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New York Rangers: 10 worst free agent signings in team history

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK - MARCH 14: Wade Redden #6 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - MARCH 14: Wade Redden #6 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 01: Brad Richards #19 of the New York Rangers during the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Practice Sessions at Citizens Bank Park on January 1, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 01: Brad Richards #19 of the New York Rangers during the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Practice Sessions at Citizens Bank Park on January 1, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

#9 – Brad Richards (2011)

On the ice, Brad Richards had a positive Rangers career and helped the team get to the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals. Through no fault of his own, he makes the worst signings list because of the contract that he signed.

After completing the best season of his NHL career with the Dallas Stars, Richards was the top free agent available in the summer of 2011. The Rangers went out and signed him to a nine-year, $60 million deal. At that point, 31-year old center who had already played 11 tough NHL seasons.

Out of all the times where the Rangers threw loads of money at a player, to sign Richards for that long and for that much in the salary cap era was nothing short of folly.

Although Richards had three good seasons in New York, the team bought him out, using one of two available compliance buyouts that wouldn’t count against the salary cap.  By using a compliance buyout for Richards, it prevented the team from using it on Dan Girardi, who was bought out in 2017 and will cost the team $13 million against the salary cap before he’s off their books.

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