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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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OTTAWA, CANADA – DECEMBER 29: Michael Nylander #92 of the New York Rangers skates towards his bench after a whistle in a game against the Ottawa Senators on December 29, 2006 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Canada. The Senators won 1-0. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, CANADA – DECEMBER 29: Michael Nylander #92 of the New York Rangers skates towards his bench after a whistle in a game against the Ottawa Senators on December 29, 2006 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Canada. The Senators won 1-0. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images) /

#8: Michael Nylander (2004)

Michael Nylander only played two seasons on Broadway, but they were magical.

As center for Jaromir Jagr and on the top power play unit, he helped the Rangers to the 100-point mark for the first time in over a decade.

Signed to a three-year $8.9 million contract in the summer of 2004, Nylander spent the next lockout season in Europe. His $2.8 million annual salary proved to be a bargain. In his debut season, he averaged almost a point a game (23-56-79) and helped Jagr to the greatest offensive season by a player in franchise history. He did even better in his second season with 83 points and and 13 points in 10 playoff games.

The Rangers failed to exercise an option for a fourth season (the first year was lost due to the lockout) and the 34-year old Nylander signed a four-year $19.5 million deal with the Capitals. Without Nylander, Jagr’s performance suffered. With that decline in production, the Rangers made no attempt to sign Jagr and he left for the KHL.

Michael Nylander was a gifted center who helped the Rangers become a playoff team again. He was also perhaps the slowest skater in shootout history as he would slowly make his way up ice before deking and scoring. The Nylander bloodlines continue in the NHL with his sons William and Alexander both potential NHL stars.

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