BREAKING: Rangers Sign Brad Richards for 9 Years/$60 Million

Brad Richards has chosen to sign with the New York Rangers per Darren Dreger. The deal is for nine years and will total to $60 million, which is a $6.67 million annual cap hit. Original reports had the deal at $58.5 million with a $6.5M cap hit, but that has since been corrected.

Richards, age 31, led the Dallas Stars in scoring last season with 28 goals, 49 assists and 77 points in 72 games played. Not only is he a dynamic playmaker and fluent skater, but he also has a nose for the net with his wicked wrist shot. Richards brings the entire package and having played for head coach John Tortorella in his years with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he shouldn't have much of a problem adjusting to the Rangers system at all. 

The Rangers have been linked to the Prince Edward Island, Canada native since the trade deadline back in February, but that deal fell through since Richards was still experiencing post-concussion symptoms at the time. Because of this, many believe there is considerable risk in signing Richards since it is widely known that having one concussion makes you much more susceptible to having another, but the Rangers were willing to take that risk in order to get their desired first line center. 

In addition to providing more offense to the club on a personal level, the Blueshirts hope that Brad will also help to improve the game of sniper Marian Gaborik. As we know, Gaborik had a down season in 2010-11, and the belief was that the lack of a playmaking linemate contributed largely to Marian's struggles. Richards is expected to fill that gap and hopefully get Gaborik the puck more in the offensive zone. 

Lastly, Richards was a force while positioned at the point on the powerplay while in Dallas. Coincidentally, the Blueshirts do not currently have a big shot from the point on the powerplay assuming they do not re-sign veteran defenseman Bryan McCabe. So that is just another need of the Rangers' that Richards will fulfill.

As far as the cap hit goes, I am thrilled about the deal. I would have preferred the length of the contract to be less, but hey, take what you can get for an all-star center at a reasonable price. Just happy that this thing is finally over. 

Welcome to New York, Brad.

Comments

[John Mac]

I knew he wasn't going to make a big deal about the money. If he wanted money he would have went to Flames. I'm thrilled now about Richards.we have no one other UFA available that I would even consider signing. What do you think is going to happen to the roster now Nick we have to get rid of some players if we are going to add youth into the roster. I don't see where Rupp or Feds are going i could see one or the other on the roster but not both. The scapegoat is more than likely going to be Avery

[mutations]

Is Callahan our newest Captain still? Or does Richards get the C? At the very least I see him getting an A.

[matt]

waste of money

[Nick Montemagno]

I think you can definitely expect Sather to make a trade before training camp. The Rangers have a severe excess of forwards right now with no room to incorporate any youngsters into the lineup, so Slats is very likely to make a trade dumping some of the loose change.

[Nick Montemagno]

Callahan is still expected to get the C. To be honest, I don't even think Richards gets an A because it is only his first year in New York. It should be Cally - C, Dubi - A, Staal - A. At least that is how I see it unfolding.

[Nick Montemagno]

I don't think you will be saying that once you see him play. The contract is long, yes, but he is worth 6.5 mill.

[matt]

i hope you're right..not trying to be cynical...it's just we've seen these deals in the past not pan out..that's all..Let's Go Rangers!

[Nick Montemagno]

I completely understand and don't blame you for feeling that way. But Richards is better than the "other" players we have signed to contracts like this.

[matt]

bummer..we lost gilroy..i still think he's going to be a solid 3/4 defenseman

[JohnP]

Goodbye Dubi! He is going to get traded. One of the few forwards with value and if if you had to trade either Dubi or Cally it would be Dubi.

[Nick Montemagno]

Yup, signed with Tampa.

[Nick Montemagno]

I don't think Dubi will be traded. When I said they will be trading forwards, I meant like Wolski, Christensen, etc. Dubi is a part of the core.

[JohnP]

If the Rangers want a scoring LW to play with Gabby & Richards then they will have to trade something to get something, Wolski and Christensen will get you a bag of pucks and a wooden stick. Let's see what happens now becasue there i splenty of work left to do.

[matt]

not sure why you think they'd trade dubi,THAT would be a mistake..

[JohnP]

I've had this feeling about them trading him and I then I read on a couple of other sites his name being mentioned as a possible trade chip. And he has valus so we can get something back.

[Nick Montemagno]

Well, I didn't mean trade them for return. Just trade them to get rid of them. Could also see Wolski bought out in August.

[Swedefour]

Audio from signing of "Richie"

http://howlings.net/2011/07/02/sather-tortorella-and-richards-conference-call/

[Nick Montemagno]

Great stuff, listened to the entire thing. Thanks!

[MvpGaborik]

So happy to see Brad here...he left money on the table from other teams and you dont see that to often...great job by slats here...the length is a bit long but i think its a steal with such a good cap hit...from one Brad to another, welcome to NY!!!

[Swedefour]

It was a pleasure to listen to Slats, and hear that the RFAs would be done in a couple of weeks. Did not know that BR nickname is Richie.

[Nick Montemagno]

Me neither. Guess it's better than "Dickie" lol