The Decision

So begins day 2 of the Brad Richards Sweepstakes with the Rangers still a front runner though it has been reported they are not the high bidders. It also appears that the there's a lot of money and possible trades awaiting Richards' decision. This has been a decision Ranger fans have been anticipating for a year or so. The idea has been, if we can get him for 7 or less for 5 or less, it would be an acceptable deal. The market seems to be a little higher and longer than that. Perhaps, optimally, the Rangers would back out and pursue whatever their plan B is. But a couple of things that happened Friday, made me think Richards is at least part of plan A, B and C.

Here are the things: first; everyone is getting overpaid and that will have to include the best player on the market, Brad Richards. Second; the Rangers signed Mike Rupp. Mike Rupp is a gritty, tough forward who was once a third round pick of Gordie Clark's when he was with the Islanders. Rupp also won a Stanley Cup with the Devils, and chasing a Cup seems to be part of the Rangers 2011 pitch. Third; they re-signed Ruslan Fedotenko , another gritty veteran forward who does the little things that help a team win. At first it seemed Rupp and Feds would keep Hagelin or another kid off the roster. Now, it seems much more likely an Avery or Christenson or both is facing an August buyout or trip to the AHL. Fourth; late in the day, word started to spread that the Rangers would be making a trade for a Left Wing to play on the top line.

Putting aside the deal for a second, Brad Richards was always a perfect fit for the Rangers. He was one of the stars on Tortorella's 2004 Tampa Bay Cup Winners. So he knows the coach and the system. He is a player who demonstrably makes the players around him better. He is a consistent threat to score 90 points, and a reliable two way player. Oh, and he is a terrific power play QB. So he would basically solve most of the Rangers current scoring issues by electrifying Gaborik and the power play.

As for the the Left Wing move. I don't know who that will be, but I do know that the wild spending on defensemen on the first day of the draft upped the trade value of every one of the defensemen the Rangers control. So they have the ammo for a significant move for a front line LW.

In all, the plan that is emerging is one designed to make the Rangers into Cup Contenders this year rather than next. Adding Richards and Rupp with cup credentials and bringing back Feds is going to push the underachieving vets off the roster, not the kids. The kids, at least in the short to mid term will benefit from having former cup winners around.

We'll see which Wing they trade for, but I am leaning toward making the deal for Richards and going for a Cup. So hopefully , Richards chooses Broadway. Go Rangers!