations with the Rangers.