NEW YORK, July 4 (UPI) -- In desperate need of a goaltender, the New York Rangers on Thursday signed longtime netminder Mike Richter to a multi-year contract.
Terms of the deal were not specified but reports put the contract at two years for a $8 million. Even though Richter has played only for the Rangers in his 14-year career, they actually signed him away from the Edmonton Oilers, who acquired him just before the re-signing deadline on Sunday night. Edmonton will be compensated with a draft pick.
The 35-year-old Richter was a disappointing 24-26-4 with a 2.95 goals-against average in 2001-02. He has been hampered by injuries over the last two seasons but is the Rangers' all-time leader in games played by a goaltender (653) and wins (296).
"Mike Richter is synonymous with the tradition and class of this organization and we are excited to have him remain in a Rangers sweater," said Rangers general manager Glen Sather. "He is among the elite goaltenders in the league and has been the cornerstone of this franchise for several years."
The signing comes on the heels of two big acquisitions by the Rangers, who have not reached the postseason since 1996-97. On Monday, the team shelled out $45 million over five years for center Bobby Holik and the next day locked up defenseman Darius Kasparaitis to a six-year, $27 million deal.
