chicot60
07-02-2011, 07:13 PM
BY SPORTSNET STAFF
sportsnet.ca
The biggest fish in the free agent pool is off the market. Brad Richards has decided to sign a nine-year, $60-million contract with the New York Rangers.
The contract will be a front-loaded deal, with Richards making $50 million in the first five years. It's believed Richards left some money on the table, taking fewer dollars to sign in New York, where he will be re-united with head coach John Tortorella.
Several teams made pitches to the unrestricted free agent beginning at 12 noon on Friday, with the front-runners believed to have been the Rangers and Los Angeles Kings.
By Friday night, Richards told Sportsnet that he had narrowed his options down to four or five teams, a group which was believed to have included the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames. The Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens also believed to be interested in Richards' services.
Richards missed some action last season due to a concussion, but still posted 77 points (28 goals, 49 assists) in 72 games. He spent the last four seasons with the Stars after being acquired via trade from the Lightning in Feb. of 2008.
The Murray Harbour, P.E.I., native began his NHL career with the Lightning, winning a Stanley Cup under Tortorella in 2003-04. He led all playoff scorers that year, finishing with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 23 games and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the post-season.
Richards was a third-round pick (64th overall) of the Lightning in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2011/07/02/richards_decision/
sportsnet.ca
The biggest fish in the free agent pool is off the market. Brad Richards has decided to sign a nine-year, $60-million contract with the New York Rangers.
The contract will be a front-loaded deal, with Richards making $50 million in the first five years. It's believed Richards left some money on the table, taking fewer dollars to sign in New York, where he will be re-united with head coach John Tortorella.
Several teams made pitches to the unrestricted free agent beginning at 12 noon on Friday, with the front-runners believed to have been the Rangers and Los Angeles Kings.
By Friday night, Richards told Sportsnet that he had narrowed his options down to four or five teams, a group which was believed to have included the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames. The Philadelphia Flyers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens also believed to be interested in Richards' services.
Richards missed some action last season due to a concussion, but still posted 77 points (28 goals, 49 assists) in 72 games. He spent the last four seasons with the Stars after being acquired via trade from the Lightning in Feb. of 2008.
The Murray Harbour, P.E.I., native began his NHL career with the Lightning, winning a Stanley Cup under Tortorella in 2003-04. He led all playoff scorers that year, finishing with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 23 games and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the post-season.
Richards was a third-round pick (64th overall) of the Lightning in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2011/07/02/richards_decision/