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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 – DECEMBER 12: Michal Rozsival #33 of the New York Rangers skates against the Washington Capitals on December 12, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 12: Michal Rozsival #33 of the New York Rangers skates against the Washington Capitals on December 12, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

#7: Michal Rozsival (2005)

When the Rangers signed 27-year old defenseman Michal Rozsival to a one-year contract the summer of 2005, it bare made a ripple. At $703k it was a bargain basement deal and was one of the most savvy of Glen Sather’s signings. As one of Jaromir Jagr’s “Czech-mates,” Rozsival played all 82 games with five goals and 30 points. He led the team in plus/minus with +35.

Sather re-signed the defenseman to a two year deal at a reasonable $2.1 million per year and Rozsival continued to contribute as a top defenseman on a good Ranger team, notching career highs in goals (13)  and assists (40).  In April, 2007, Rozsival scored in double overtime in the playoffs against Buffalo. That goal ended the longest home playoff game for the Rangers in over 35 years.

Michal Rozsival makes a lot of lists as one of the worst free agent signings in Ranger history, because of his third contract with New York. Rather than lose him, Sather gave him a four-year, $20 million contract at a time when his career was beginning to decline. The Rangers were able to shed that contract in its third year when they traded Rozsival to Phoenix for Wojtek Wolski.

Rozsival went on to play six more seasons in the NHL and to win two Stanley Cups as a stalwart on the Chicago Blackhawks blueline. While his Ranger career went south due to a ridiculous contract, he still has to rank as one of the better free agent signings in team history.

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