Report: Rangers, Marc Staal Closing In On 6-Year Contract Extension

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Rangers and defenseman Marc Staal are closing in on a six-year contract extension, according to the New York Post.

Assistant general manager Jeff Gorton and Paul Krepelka, Staal's representative, had "a productive meeting" on Wednesday, a source told the newspaper.

According to the New York Post, the alternate captain will earn between $5.6 and $5.9 million per season.

Staal, 28, is in his eighth season with the Rangers. The former first-round pick of the Blueshirts has scored a goal and added six assists in 41 games this season.

General manager Glen Sather will have plenty of difficult decisions to make in the offseason. Martin St. Louis, Mats Zuccarello, Lee Stempniak and Matt Hunwick are set to be unrestricted free agents. Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Jesper Fast and John Moore are set to be restricted free agents.

The newspaper reports that New York will have roughly $20 million in cap space to work with for the 2015-16 roster.

After losing to the Bruins on Thursday night -- their second straight shutout defeat -- the Rangers are 24-13-4 (52 points). They're in fourth place in the Metropolitan Division and have sole possession of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.