Brad Richards: 9 Bold Predictions for the New York Rangers' 2011-12 Season

The Rangers made a splash in free agency when they got their man in Brad Richards. He is an elite center with great hands and he is a catalyst and legitimate threat on the powerplay.

With great promotion and fanfare comes great expectations. Many critics question his abilities and wonder if Richards will be blinded by the bright lights that accompany the Broadway stage of Madison Square Garden.

Brad Richards was presented with his Non. 19 jersey by children last week during a skating party to benefit the Garden of Dreams foundation so please understand that this wonderful Photoshop was made by good friend Phil Kocher before Richards signed in New York.

Brad Richards signed a nine-year $60 million contract. 

With that number in mind, here are some bold predictions for Brad Richards and his first season with the New York Rangers.

Marian Gaborik Will Score 40-45 Goals with Richards

The Rangers acquired Brad Richards to attempt to two key holes in their lineups. The key word is they are attempting to fix these holes.

Adding Brad Richards to the equation is no guarantee for sure fire success but he is a good solution for the Rangers' problem.

Marian Gaborik is a talented goal scorer that really has never played with a true No. 1 center before. 

If he could score 80 plus points with Vinny Prospal, there is no reason why Gaborik with his speed and Richards' talented playmaking abilities shouldn't put up 40-45 goals. 

Wojtek Wolski Will Not Complete the Top Line Trio

Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards are quite the dynamic duo but they need a third amigo or musketeer too complete the trifecta.

Wojtek Wolski currently is the front runner to fill this void but with some of the Rangers' RFA's going to arbitration, it opens up a second buyout for the Rangers to shed salary. 

The Rangers have $12.8 million left in cap space  to sign Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Brian Boyle.

Wolski can be bought out at a discounted rate because of his under age 26 status.

According to Cap Geek his buyout would come with a cap hit of $467,000 this year  and $667,000 for 2012-13.

This would save the Rangers $3.3 million this season off their books that could allow them some wiggle room if they want to go after a top line left winger.

His buyout is an option but it is possible that Derek Stepan may be given a shot on the top line.

Brad Richards Will Score 30 Goals

Brad Richards has never hit the 30-goal plateau during his entire NHL career. He scored 28 goals in a season that was shortened by a concussion Richards suffered.

Brad Richards will play alongside Marian Gaborik and a line mate to be named later.

During the many interviews that Brad Richards has gone through during his transition to NY he has stated that he is entering the prime of his career and he is in the best shape of his life.

When you add all of these variable it is possible for Richards to score at least 30 goals this season.

Brad Richards will put up major assist totals as well but he should be able to score 30 goals with Marian Gaborik's help.

Brad Richards Will Tutor Michael Del Zotto on the Power Play

Michael Del Zotto had a good rookie season for the Rangers when he put up nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points in 2009-10.

After getting off to a bad start this season he was banished to the Whale Pack for " further seasoning."

Michael Del Zotto is a promising young puck moving defenseman. He has a lot to learn but Richards could really put Del Zotto in a position to succeed on the power play.

Del Zotto seemed unsure at times when he was the quarterback on the power play. If he has the option to defer to Richards, he can avoid making errant passes that kill the power play's momentum.

Del Zotto is one of the players that can benefit most from Brad Richards.

Brad Richards Will Be Named Captain

This is a bold prediction but it is not unreasonable. Brad Richards is a Stanley Cup winner and a Conn Smythe winner. He has played in many high pressure situations and has had success.

Ryan Callahan has been groomed to eventually take over as team captain but many feel that Richards may step stone over him en route to wearing the captain's "C."

Coach John Tortorella has said that he hasn't given any thought to who the team captain will be yet. Training camp should make it clear for him who the true leader of this team will be.

At a last resort, Richards should at least wear an "A" on his chest.

Brad Richards Will Play out His Entire Contract

Here comes a bold prediction.

This may seem a little out there but just consider this fact.

John Tortorella's relationship with Richards will allow Tortorella to place Richards in an acceptable position in the lineup if his play drops off with age.

This friendship and relationship will essentially protect Richards from a potential buyout.

There is no reason that Brad Richards can't play well at 38, 39, or 40 years of age when Mark Recchi just retired at age 43 and Teemu Selanne and Nicklas Lidstrom are still skating at age 40.

Richards successfully playing out his contract could reassure the fan base's faith in signing marquee free agents.

Rangers Will Finish 6th in the Eastern Conference

After signing Brad Richards, the $64.3 million question at the end of the day is do the Rangers have enough talent to be the favorites to win the Eastern Conference this year?

The Rangers have a lot of talent. They have a world class goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist, a top playmaker in Brad Richards, and a sniper in Marian Gaborik.

However there are so many other talented teams in the NHL let alone in the Eastern Conference.

This may comes as a disappointment to fans but the Rangers will most likely finish anywhere from fifth to seventh in the Eastern Conference.

When you consider that the majority of the Rangers' lineup is made up of homegrown and young players this is not anything to sneer at.

In the long run, the Rangers have a legitimate shot of having playoff success in years to come.

Brad Richards Will Put Up 85 Points or More

Brad Richards' career high points total in a season is 91 points

The Rangers acquired him because he has been known to put up points in the past. They needed to fill an obvious hole on their power play.

He is a skilled passer so it is expect that he will put up most his points by assisting Marian Gaborik and countless others on the power play.

Expecting about 25 goals and 60 assists from Brad Richards is very reasonable for player of his caliber.

Brad Richards has played in high pressure situations before so New York should not be a problem for him.

Brad Richards Will Be Named to All-Star Team

Brad Richards would love to represent his new team at this year's All-Star Game. Every player dreams of playing in an All-Star Game alongside some of the best players in the game. Wayne Gretzky cherished the opportunity he had playing alongside Gordie Howe in an All-Star Game.

If Richards can get off to a fast start with the Rangers, there is no reason why the Rangers' star forward shouldn't represent the Blueshirts at the 2012 All-Star Game in Ottawa.

Richards was an All-Star last season for the Dallas Stars and he would love to make another appearance.

Comments, Questions, Concerns ?

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist and is a member of  Bleacher Report's Official 2011 NHL Free Agency Coverage Team. For more NHL free agent news, updates and alerts about players:

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