The contract struggle between the New York Rangers and center Derek Stepan has been long documented this offseason by analysts.
The gist of the situation is that Stepan wants a deal that pays him based off the stats he put up in his breakout season last year. Where as the Rangers want him to take a smaller contract because the team has cap troubles and can't afford to pay him what he is looking for. According to NBC Sports, the gap between the two sides has gotten down to just 600K per season.
It is clear by recent statements from Rangers GM Glen Sather that at least the Rangers side is clearly feeling the heat of their top center possibly not being in the lineup on opening night next week. Sather told ESPN New York's Katie Strang, "...I don't think Derek's going to let this linger too long. I don't think hes a big enough fool..."
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/23/sather-stepan-not-big-enough-of-a-fool-to-let-contract-stalemate-continue/ (h/t to Vinny for the link)
I don't know about you, but to me that doesn't seem like a way to talk about a top young player that you are trying to sign to a long term contract.
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