Rangers sign Richards to nine-year deal

NHL Notebook

July 03, 2011|Associated Press

After a day of being wooed by teams around the NHL, Brad Richards picked the one that was the front-runner all along - the New York Rangers.

Richards, considered the biggest prize in this year’s underwhelming free agent market, struck it rich yesterday when he agreed to a nine-year, $60 million deal. The 31-year-old center will be reunited with coach John Tortorella, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’ll be alongside Marian Gaborik on New York’s revamped top line. Richards posted a career-high 28 goals and 49 assists last season with the Dallas Stars.

The Rangers hope Richards will power their top line and run their often struggling power play.

Kings lock up Gagne Left wing Simon Gagne agreed to terms on a two-year, $7 million deal with the Los Angeles Kings. Gagne is a seven-time 20-goal scorer who spent his first 10 NHL seasons with Philadelphia. The Flyers traded him last summer to Tampa Bay, and Gagne had 17 goals and 23 assists in the regular season and added 15 playoff points … The Maple Leafs signed center Tim Connolly to a two-year, $9.5 million contract … Former Florida goaltender Tomas Vokoun signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Capitals … The Red Wings agreed to terms with defenseman Ian White on a two-year, $5.75 million deal. He is expected to fill the void created by Brian Rafalski’s retirement … The Oilers signed No. 1 overall pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to a three-year, entry-level contract.