One of the big issues facing the Rangers this offseason was about depth up the middle.
New York could take a step in addressing that, with a potential solution in college free agent Alex Kerfoot, the former New Jersey Devils draft pick who decided to test the open market.
The Rangers are among the final two or three teams under consideration by Harvard free-agent center Alex Kerfoot, The Post has learned.
J.P. Barry, the 23-year-old center’s agent who confirmed the parties’ mutual interest, told The Post that Kerfoot likely would reach a decision no later than Tuesday following a weekend of reflection.
The Rangers traded Derek Stepan to the Arizona Coyotes and lost Oscar Lindberg in the expansion draft, leaving them in a difficult spot at center heading into the summer months.
Now 23 years old, Kerfoot played four years at Harvard University -- the same school as Jimmy Vesey, who became a college free agent last summer and signed with the Rangers -- and had a terrific senior year. He put up 16 goals and 45 points and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.
The Rangers are facing competition to land Kerfoot, who is from Vancouver and played his junior hockey in nearby Coquitlam. The Canucks are reportedly still in consideration, as well.
Hearing UFA forward Alex Kerfoot will decide soon on a team and yes the #Canucks are still in the mix.
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) August 21, 2017
According to agent J.P. Barry, Kerfoot and the Canucks management group reportedly had a “productive” meeting last week.