By BRETT CYRGALIS
On what is almost always the most entertaining day in hockey that doesnât involve the actual playing of the sport, the Rangers did not sit dormant at yesterdayâs opening of the free-agent market.
The Blueshirts addressed one of, if not the biggest concern of last year when they signed D Wade Redden from Ottawa (6 years, $6.5-million per) and resigned D Michal Rozsival (4 years, $5-million per).
If both guys play up to their potential â which Rozsival could not do last year because of injury â then they are a competitive first pair. Not the best pair in the league, but a first pair nonetheless. Redden also brings much needed help on the backline of the power play.
A quick assessment might lead you to believe that the Rangers overpaid for both Redden and Rozsival. If this were the year after the lockout, these contracts would be ludicrous. But itâs not, and both of these deals are fair.
Because of the rising salary cap and the parity that exists in the league that makes every team think they have a shot at Lord Stanleyâs prize, the supply-and-demand scale was, and still is, titled in favor of the players.
Larry Brooks told me an anecdote a little while ago that seems to sum up this free-agent melee pretty well. He said at some point today an undisclosed Rangers player was following the proceedings and called him to ask him a question.
âWho the hell is Jeff Finger?â the player asked.
Turns out, for those of you who donât know (which was me and probably is you), Jeff Finger was a backup defenseman for the Avalanche last year who was a healthy scratch during their playoff run. He signed today with Toronto for $3.5-million over 4 years.
Itâs that kind of atmosphere that made both Rozsivalâs and Reddenâs deals reasonable. Brian Campbell, who is the most overrated player this side of Brett Farve, signed a horribly huge deal with the Blackhawks worth $56.8-million over 8 years. Every fan of the Rangers should be thankful that that contract will not appear on Jimmy Dolan’s payroll.
Although Redden and Rozsival could both be considered soft â and by soft, I mean not hard-hitting rather than not passionate â they have the potential to pick this team up in a place where they really need it.
The Rangers also signed winger Patrick Rissmiller, who played 79 games plus the 8 playoff games last year for the Sharks, to an undisclosed deal; forward Aaron Voros (previous blog post); and resigned backup goalie Steve Valliquette.
Donât underestimate the signing of Valli. He and Hank became close last year and he showed that he can be a suitable backup.
There are a lot of unanswered questions still looming in Rangers universe. From all accounts, Sean Avery will not, I repeat, WILL NOT return to the Rangers next year. He is either headed to Detroit or Dallas, but all of this could turn on a dime and is very speculative.
Jaromir Jagr got a huge offer from Omsk in the Russian SuperLeague and may not return to the NHL, moreorless the Rangers. (Disregard the rumors of him to Pittsburgh, because…)
Apparently, the Rangers had a decision to make between hard-hitting Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik (who was believed to be looking for a deal in the 4 years, $20-million range) and Redden. They chose Redden, and if Orpik signs out of the Division, everyone will be thanking them.
Late word also has it that the Rangers are making a move towards Marian Hossa. How that could possibly work under the cap, I don’t know, but that’s the word.
So, the way this team is going to look age-wise as well as style-wise next year is still very, very uncertain. Thereâs a lot of time, relatively speaking, before training camp opens and thereâs a lot to be done to the Rangers if they want to compete for a Cup.
But today was a step towards a new Rangers team. What kind of team is still to be determined.
bcyrgalis@nypost.com