Rangers lose again, trade winds swirl around Zuccarello, Hayes

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Twelve days and six games away from the Feb. 25 trade deadline, The Post has learned that Blueshirts general manager Jeff Gorton has not engaged in contract extension talks with either Kevin Hayes or Mats Zuccarello.

Hence, the Rangers are on course to trade both impending free agents as rental properties in exchange for draft picks and NHL-ready prospects in a continuation of the rebuild policy instituted one year ago. The question therefore is not so much, “if” as “when and to whom?” You’d have to think the team will pull Hayes and Zuccarello from the lineup sooner rather than later in order to protect against a deal-wrecking injury.

The powerful Central-leading Jets, who defeated the Blueshirts 4-3 on Tuesday night by scoring twice within 1:59 early in the third after the visitors had overcome a first-period 2-0 deficit, are believed among the most interested parties in Hayes. The Jets have a handful of highly regarded prospects, including forwards Jack Roslovic and Kristian Vesalainen and defenseman Sami Niku.

They also could be in on Zuccarello, who before the match told The Post that he “[has] not heard any concrete news from my agent,” while his agent at Newport Sports, Don Meehan, told The Post that the Norwegian’s situation is “status quo.” Sources confirmed the same as it applies to Hayes.

“We’re playing so many games now, it’s not hard to keep my focus on the ice,” said the laconic No. 13, who coincidentally had one of his most lackluster games of the year. “I’m keeping a clear mind about things. It’s not like I’m waiting to be told that I’m traded. We’ll all find out soon enough.”

Zuccarello, who first slipped into the Blueshirt on Dec. 23, 2010, for his NHL debut against the Lightning, has played some of the most compelling and productive hockey of his career over the last month in connecting with linemates Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider to form one of the league’s most dynamic units.

Indeed, Zibanejad scored twice, once off a double-deflection off two Jets defensemen, to increase his otherworldly recent numbers to eight goals in the last seven games and 13 over his last 13 matches. Pavel Buchnevich scored the Rangers’ other goal.

“I’m in the best shape of my life,” Zuccarello, whose two assists boosted his run to (five goals, 14 assists) 19 points in the last 12 games, told The Post. “I know I’m 31, but I feel I can contribute to a winning team for a long time. I don’t think I am anywhere near the end of my career. I have a lot to give. I hope it’s here, but if it isn’t, I’ll do my best to help my new team win.”

And isn’t it ironic, like a free ride when you’ve already paid, that as Zuccarello’s play has increased his value as a rental to contenders, he has also re-established his value to the Rangers both on the ice and in the room. The winger’s revival has prompted the Rangers to consider the scenario under which they would trade Zuccarello and then re-sign him as a free agent on July 1. The same could hold true regarding Hayes.

“I’m not aware of that,” Zuccarello said. “If that’s the situation that develops, I would look at it, but that’s far off. I can say that no one has come to me and said that’s the plan.”

Several agents told The Post they believe that Gorton would be prohibited from raising that option during conversations with the players and/or their agents under tampering regulations contained in the collective bargaining agreement. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly did not respond to a Post email seeking clarification of the matter.

The Blueshirts, 2-3-1 over their last six contests with road games coming up in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Raleigh, played a spirited second period after being run out of the building for most of the opening 20 minutes.

“I thought we played afraid, not afraid in the physical sense of afraid of being hurt, but afraid to make plays and get in on the forecheck,” coach David Quinn said. “We played afraid and on our heels. We talked about it between periods and I thought we responded really well.”

Owning a 20-7 Corsi edge during the second, the Blueshirts tied it on goals by Zibanejad at 0:38 and again at 19:19, the latter on a power play. Pavel Buchnevich’s power-play deflection of Ryan Strome’s drive gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead at 0:57 of the third before Joe Morrow and Andrew Copp scored at 5:22 and 7:21, respectively against a pedestrian Henrik Lundqvist.

So the Rangers move on … with Zuccarello and Hayes waiting to learn where they will be moving.