NEW YORK, July 10 -- The New York Rangers Monday signed unrestricted free agent defenseman Vladimir Malakhov away from the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils, completing the first of what they hope will be a few big offseason deals.
With reports indicating that former captain Mark Messier is on his way back to Broadway and that the Devils veteran Claude Lemieux also may make the trip across the Hudson River, the Rangers secured Malakhov to an undisclosed deal.
The eight-year veteran missed the first 54 games with Montreal last season and was suspended after he was found skiing while on injured reserve. He was traded to New Jersey on March 1 for defensemen Sheldon Souray and Josh DeWolf, then recorded a goal and four assists in 25 games down the stretch.
Malakhov added a goal and four assists in 23 playoff games, helping New Jersey to its second Stanley Cup title in six years
The 6-4, 230-pounder has 70 goals, 201 assists and 477 penalty minutes in 466 NHL games with the New York Islanders, Canadiens and Devils. He has seven goals and 14 assists in 58 career playoff contests.
A native of Ekaterinburg, Malakhov played four seasons with CSKA Moscow in the Russian Elite League before being taken by the Islanders in the 12th round of the 1989 NHL draft.
The New York Daily News is reporting Messier will receive $11 million, which would be commensurate with the $5.5 million a year contract veteran defenseman Ray Bourque recently signed with Colorado.NEWLN:
