Nash gives Rangers no-trade list

The expected shake-up of the struggling New York Rangers has begun with forward Rick Nash giving the front office a list of teams he can’t be traded to without his permission, the first formal step required per the terms of his contract for the Rangers to trade him before the 3 p.m Feb. 26 trade deadline.

Nash, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 1, gave the Rangers a list of 18 teams he could block a trade to. That leaves 12 teams that Nash can be traded to, unless he waives the notrade clause in his contract.

“My No. 1 goal is to win a [Stanley] Cup with the Rangers and have a successful season with the Rangers,” Nash said Monday in Dallas. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s the business side of it when you’re asked to make a list you think of the teams that have the best chance [to win the Stanley Cup].”

Getting that list from Nash likely is the first step in what could be a major upheaval that could involve such players as defenseman Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider, among others.

Jets

Winnipeg forward Mark Scheifele participated in his first full-contact practice Monday since being hit into the boards in a Dec. 27 game against Edmonton. Scheifele will not play Tuesday against Arizona but could get the green light to return Friday against St. Louis. The team’s top-line center had an apparent shoulder injury, though management wouldn’t give specifics about the injury. The Jets are 10-2-3 in his absence, but he has not been the only regular out of the lineup recently because of injuries. Forwards Adam Lowry, Brandon Tanev, Matt Hendricks and Shawn Matthais are out with upper-body injuries. Maurice said Hendricks could be the first one back. Defenseman Jacob Trouba (ankle) and goalie Steve Mason (concussion) are also hurt.

Avalanche

Colorado center Nathan MacKinnon skated Monday for the first time since being injured Jan. 30. He was on the ice before practice and wearing a red noncontact jersey. MacKinnon was seen grabbing his left shoulder after a second-period hit on Vancouver defenseman Alexander Edle. He is expected to be out 2-4 weeks. MacKinnon has 61 points (24 goals, 37 assists) and five points behind NHL leader Nikita Kucherov of Tampa Bay. The Avalanche is 1-3-1 since a 10game winning streak ended Jan. 22.

Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews bagged two goals and an assist and William Nylander chipped in two goals as host Toronto downed Anaheim, 7-4. Defenseman Jake Gardiner also played a major role in thewin with three assists.

Predators

Nashville’s Ryan Johansen scored the tying goal in the final minute of regulation, and Roman Josi scored the winner 3:42 into overtime to rally the visiting Predators to a 5-4 victory against the New York Islanders. Kevin Fiala had two goals, and Calle Jarnkrok also scored for Nashville, which improved to 9-1-2 in its past 12 games as goalie Pekka Rinne stopped 24 shots.