Brad Richards finally ended the drama yesterday morning by agreeing to a front loaded, CAP FRIENDLY, 9 year 60 mil dollar contract with the Rangers. His cap hit is only $6.66 mil a year, a far cry of the $8 mil plus cap hit others were expecting. The Rangers did not have the highest offer on the table which was believed to have come from Toronto, however it was a much shorter term, something that Richards did not find attractive. It was rumored Friday night into yesterday morning that if the money was close then he was going to become a Ranger. Well that became evident on Saturday morning by agreeing to terms on his new contract.
I have to admit that I was floored when I heard the contract was for nine years, especially after the rumors that Glen Sather was unwilling to go over a seven year term. However I guess Glen wanted to do whatever it took to get Richards in the fold and at a reasonable cap number. On the ice, adding Richards is giant leap forward to turning this team into a legitimate cup contender. Now rather this team being 3 years away from potentially being ready though good draft picks and filling out roster spots in free agency, Brad Richards fills a huge gap as a true number one center, something the Rangers haven't had since Messier. He also fills a hole on the power play as the QB on the blue line, as Michael Del Zotto had problems with before becoming a healthy scratch and eventually hurt and done for the season.
I don't think the Rangers are quite done this offseason. While some are clamoring to sign a veteran defenseman (think McCabe but much less money) I disagree. The Rangers are backed up on the blueline. Staal, Girardi, McDonagh are written in stone while Sauer, a restricted FA expected to resign. Tim Erixon, recently acquired from Calgary will push for a roster spot, 2010 first round pick Dylan McIlrath will likely spend one more year in juniors before jumping to the pros but could get a 10 game tryout in the NHL if he has a good training camp. Mikhail Pashnin, a seventh round pick in 2009 will likely get a pro contract and see time in the AHL next season. Pashnin came over from Russia last season and was hitting everything in sight at the prospects camp this past week. Lastly Michael Del Zotto, who the Rangers are extremely high on, will give another chance to prove his wares. I have a feeling that Sather could move one of these defensive pieces for a top 6 scoring winger to go along with BR and Gabby especially if MZA and Wolski aren't able to gel with the top line.
This Ranger team has the potential to do a ton of damage this coming season possibly even winning a playoff round or two if things break right. The puzzle pieces are beginning to come together fans it won't be long before the Rangers begin to do some incredible things on the ice.
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