The New York Rangers have agreed to terms with free agent center Brad Richards, according to a report by TSN in Canada.
Considered by many to be the biggest name on the 2011 free agency market, Richards' deal is reportedly worth $58.5 million over nine years. Calgary, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Toronto were all rumored to be in the hunt for Richards as well.
The 64th overall pick in the 1998 NHL draft, Richards made his debut with the Lightning in 2000 and helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in 2004. With 12 goals and 14 assists in 23 playoff games that spring, Richards was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
A late-season trade in 2008 sent Richards to Dallas, where he put up 15 points in 18 playoff games for the Stars. Last season he tallied 28 goals and 49 assists in 72 games for Dallas.
The 31-year-old has 220 goals and 496 assists in 772 career games.
