10 best free agent signings in New York Rangers history
By Steve Paulus
#5: Pierre Larouche (1983)
“Lucky Pierre” Larouche was a top goal scorer who had been the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals with two different teams (Pittsburgh and Montreal). He had already been traded twice when he was declared a free agent after he refused to sign a termination contract with the Hartford Whalers after suffering a back injury.
The Rangers leaped at the chance to sign a player with a deft scoring touch, but a sketchy reputation.
In his first season, Larouche lived up to his reputation as a goal scorer with 48, the second most in team history. His .71 goals per game average still ranks as the third best in team history. He is one of only 10 Rangers to get three hat tricks in one season.
The Rangers of the 80’s had the misfortune of running into excellent Islanders and Flyers teams in the playoffs, losing to them in seven of eight playoff seasons. Larouche was one of Herb Brooks’ “Smurfs,” along with the likes of Mark Pavelich and Reijo Ruotsalainen.
Larouche went on to play three more seasons in New York and was a top offensive contributor. In 1985-86, in a bizarre move, rookie coach Ted Sator banished Larouche and other established Rangers to the minors.
When he scored 22 goals in 32 games in the AHL, the Rangers recalled him and he proved his demotion a folly by scoring 20 goals and averaging a point a game in the last 28 games of the season.
Larouche battled a chronic bad back throughout his career. It finally forced him into retirement after 10 games in 1987 at age 32. Even with the bad back he had 12 points in his last 10 games that season.