New York Rangers signs veteran centre Brad Richards to monstrous 9-year $60 million deal –NHL Update
One of the biggest deals of the 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) Free Agency took place on Saturday as former Dallas Stars' superstar and number-one prospect amongst all free agents, Brad Richards, signed to a huge nine-year, $60 million contract with New York Rangers.
Fed up with not making a big impact on Dallas’s line-up with his abilities and staying out of the playoffs for three straight seasons, Richards rejected the idea of re-signing with his four-season long team.
Richards is certainly grateful that the wait is over, since his decision to leave came right after the regular season ended, but could not move anywhere since his contract was to expire on July 1, 2011.
"The phone will probably get thrown in a lake later today and we'll get on with just relaxing", Richards said. "You have to respect the process but I'm not a person that likes to wait around for something to happen and it's kind of been like that for 60, 70 days knowing that nothing can happen until July 1”.
The 31-year-old centre was drafted as the 64th overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by Tampa Bay Lightning, a team which he won the Stanley Cup with in 2004 and spent seven of 11 total seasons with, following a trade during the 2007-2008 season, sending him to Dallas Stars.
The native of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, Canada, had some of his best seasons with Dallas, scoring 77 points, 28 goals and 49 assists, in the last 72 games alone, but felt as if the club was not enough to handle his abilities which were going to waste.
Blaming the club for not being able to find a new ownership which could rejuvenate the team, Richards decided not to re-sign and look for more opportunities instead.
Money was never a concern for Richards as he accepted a lower offer to join a strong Rangers' team.
"I'm happy that he has decided to come here and I'm happy he has decided to come here at a reduced rate in comparison to what he would've got somewhere else'', said Rangers' general manager, Glen Sather.
It will certainly be exciting to see how New York benefits from Richards' addition when the new season starts in October.
Tags: