The Rangers have reached out to Wayne Gretzky in an effort to change his mind about participating the Winter Classic alumni game Dec. 31 in Philadelphia. Gretzky said two weeks ago he didn't think he would play, citing previous family plans for the holidays and adding that no one wanted to watch a 50-year-old on skates. "Glen called and we talked for 45 minutes," Gretzky said on Wednesday night. "I really respect the Rangers doing that. That's classy of Salts, Mike Keenan [who is coaching the Rangers' alumni team] and the Dolan family. So I told Glen I would think about it."