According to TSN, the Rangers have signed 31-year-old Wade Redden to a six-year deal worth $6.5 million per.  The deal comes just hours after the team announced it had re-signed Michal Rozsival to a four-year, $20 million contract.

Meanwhile, it was only moments ago that I got through telling you good people that Rozsival’s deal reduced the chances of the team adding another top-tier defenseman.  I guess next time I should wait for these things to play out…

Redden should help fill a huge void on the blueline, where the Rangers have lacked a true point man for the powerplay since the NHL emerged from its lockout. Of course, the question becomes whether or not Redden can fill that void to the tune of $39 million. The answer?  Probably not.

Redden’s 38 points last season tied him for 21st among NHL defenseman with Atlanta’s Tobias Enstrom and – guess who – the Rangers’ Michal Rozsival.  Those aren’t numbers that cry out ‘SIX YEARS’ or ‘39 MILLION’ to me.  Still, the Rangers had a need and it seems they’ve been aggressive here in addressing it.  The money only becomes a factor if the offseason progresses and the team finds itself struggling to squeeze under the cap.

I don’t love it, I don’t hate it.  Most of all, I’m anxious to see what’s coming next.