The Brad Richards Derby has reached the finish line. Several outlets are reporting that Richards has signed with the New York Rangers, and the New York Post is saying the deal is for nine years and $58.5 million. SportsNet in Canada said Richards is getting $50 million over the first five years in yet another heavily frontloaded deal.
Richards was the best player in a weak free agent class. The Sabres opted against it and you can't blame them. He's a 31-year-old coming off a concussion and a season with a non-playoff team. It was a risk. We'll see what the Rangers get out of it.
And now we see who pays Tim Connolly. The Stars? The Leafs?
It's called stupid money, folks.
Stupid money update at 12:15 p.m.: TSN is now saying the deal is nine years, $60 million.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
