2011 NHL Free Agency Rumors: 10 Reasons the Rangers Need to Sign Brad Richards

With the Stanley Cup Playoffs in full swing and with so many teams just biding their time until they can make a play at free agents, what better time than now to discuss the Brad Richards saga?

For many months there have been rumors swirling about potential suitors for the coveted free-agent center. One of these teams is the New York Rangers.

This slideshow will provide 10 bona fide reasons why the Rangers need to get Brad Richards.

1) Rangers Lack a No. 1 Center

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

WASHINGTON - MARCH 18: Center Mark Messier #11 of the New York Rangers skates on the ice during the game against the Washington Capitals at the MCI Center on March 18, 2004 in Washington, DC. The Capitals defeated the Rangers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by M

The Rangers have not had a legitimate and established No. 1 center since the "Captain" Mark Messier hung up his skates.

No offense to Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Michael Nylander, etc., but neither of them was the player Messier was.

I am comparing Richards to Messier only in the sense that they both are quality first-line centers who can pass the puck.

The Rangers have wingers like Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Marian Gaborik. They are all capable of putting the puck in the net but not at an elite rate. Adding a center like Richards could change that.

Richards has averaged a point total of 74 over the last six seasons and has also averaged 51 assists or more. The only asterisk associated with Brad Richards is that he played in only 56 games in the 2008/09 season.

Putting Brad Richards on the Rangers first line would immediately make them better and would add a first rate passer to the fold.

2) Rangers Are Seeking a Power Play Quarterback

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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 13: Bryan McCabe #28 of the New York Rangers takes the shot against the Washington Capitals in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 13, 2011 in Washingt

As explained in the previous slide, Brad Richards is a good passer and his assists numbers attest to this. While he is no Daniel Sedin, Richards can still connect with a surging winger en route to a goal or two.

This year the Rangers' power play was dreadful, to say the least. In an attempt to improve this, they acquired Bryan McCabe. However, this move didn't pan out like Glen Sather intended it too.

Enter Brad Richards. Richards can move the puck with speed and ease, and also is not hesitant to take a shot if needed. Richards poses a dual threat as both an accurate shooter and passer.

3) Rangers Lack Star Power

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: Goalie Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers adjusts his mask against the Washington Capitals in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April

When it comes to superstars, the Rangers are definitely lacking. Besides Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers are comprised of a cocktail of young talent and pricey contracts, sprinkled with a garnish of aging veterans.

New York City is the media capital of the world. Everyone remembers the hoopla and fanfare that was a product of the Carmelo Anthony trade and Amare Stoudemire signing.

The Rangers, who share Madison Square Garden with the Knicks, will look to add some of their own star power this offseason. 

4) If the Rangers Don't Sign Him, Someone Else Will

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

MONTREAL, QC - JUNE 27: General Manager and President Glen Sather of the New York Rangers works the phones during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft at the Bell Centre on June 27, 2009 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

While this may be the most obvious of slides, it is the most important.

Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Los Angeles Kings are all salivating about the possibility of signing Brad Richards. Glen Sather needs to do everything in his power to acquire Richards without breaking the bank.

5) Rangers Lack a Gun Slinger

While the Rangers would like Brad Richards for his passing abilities, they would love him for his scoring abilities.

The Rangers haven't had a legitimate and consistent scorer since the departure of Jaromir Jagr.

Jaromir Jagr had 109 goals and 181 assists for 290 points in three seasons with the Rangers and 54 goals and 123 points was his season high.

The Rangers Marian Gaborik had 42 goals and 44 assists for 86 points last season, and while Gaborik is a talented scorer, he is not a consistent scorer.

Brad Richards could help to fill this void.

6) Marian Gaborik Needs a Line Mate

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 31: Marian Gaborik #10 of the New York Rangers skates against the New York Islanders at the Nassau Coliseum on March 31, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The previous slide highlighted Gaborik as the Rangers' leading scorer, since the departure of Jaromir Jagr. However, this seemed to be short-lived as Gaborik's numbers were down this year.

The key to Gaborik's first season in the Big Apple was consistent line mates. For the better part of that season, Gaborik and Prospal were like PB&J.

They fed off each other well, which was one of the reasons Prospal almost hit the 60-point mark (Prospal fell short by two with 58 points).

Is Brad Richards the Ying to Gaborik's Yang? The only way to find out is to sign Richards.

7) Richards Would Be a Great Mentor to Derek Stepan

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: Derek Stepan #21 of the New York Rangers skates against the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on April 4, 2011 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Bruins 5-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

If Derek Stepan's rookie season is any indication of what his career has in store, the Rangers will be very happy. Stepan had a respectable first season in the NHL with 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points. By all accounts, it was a good start for a player making the jump from college.

Richards brings the experience of a Stanley Cup Champion and an international gold medalist in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. Richards has also played for the Canadian Olympic team.

Sharing this experience in a team practice would be priceless to a young center like Derek Stepan

Stepan could be the Rangers No. 1 center in the future, and if he can pick up a thing or two from Richards, he could become a future 65 to 85-point man.

Brad Richards can surely help Derek Stepan and other centers like Artem Ansimov and Brian Boyle.

8) Rangers Need a Veteran Player

Jonathan Klein/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 09: Chris Drury #23 of the New York Rangers skates in warmups prior to the game against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jonathan Klein/Getty Images)

Given the trades and contract buyouts the Rangers would have to make in order to provide ample room to sign Brad Richards, it would probably strip them of some veterans in the process.

Brad Richards would fill this void.

Brad Richards has the experience and talent needed to help lead the Broadway Blueshirts.

9) There Arent Many Other Options

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BUFFALO, NY - APRIL 18: Tim Connolly #19 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Philadelphia Flyers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at HSBC Arena at HSBC Arena on April 18, 2011 in Buffalo,

If the Rangers don't get Brad Richards, there aren't many other players they can go after that fit the mold the Rangers are looking for.

There are free agents like Brooks Laich, Tim Connolly, Jason Arnott and Michael Handzus on the market, but they are no Brad Richards.

10) Richards Looks Great in a Rangers Uniform

Photo Credit to: Phil Kocher

Just looking at this amazing photoshopped image gives Rangers' fans goosebumps. While this is just an opinion, this may be a dream come true on July 1st, 2011.

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