Messier Being Coveted

Because Mark Messier fever has struck several National Hockey League teams, the Rangers have increased their offer to re-sign their 36-year-old center and captain, who is now a free agent.

A person familiar with the negotiations said the Rangers offered Messier a one-year contract earlier this month calling for $3.25 million in salary and $1.75 million in deferred payments.

That person said Messier was disappointed by both the duration and the dollar value of the offer.

Businessman John Spano has returned to Long Island from a Cayman Islands vacation to face fraud charges stemming from his failed attempt to buy the NHL’s New York Islanders.