Brendan Lemieux requested trade before Rangers dealt him to Kings

Yes, the Rangers wanted to clear space on the roster and yes, the Rangers wanted to clear space under the cap.

But The Post has learned that in dealing Brendan Lemieux to the Kings for a fourth-round draft choice last Saturday, the Rangers were also accommodating a request by the left winger’s camp that he be moved to a team on which he might gain a more meaningful role. “It’s going to give Pepe an opportunity to maybe play in a little bit more of a role that he’s looking for,” said David Quinn, whose team is facing the Sabres in Buffalo on Thursday. “He was a good player for us and we’re going to miss him.”