NY Rangers Predictions: 5 Reasons Expectations Are Just Right for Brad Richards

The New York Rangers made a splash in free agency when they got their man in Brad Richards. He is an elite center with great hands and is a catalyst and legitimate power-play threat. In doing so, the Rangers gained the ire from critics, with the deep-pocked franchise once again getting labeled as "buying" wins and talent.

They were rightly criticized after signing him to a nine-year contract that would pay him $60 million. However, there was something different about this signing. The Rangers were signing a proven performer. They were signing a player who has hit the 90-point plateau; they were signing a proven winner and leader.

Many expectations were placed on Brad Richards heading into the 2011-12 NHL season. Here are five reasons why the expectations placed on Richards are just right.

1. Richards Has Played in High-Pressure Situations Before

When you think of big time hockey towns, cities like Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, New York and many others come to mind. Dallas, Texas and Tampa Bay, Florida don’t necessarily roll right off the tongue.

However, this did not stop Richards from coming through in the clutch during the 2003-04 Stanley Cup playoffs. To this date, Richards still holds the record for game-winning goals in the playoffs. He scored seven during the 03-04 Cup run.

In 23 playoff games, Richards scored 12 goals and assisted on 14 others for 26 points. Richards' overall play stood out enough for him to win the coveted Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs.

If this isn’t a high pressure for a 24-year-old, then I don’t know what is. 

2. Richards and Gáborik Are off to a Solid Start

Last year, Marián Gáborik had a terrible start. He got hurt early on in the season and never had consistency. What made matters worse was the fact that Vinny Prospal, Gáborik’s go-to guy the year before, missed a lot of regular-season games due to a nagging knee injury.

So far this season, Gáborik and Richards have looked solid. Gáborik has four goals and an assist.

In the video above, Richards was able to connect with Gáborik on a blue-line to blue-line pass enroute to a breakaway goal.

Richards great playmaking ability and hands will help the duo all year long.

Richards has a goal and an assist. Eleven points combined in six games isn’t a jaw-dropping stat, but it is impressive due to the lack of practice time the Rangers have had.

Once this pair clicks into high gear with their permanent left winger, the duo could be very dangerous to face.

3. Richards Is a Consistent Scorer

Heading to New York, many critics felt Richards would be sucked into the dark-hole vortex hidden beneath the Garden ice. Some feel that this vortex sucks all the offensive ability out of players. Critics will have no problem using the names Chris Drury, Scott Gomez and Eric Lindros in the same conversation.

However, throughout his career, Richards has consistently put forward 60, 70, 80 and two 91-point campaigns. The last five years, barring an injury in 08-09, Richards has scored at least 60 points.

Richards should have no problem exceeding this total if he continues to have good chemistry with Marián Gáborik.

4. Richards Is a Skilled Power-Play Quarterback

The second reason the Rangers inked Richards to a long contract was they coveted his power-play skills. Richards is a skilled passer and has a potent point shot.

Richards has 74 career power-play goals and has earned many of his 500 career assists while on the power play. The dual-threat nature of Richards makes him a threat so there is no reason why he shouldn’t at least live up the power-play aspect of his contract.

This video illustrates the skilled hands of Richards as a playmaker. Richards finds Stepan across the ice who sets up Gáborik with a great scoring opportunity.

5. Richards Is Mature and Has Learned from Last Contract

Brad Richards is a 31-year-old center. He is no longer a youngster in the league. When Richards signed his last contract, he was younger and felt the pressure to live up to his contract.

Now that Richards is more mature and wiser, he understands the conditions that came with signing a big contract. He is in great shape and has showed no signs of post concussion symptoms like many feared he would.

Richards knows his role and so do the fans. He is not like the previous free-agent signings to grace the Garden Ice. He knows his role, and he can perform to the stipulations of his contract.

At age 31 with years of experience under his belt, Richards should have no problem playing in New York.

Comments, Questions, Concerns?

What do you expect from Brad Richards? What do you think he will do during his tenure in New York? Will he win another Stanley Cup?

Leave a comment or question in the section below to get the conversation going.

Tom Urtz Jr is an NHL Featured Columnist. For more NHL free-agent news, updates and alerts about players: