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10 best free agent signings in New York Rangers history

By Steve Paulus

Canadian ice hockey player Adam Graves of the New York Rangers holds the Stanley Cup as he celebrates after the team's Stanley Cup victory, New York, New York, June 14, 1994. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)
Canadian ice hockey player Adam Graves of the New York Rangers holds the Stanley Cup as he celebrates after the team's Stanley Cup victory, New York, New York, June 14, 1994. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – 1976: Dale Tallon #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck as Nick Fotiu #22 of the New York Rangers defends during their game circa 1976 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – 1976: Dale Tallon #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates with the puck as Nick Fotiu #22 of the New York Rangers defends during their game circa 1976 at the Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by B Bennett/Getty Images) /

#10: Nick Fotiu (1976)

Known as one of the best enforcers in team history, Nick Fotiu brought much needed toughness to Madison Square Garden. The team was only one year removed from the beating former Flyers enforcer Dave Schultz inflicted on Ranger defenseman Dale Rolfe in the 1974 Stanley Cup Playoffs. It was a time when the Broad Street Bullies ruled hockey and pugilistic ability was as important as goal scoring.

Staten Island native Fotiu had played two seasons in the WHA in New England and had established his reputation as a tough guy who could skate. GM John Ferguson cut an unusual deal to get Fotiu’s negotiating rights from New England, agreeing to play some exhibition games in Hartford over the next few years.

He had an immediate impact when he became a Ranger. In his first season he scored only four goals, but did accumulate 174 penalty minutes.

His 190 penalty minutes in 1978-79 was the second highest total in Rangers history (Lou Fontinato had 206 PIM in 1956). He played four games in the Rangers’ drive to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1979.

Fotiu became a fan favorite and is best remembered for his habit of throwing pucks to the fans in the blue seats after pre-game warmups. Left exposed in the 1979 expansion draft, he was claimed by Hartford, but the Rangers traded to get him back in 1981  Fotiu played eight seasons in New York and is sixth on the all-time list for penalty minutes with 970.

Fotiu makes the list because of the impact he had in bringing respect to the Rangers at a time when toughness was all-important.

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