Center Brad Richards, the big prize in this year's National Hockey League free agent sweepstakes, has signed with the New York Rangers, the team said Saturday. Richards, a proven scorer backed up with a championship pedigree, was hotly pursued by several teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames but decided on the Rangers and a nine-year deal worth a reported $58.5 million, according to media reports. The 31-year-old unrestricted free agent led the Dallas Stars in scoring last season with 28 goals and 77 points and has twice scored more than 90 points in a single campaign. Richards helped the Tampa Bay Lightning win a Stanley Cup in 2004, claiming the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs most valuable player. In post-season play, Richards has appeared in 63 career contests with the Lightning and Stars, registering 21 goals and 62 points. With Richards off the market the free agency frenzy lost much of its steam as teams put the breaks on a furious 24 hour shopping spree that had seen more than 50 players signed and nearly $300 million in contracts written. While most general managers spent Friday wading through what was described as a shallow free agent pool, several teams paid a visit to Richard's agents in Toronto to make their pitch for the All-Star center. Turned down by Richards, the Maple Leafs and Kings turned their attention to other options. Toronto, in desperate need of help down the middle, quickly scooped up Buffalo Sabres Tim Connolly by inking the center to a two-year deal reported by local media to be worth $4.75 million per season. Connolly, who had 13 goals and 29 assists for the Sabres last season, will be pencilled in as the center on Toronto's top line. The Kings added some scoring punch to their lineup by signing left wing Simon Gagne to a two-year deal. Taken in the first round of the 1998 NHL draft, Gagne has twice scored more than 40 goals in a season. Flyers sign Jagr The Philadelphia Flyers agreed to terms with free agent Jaromir Jagr, the team said Friday after other clubs dropped out of the bidding for the five-time NHL scoring champion. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but local media said the Czech Republic forward, who has not played in the NHL since the 2007-2008 season, agreed to a one-year contract for $3.3 million.
