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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 – APRIL 27: Brad Richards #19 of the New York Rangers (R) celebrates his second period goal along with J.T. Miller #10 (L) against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Five of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 27, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 27: Brad Richards #19 of the New York Rangers (R) celebrates his second period goal along with J.T. Miller #10 (L) against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Five of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 27, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

#9: Brad Richards (2011)

Brad RIchards was the marquee free agent in the summer of 2011. Glen Sather was determined to get his man and signed him to a nine-year $60 million contract.

The 31-year old Richards was seen as a dynamic leader who would take the Rangers to greatness. While he achieved some success as a Blueshirt, Richards is the one free agent who makes both the best and worst free agent signings lists.

Richards played three seasons in New York, scoring 25 goals in his first season and leading the team to a 109-point season and the Presidents Trophy. Reunited with coach John Tortorella, Richards made the signing look good that season, but the next season his relationship with the coach disintegrated when he was shuffled from the top line to the fourth line and after he was benched for the last two games of the 2013 playoffs.

Richards rebounded in his third and last season in New York under Alain Vigneault. Once he was reunited with Martin St. Louis, there was playoff magic as he played a key role in the team’s drive to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Richards’ finest moment as a Ranger was his power play goal with 6.6 remaining in game five of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. That goal tied the game and led to Marc Staal’s winning goal in the first overtime and it gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead in that series.

While he was still a useful and productive player, the Rangers couldn’t afford his bloated contract and they bought him out after the 2014 season. He went on to win his second Stanley Cup the next year with the Blackhawks.

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