The star forward signs a nine-year contract worth a reported $60 million. On paper, it's a good fit for both sides as Richards is re-united with former Lightning head coach John Tortorella.
The New York Rangers wanted Brad Richards. Brad Richards wanted the New York Rangers.
On the second day of the NHL's annual free agent gluttony, both player and franchise got what they wanted.
The acknowledged jewel of a maudlin free agent class, Richards and the Rangers agreed to a nine-year contract Saturday morning worth a reported $60 million. The deal is believed to be heavily front-loaded.
"Very happy to become a New York Ranger today!!!" Playing at MSG will be amazing and looking forward to working with a great young team," Richards wrote on his Twitter account.
Only time will tell whether or not the deal is a long-term albatross, as it runs through Richards' 40th birthday. What matters most to the Rangers now is that they beat out Los Angeles, Toronto, Calgary, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Buffalo, among other suitors, for the star pivot.
"We have to add skill within our lineup. We need to look at all avenues. We're building the right foundation. We had some really good growth and some surprises," John Tortorella said on breakup day, two days after the Rangers were summarily dispatched from the playoff proceedings in five first round games by Washington.
Richards played for Tortorella in Tampa Bay, when the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004. Richards won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP that year while Tortorella was awarded the Jack Adams.
"When you get into the real stuff of the playoffs and play a skillful team like Washington, you can see where we need some help in that area. We'll have to look at all areas," Tortorella added.
Richards immediately improves the Rangers' top line skill with 716 points – 496 from assists – in 772 regular season games.
Assuredly, he will center Marian Gaborik, who was a major disappointment in his second season on Broadway. Gaborik finished third on the team in goals with 22.
Richards will also be expected to improve a power play that was often powerless. The Rangers scored man-advantage goals at a 16.9 percent clip during the regular season and were worse in the playoffs, when they were 1-for-20.
Despite bringing Richards and former Penguins wing Mike Rupp (three years, $4.5 million) into the fold and re-signing useful forward Ruslan Fedotenko, the Rangers have not finished constructing their 2011-12 roster. The organization will have to sign RFAs Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle and Michael Sauer. All are expected to return.
On Twitter: @hockeyprimetime and @DenisGorman
Photos by Getty Images |
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