Rangers Focus On D: Girardi Re-Signed, Eminger Acquired & Staal Still In Limbo

Unlike most summers in The Big Apple, the New York Rangers did not enter this offseason with the intention of making wild blockbuster deals. Instead, the main priority was locking up key contributors from within the organization while adding more minor pieces here and there through free agency and the trade market.

General Manager Glen Sather has pretty much stuck to that game plan. He ensured the returns of forwards Erik Christensen, Vaclav Prospal and Brandon Prust while adding enforcer Derek Boogaard and backup goaltender Marty Biron into the mix.

On Friday, Sather turned his attention toward defense, where he re-signed a key restricted free agent and acquired some blue line depth in a deal with the Anaheim Ducks.

That key restricted free agent was none other than 26-year old Dan Girardi. The undrafted Welland, Ontario native agreed to a new four-year deal that will pay him $13.3 million over the lifetime of the contract. His annual cap hit to the Rangers will be $3.325 million, and he will earn actual salaries of $3.1 million next year and $3.4 million in each of the following three seasons (per CapGeek.)

Girardi is a valuable defensive asset to the Rangers and possesses the best shot blocking on the team. He adds a bit on the offensive side of the puck and has shined on the power play at times. But his true worth is in his own zone. The price tag of $3.325 million is more than anticipated, but the very healthy pay raise represents the Rangers’ commitment to sticking with one of their own.