Are Sheldon Souray’s Days in Hershey Numbered?

There are only four more home games until the NHL trade deadline on 2/28 (Photo by Kyle Mace)

All good things have to come to an end, right? Despite accumulating only three goals and eight assists in 22 games with the Bears, interest in banished Oilers’ defenseman Sheldon Souray has rapidly picked up over the weekend. First, there was a blog post on ESPN, where Pierre LeBrun suggested that the Rangers were interested in a veteran presence on their blue line:

Rangers interested in defensemen: The Rangers’ power play has consistently struggled (23rd), so a veteran point man such as Kaberle, Bryan McCabe or Sheldon Souray would likely interest the Blueshirts. Each would also provide a veteran presence on a really young Rangers blue line.

Then tonight, TSN took that one step further:

The Sheldon Souray watch is on again, although the Edmonton Oilers claim they won’t make their former star available on re-entry waivers until they know for sure that a defenseman-needy buyer is ready to pull the trigger. …

“Until I get a call from a team saying they’re interested in Sheldon, I won’t be putting him on re-entry (waivers),” Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini told the Edmonton Journal. “Have I had a call yet from anybody? No, I haven’t.”

But sportsnet.ca reported the New York Rangers are scouting Souray and another NHL scout was planning to check him out during two weekend games. The Rangers are desperate to find an experienced defenseman.

If Souray were to be claimed on re-entry waivers, his new team would be responsible for about half of his remaining contract, which adds up to about $6 million through next year. The Oilers would be on the hook for the rest.

The Bears play next on Wendsday in Manchester, Friday in Providence, and will then return to Giant Center Saturday. Will Souray return with them?

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.