Leetch

As far as Flyers general manager Bob Clarke is concerned, Rangers defenseman Brain Leetch is not heading to Philly.

Clarke denied a report out of New York, which claimed the Flyers were asking some veteran players to defer their salaries to make budget room for Leetch, the Philadelphia Daily News reported Monday.

Leetch has spent his entire 16-year career with the Rangers.

"We've had no conversations at all with anybody concerning Brian Leetch," Clarke said. "Our efforts right now, at least up until (tomorrow), are to get (Joni) Pitkanen signed, and we're still working on that."

Joni Pitkanen is the Finnish prospect the Flyers took with the fourth overall pick last year. The Flyers have until Tuesday to sign Pitkanen, or he will be required by his contract in the Finnish elite league to play another year in Europe.

Leetch, meanwhile, has said he would like to finish his career with the Rangers, and coach/GM Glen Sather has said he would match any offer that comes Leetch's way.

The Flyers, Maple Leafs and Blackhawks -- and possibly the Avalanche and Lightning -- have inquired about Leetch's services, according to the Post. Leetch reportedly has had a two-year, $12 million offer from Sather on the table since June 30.