Wade Redden and 6 of the Worst Free Agent Contracts in New York Rangers History

The free agency period is a time where many hockey general managers attempt to cross off items from their Christmas lists.

The fanfare and spectacle that is NHL free agency sometimes is just too much for some general managers.

The current Rangers general manager is Glen Sather. He is notorious for handing out many horrendous and albatross contracts to players.

In the current CBA, Sather has shown some restraint when it comes to free agents as compared to his pre-cap spending sprees.

Without further ado, here are the six of the worst free agent signings in New York Rangers history.

6) Bobby Holik

At one point in time, Bobby Holik was a productive player for the New Jersey Devils. This did not follow him when he crossed the Hudson River to sign a  five-year, $45 million contract with the Rangers in 2002.

Holik really took advantage of a desperate Glen Sather. During his time with the Devils, Holik maxed out with 29 goals and 65 points during one season with the Devils.

Holik would go on to average 16 goals a year after spending two years with the Rangers before moving on to the Atlanta Thrashers after a contract buyout.

If you think this was a bad deal, I present exhibit five.

5) Darius Kasparitus

Darius Kasparitus was a Rangers-killer during most of his career spent with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

I guess Sather thought by buying him he would be doing a good thing. It didn't work out this time and it didn't' work out with Donald Brashear years later.

Darius Kasparitus collected a six-year, $25 million contract. During that tenure he played with the Rangers until the lockout and than rode out his contract in Hartford.

I guess Glen Sather didn't learn his lesson with Kasparitus that he went on to sign another bonehead defenseman. 

4) Michael Rozsival

Michael Rozsival was a player who was given a lovely contract extension by Mr Glen Sather in 2008. The $20 million deal over four years made Rangers fans cringe.

The thought of seeing Glen Sather dish out money to an underperforming defender like Rozsival makes you not question why Brandon Dubinsky is currently fighting for a fair day's wage.

Regardless, July 1st 2007 will go down as a day where fans rejoiced after Gomez and Drury were signed, but the following year is a time that will live in infamy

The Rangers were able to get rid of Rozsival when they traded him to Phoenix for Wojtek Wolski which was a trade not even a GM in EA Sports' NHL '11 would make.

3) Scott Gomez

In his first two seasons with the Rangers after signing his seven-year, $51.5 million contract, Gomez had 32 goals combined.

This is a bit disturbing to see after Gomez produced in New Jersey. Like Mr Holik, Mr. Gomez' talents sunk to the bottom of the Hudson when he signed his deal to come play in the Garden.

At $7.5 million a season that just doesn't cut it. At that point, Sather worked his trade magic and scooped up Ryan McDonagh, a top defensive prospect currently in the top four pairing for the Rangers.

Gomez would have been lower on this list had Sather not received a good return in the deal.

2) Chris Drury

It pains fans to talk about Captain Clutch in a negative way. He was one of the nicest guys in hockey and was a great leader for young players.

If bad contracts were in a book, his picture would be captioned.

Drury, coming off a 37 goal outburst with the Buffalo Sabres, was handed a five-year, $35.5 million deal by the Rangers on July 1st, 2007, the same day they inked Scott Gomez.

Dru had two average year as he tallied 47 goals. After those two seasons, Drury's production dropped off severely and he was demoted to playing as a third line center.

Drury however was an excellent face off man and penalty killers when he was healthy.

All that can be said about Drury is he was a good guy, good leader, and he was given a terrible contract.

1) Wade Redden

Like this was going to even be a big surprise, Wade Redden's name is synonymous with albatross contracts.

Wade Redden's game was going down hill and everyone seemed to know it but Glen Sather. Regardless, Redden scored a massive six-year, $39 million contract. 

In his first full season in New York, Redden scored a lackluster total of three goals and 26 points in 81 games.

Redden now spends his time skating with the Connecticut Whale of the AHL where he is the richest man in the league.

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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