It is now official: Brad Richards is a Ranger. It took $58.5 million over nine seasons to lure Richards to the Big Apple, but the Rangers have now signed the top free agent available this off-season. The deal is front-loaded so that Richards will make $50 million in the first five seasons. Marian Gaborik is just about the happiest person in New York State at this moment as he now has a supreme playmaker to set him up. Richards is a big-time player and will likely not be intimidated by New York and all that goes with living in Manhattan. Although it was insanely expensive, score a big win for Ranger management here.