5 worst contracts signed in NY Rangers history feat. Wade Redden

By Nestor Quixtan

Modified Jul 23, 2024 02:20 GMT

The NY Rangers have been a savvy team over the years. The club has managed to steer clear of terrible contracts. However, the Rangers are not immune to making bad deals. Like any other club, the Blue Shirts have had their fair share of bad judgment calls.

So, here’s a look at the five worst deals in NY Rangers history.

5 worst contracts signed in NY Rangers history

#5: Bobby Holik

In 2002, the Rangers attempted to make a splash by signing Holik to a five-year, $45 million deal. However, Holik saw his point totals immediately dip in New York.

He had a relative bounce-back year in his second season, but the 2004-05 lockout changed the Rangers’ salary structure. So, Holik’s contract was bought out in 2005 to save the Rangers $6.726 million in cap space.

Holik would go on to play three more seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers before spending his final season with the Devils.

#4: Brad Richards

Richard had enjoyed a solid career with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Dallas Stars before joining the NY Rangers. Richards won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2004 when the Bolts claimed their first Stanley Cup.

By 2011, Richards was coming off a 28-goal, 77-point campaign with the Dallas Stars. That prompted the Rangers to sign Richards to a massive nine-year, $58.5 million contract, carrying a $6.5 million AAV.

While Richards notched 25 goals in 2011-12, his point total plummeted the following year. Following a 20-goal campaign in 2013-14, the Rangers chose to buy out the remainder of his contract.

Richards played two more seasons but failed to regain his scoring touch.

#3: Chris Drury

Drury had a string of successful seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres, with a brief stop in Calgary, consistently hitting the 20-goal mark. But following a 37-goal campaign in 2006-07, the Rangers decided to bet big on Drury.

The Rangers signed Drury to a five-year, $35.25 million deal in 2007. While Drury hit the 20-goal mark the following two seasons, he never regained the 30-goal form he’d found in Buffalo.

In 2009-10, Drury managed 14 goals in 77 games. By 2011, he was done after one goal in 24 games.

#2: Scott Gomez

The Rangers signed Gomez to a seven-year, $51.5 million contract following several good seasons with the New Jersey Devils.

However, Gomez failed to live up to the expectations after two seasons in New York. So, the Rangers traded Gomez to the Montreal Canadiens in 2009. In return, the Rangers got Ryan McDonagh.

Ultimately, the Rangers were able to get out from under Gomez’s contract. However, the deal remains one of the worst judgment calls in team history.

#1: Wade Redden

Wade Redden was a second-overall pick for the New York Islanders but found himself involved in a complex, three-team deal that saw him get to Ottawa via the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Redden played 11 seasons with the Senators before signing a six-year, $39 million deal with the Rangers in 2008. The $6.5 million AAV was astronomical at the time but seen as worthwhile given Redden’s track record.

Unfortunately, the NY Rangers immediately regretted the deal. Redden had a bad 2008-09 season but had an even worse 2009-10 season. He was placed on waivers and never played for the Rangers again. New York eventually bought out his contract in 2013, allowing him to sign with the St. Louis Blues.

After appearing in 23 games for the Blues, he was shipped off to Boston, where he played six more games. That was the end for Wade Redden.