Sather Reportedly Is Primed to Take Position With Rangers

Glen Sather, former Edmonton Oiler president and general manager, is close to agreeing to a contract with the New York Rangers, a Canadian television network reported Friday.

The network, TSN, quoting two sources, said an announcement was expected Monday or Tuesday.

A Madison Square Garden spokesman said he was aware of the report but did not have any additional comment.

The Rangers have been looking for a new general manager and coach since firing Neil Smith and John Muckler with four games remaining in the season.

Sather resigned last Friday, saying at the time no other job offers were on the table.

The Rangers missed the playoffs for three consecutive years after reaching the conference finals in 1997.

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Maurice Richard’s spinal column is deteriorating because of osteoarthritis, but his overall condition remained stable.

The osteoarthritis also is causing pain in the hockey great’s legs, Hotel-Dieu Hospital said in a statement.

Richard isn’t eating much but his vital signs are normal.

The 78-year-old former Montreal Canadien forward was admitted to the hospital last week after the recurrence of a cancerous abdominal tumor that first appeared three years ago.

Chemotherapy has been mentioned as an option but only if Richard regains enough strength to endure the treatments.

Richard was the NHL’s first 50-goal scorer in 1944-45 and went on to score a then-record 544 career goals. He also scored 82 playoff goals and played on eight Stanley Cup champions.

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The expansion Columbus Blue Jackets claimed defenseman Jamie Heward off waivers from the New York Islanders.

Heward, 29, had six goals and 11 assists in 54 games for the Islanders last season. He signed with New York as a free agent after spending the 1998-99 season with Nashville.

“Defensemen are at a premium in the NHL and by picking up Jamie Heward we’ve given ourselves a little depth heading into the expansion draft,” General Manager Doug MacLean said.

The expansion draft for Columbus and the Minnesota Wild is June 23. Both teams begin play this fall.

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The Atlanta Thrashers have the best chance of getting the first pick in the NHL draft lottery Wednesday.

The Thrashers, who had the league’s worst record in their first season, have a 25% chance of getting the top choice in the weighted lottery. The two expansion teams--Minnesota and Columbus--have the next-best chance, along with Tampa Bay, at 14.6%.

Teams are not allowed to move up more than four positions in the draw. That means only the teams with the three worst records--Atlanta, Tampa Bay and the New York Islanders--can get No. 1, along with the two expansion teams.

The lottery includes all 12 teams that failed to make the playoffs.

Tampa Bay, which holds the Rangers’ first pick, and Chicago, which holds Vancouver’s, each has two lottery picks.

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Stanley Cup Finals Schedule

* Game 1: Tuesday at New

Jersey, 5 p.m. ESPN

* Game 2: Thursday at New

Jersey, 5 p.m. ESPN

* Game 3: June 3 at West

winner, 5 p.m. ABC

* Game 4: June 5 at West

winner, 5 p.m. ABC

* Game 5: June 8 at New

Jersey, 5 p.m. ABC*

* Game 6: June 10 at West

winner, 5 p.m. ABC*

* Game 7: June 12 at New

Jersey, 5 p.m. ABC*

* if necessary; Times are Pacific