Jagr, York, Laraque, and Tanabe

During a press conference in the Czech Republic, Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that New York Rangers president and GM Glen Sather said he wants to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent forward Jaromir Jagr.

The Rangers are set to play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Czech Republic next October, and Sather would like to have the Czech forward in the line-up.

But while Jagr claims he would like to return to the Big Apple, the 36-year-old is yet to decide if and where he will play next season.

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Phoenix Coyotes pending unrestricted free agent forward Mike York tells Jim Gintonio of The Arizona Republic that he’s not too concerned about his contractual status. York says he’s more focused on helping his club earn a playoff berth.

“I think much more, we’re playing for the playoffs,” he said. “You want to be your best at this time of year, no matter what. Next year’s a long way off.”

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While Pittsburgh Penguins pending unrestricted free agent Georges Laraque has fallen out of grace with the Penguins’ coaching staff recently, Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports the club would like to bring him back due to his physical play and fighting abilities.

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Luke DeCock of The News & Observer reports that Carolina Hurricanes defenseman David Tanabe is done for the season due to concussion problems.

DeCock suggests that the Hurricanes may consider buying out Tanabe’s remaining year of his contract (valued at $900,000) during the off-season at two-thirds of the amount (which would come out to $600,000). Is that even possible, though? Can a team buy out an injured player?