A quiet free agency period for the Rangers

The New York Rangers, for the first time in a long time, didn’t even bother to really dip their toes into the high end free agency market. "We did reach out to few free agents but their asking prices were far beyond to what we could afford after a big year last year, we simply moved on" Auzins was quoted. 
Aside from a two "smallish" three-year deals for Jason Spezza and Dan Girardi, a two-year deal to Adam MqQuaid, and re-signing Ryan McDonagh to a team-friendly four-year deal, Auzins enjoyed the first day of Free Agency mostly in silence.

And really, that was for the best.

As all the crazy deals would be thrown around, the solid bargain signings would be sitting around waiting for a contract. He wasn’t wrong. October 15th was crazy.

Auzins didn’t try to make a big splash with Nick Foligno (who had been linked to the Rangers as his “boyhood team”), but did watch the Senators lock down the 25-30-goal scorer to an enormous three-year, $20-million dollar deal. 
He didn’t go after names like Ryan Getzlaf (reportedly signing a three-year deal in Anaheim), or David Perron (who was signed to a huge three-year, $27-million deal). 

Even the players the Rangers were linked to, signed elsewhere as Auzins (smartly) watched. 
Marian Gaborik had been Auzins target for a week, but the Rangers allowed the Vegas to make that mistake — with a two-year, $7-million deal for the 36-year-old, declining winger, who might be not even return to ice. 
Sure, Sabres protected Auzins from himself by signing Kevin Shattenkirk to a three-year, $16-million deal, but that was really the only mistake the Rangers were reportedly going to make. 
Ben Bishop went to Los Angeles for four years at $23-million, T.J. Oshie got the exact same deal from Toronto but only at 2 years, as well. 
All players who had been linked to the Rangers in one way or another.

Auzins didn’t even make a play at some of the smarter risks; or if he did it wasn’t publicized. Chris Kunitz being the main example, as he went to Colorado on a one-year, $2-million deal.

NEW YORK, October 18th - New York Rangers general manager Martin Auzins today announced the signing of centre Jason Spezza to a three-year agreement.

Spezza, 35, had a solid year in 2017-18, recording 16 goals and 23 assists for 39 points in his fourth EHE season.
In 285 career games with Minnessota and Colorado, Spezza has recorded 92 goals, 126 assists, 218 points and 77 penalty minutes.

"Jason is a world-class player and his commitment to the organization is a reflection of what we are building in New York," general manager Martin Auzins said in a team statement. 
"The professionalism and production he brings to our group is key for our success moving forward and we value the leadership he brings to our team."

The concern with this deal is that Spezza is already 35, so we are going to be paying a steep price for what should be his declining years in the EHE. The price tag is a little high from a dollar perspective, especially with Spezza's back problems in recent years, but the term isn't terrible at three years.
It's a risk, but it might have been one they had to take. Even if Spezza's production does begin to tail off over the next couple of years, he still should be a very useful player in a third-line role.
 

NEW YORK, October 18th - New York Rangers general manager Martin Auzins today announced the signing of defenseman Dan Girardi to a three-year agreement.

Girardi, 34, had a respectable year in 2017-18, recording 2 goals and 17 assists for 19 points in his fourth EHE season.
In 294 career games with Blues, Canadiens and Capitals, Girardi has recorded 17 goals, 69 assists, 86 points and 396 penalty minutes.

Dan Girardi may not be a solid two-way defenseman like Drew Doughty, but he definitely comes with a defensive upside for the New York Rangers.
 

NEW YORK, October 18th - New York Rangers general manager Martin Auzins today announced the signing of defenseman Adam McQuaid to a two-year agreement.

McQuaid, 32, had a respectable year in 2017-18, recording 3 goals and 15 assists for 18 points in his fourth and final season with the Oilers.
In 272 career games with Oilers, McQuaid has recorded 9 goals, 44 assists, 53 points and 125 penalty minutes.

He’s known as a tough, physical defender with a big 6-foot-4 frame. McQuaid is now the second-oldest defenseman on the Rangers blue line, with Dan Girardi as his only senior.
 

NEW YORK, October 18th - New York Rangers general manager Martin Auzins today announced the signing of forward Gabriel Fontaine to a three-year agreement.

Fontaine has played 194 career games in QMJHL. He recorded 47 goals, 70 assists, 117 points and 119 penalty minutes.

A responsible two-way center with quality hockey smarts and instincts that is looking for an offensive breakout.