AROUND THE NHL

If the Edmonton Oilers had it, the New York Rangers want it.

Ron Low, who coached the Oilers for parts of five seasons, was expected to take over as coach of the NHL’s top-salaried team which failed to reach the postseason in three straight seasons.

“Ron is on his way to New York for a press conference,” Richard Adler, the president of the Houston Aeros told television station KRIV. “He has agreed to a deal with the Rangers.”

Low coached the Aeros after he stepped down as Oilers coach.

The Rangers would not confirm Low’s hiring, but did schedule a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to make a “major announcement regarding the team’s coaching staff.”

Besides the signing of defenseman Vladimir Malakhov on Monday, the hiring of a coach would be the first major move made by new GM Glen Sather, Low’s former boss in Edmonton.

Low, who became Edmonton’s coach in April 1995 after six years as an assistant, quit last spring after refusing an offer to return for another season at the same salary he earned in 1998-99.

“Ron sat out last year on principle,” Adler said. “He was not going to be the lowest-paid coach in the league and now he is going to the biggest hockey market in the country.”

*

Nick Beverley, former general manager with the Los Angeles Kings and head coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, was named assistant general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

In 1993, the Kings made it to the Stanley Cup finals in his first year as general manager in Los Angeles.