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New York Rangers: The best undrafted players in franchise history

By Steve Paulus

TAMPA, FL - MAY 22: Martin St. Louis
TAMPA, FL - MAY 22: Martin St. Louis /
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NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (5) skates during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on February 25, 2017, at the Prudential Center in Newark,NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 25: New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (5) skates during the third period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on February 25, 2017, at the Prudential Center in Newark,NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

#2 – Dan Girardi

As maligned as Dan Girardi was by the end of his career as a Ranger, he has to rank as one of the best undrafted free agent signings in Ranger history. Although he was a member of the Memorial Cup winning London Knights in 2005, he was not drafted and remained unsigned until Sather offered him a minor league contract that summer. Not even invited to training camp, Girardi started his pro career in the ECHL before he was quickly promoted to Hartford. In the middle of his second year at Hartford, he was brought up to replace an injured Dariuis Kasparaitis and never looked back.

Girardi went on to play 11 years and 788 games in New York.  From 2008 to 2017 he averaged over two blocked shots per game and led the league in that category in 2010-11 with 236. Girardi epitomized grit as he played through numerous injuries and he was an All-Star in 2012 . Through no fault of his, Sather signed Girardi to a  six-year, $33 million contract in 2014 at the same time that the years of blocked shots and tough minutes began to take their toll. The Rangers were forced to buy him out of his contract to clear cap space in the summer of 2017.

Girardi has gone on to have success with Tampa and has never played a game in the NHL without being in playoff contention, second only to  Chris Kunitz in that category. Another heart and soul player for the New York Rangers, Girardi’s solid career as Ryan McDonagh’s partner on the backline ranks him as the second best undrafted free agent signed by New York.

Getting nearly 800 games of NHL production out of someone who did not even get a training camp invite with their first professional contract is an insane return on investment.

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