Malakhov Is Start of Ranger Overhaul

The New York Rangers signed defenseman Vladimir Malakhov from the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils on Monday to begin what is expected to be a key week for the club.

The Rangers are getting ready to sign a new coach, presumably Ron Low, and return Mark Messier to a team that has not been the same since the club’s last trip to the playoffs in 1997.

Malakhov, who was acquired by the Devils from Montreal on March 1, signed a four-year, $14-million deal with a one-year option with the Rangers. Dallas and Florida also tried to lure the free agent.

“Finally, I got an offer from the Rangers and decided to stay in the Big Apple,” said Malakhov, who began his career with the New York Islanders. “I really like it here.”

General Manager Glen Sather decided not to re-sign defensemen Kevin Hatcher and Mathieu Schneider and use that money on Malakhov.

“If you look through the NHL, there aren’t many players who can play with this kind of ability,” Sather said. “He was a player that was available and we didn’t have to give up any youth to get him. I think he makes us a stronger hockey team.”

Once Sather returns to New York today, he is expected to close some big deals. Sather disputed reports Monday that Messier, who had his contract bought out by the Vancouver Canucks, already had signed a two-year deal with the Rangers.

“That’s totally untrue,” Sather said. “Mark has not agreed to a contract.”

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The New Jersey Devils traded right wing Steve Staios back to the Atlanta Thrashers for undisclosed draft picks.

The Devils acquired Staios on June 12 for a ninth-round pick in last month’s NHL entry draft.

Staios was injured for much of last season with the expansion Thrashers playing 27 games.