Eminger close to healthy; Christensen traded

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Rangers defenseman Steve Eminger, sidelined since Dec. 17 by a separated right shoulder, could be in uniform against the Flyers on Sunday or play later next week, adding some veteran depth.

On a day the Rangers traded spare forward Erik Christensen to Minnesota for prospect Casey Wellman, coach John Tortorella said Eminger has been medically cleared to play. He was unsure if Eminger will be in the lineup for the Rangers -- scheduled to wear Winter Classic uniforms -- when the Flyers visit Madison Square Garden.

"It's a possibility," said Eminger, who played 30 straight games before being injured on a check by Phoenix forward Martin Hanzal. "We're going to [practice] again [Saturday] and that will be a better indicator. The guys have been playing great, but it gets tough to watch after a while . . . It's a matter of time before I get back healthy. My shooting is 100 percent. The pain is fine. It's just the strength, that's what it comes down to. But in conditioning, the weights have gotten heavier, and that's a good sign."

Christensen, 28, was shipped to Minnesota with a conditional 2013 seventh-round draft pick. He edged out Sean Avery for a roster spot in October and was tried on the top two lines. But Christensen had only one goal and four assists in 20 games and hadn't played since Dec. 17.

The center was claimed off waivers from Anaheim on Dec. 2, 2009, and had 20 goals and 38 assists in 132 games for the Rangers. The Wild will be his fifth NHL team in seven years.

"He had some opportunities here. Great guy. Wish the best to him," Tortorella said.

Wellman, 24, had two goals and five assists in 14 games for the Wild this season. He was assigned to the AHL's Connecticut Whale. Tortorella said assistant general manager Jim Schoenfeld described Wellman as "a hard-working player with some skills who plays all three forward positions."

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