NEW YORK -- The Rangers bought out the contract of veteran forward Brad Richards on Friday, creating much-needed salary-cap space and parting ways with New Yorks de facto captain one week after the club was eliminated from the Stanley Cup finals. Serge Gnabry Jersey . Both the Rangers and Richards agent, Pat Morris, confirmed the move. "Tough last few days," Richards said in a statement released by the team. "I loved being a Ranger and living in New York and playing at MSG in front of great fans. Ive met many new friends, excellent teammates and staff, and I have memories that I will cherish for a lifetime. "(General manager) Glen Sather, the management and owner, Mr. Dolan, are all class acts. I want to thank them for letting me be a part of New York life and the Rangers family. With this decision finalized, I can now look forward to starting the next chapter in my career." The 34-year-old Richards had six years remaining on the nine-year, $60 million deal he signed in 2011, and this move will remove his $6.67 million salary-cap charge. He will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Richards will receive two-thirds of the remaining money to be paid out over 12 years -- a total of $12.6 million. Richards will also be paid $8 million in signing bonuses over the next three seasons. He didnt have to clear waivers before the buyout because his contract had a no-movement clause. The Rangers used their second and final compliance buyout on Richards after using the first on former defenceman Wade Redden last year. They had to be used before July 1. "We would like to thank Brad for everything he has done for our team on and off the ice during his time here," Sather said in a statement. "This was an extremely difficult decision to make because of how much respect I have for him. "Brads leadership and guidance for our young players was invaluable to the organization. We are grateful to have had the professionalism and experience he brought as an example for our team to follow. Brad has been a very good player for us and an even better person. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours." New York has numerous unrestricted and restricted free agents this summer, and will need as much cap space as possible to bring back key players and perhaps add others on the market. "Were going to work on putting a good team on the ice, but every year is different," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said Monday when the Rangers cleaned out their lockers. "Next years team is going to be different, and youve got to go through the same process. Its going to be a challenge to make the playoffs, and then you take it one series at a time." Richards was demoted to the fourth line in the finals against Los Angeles. "I am a big fan of Brad Richards," Vigneault said. "He is a classy, classy individual. If you look at Brads overall season he had a real good year. "I am very happy with what he brought to the table. A veteran player from Day One that was a real good extension of the coaching staff in the dressing room. He should walk away from this season very pleased with how he played and how he contributed to our team." Richards had 20 goals and 31 assists in 82 games this season -- the lowest point-per-game average of his career -- and added five goals and seven assists in New Yorks 25 post-season games. He had only one assist in the five-game finals loss to the Kings. Richards took on a bigger leadership role after captain Ryan Callahan was traded to Tampa Bay for St. Louis in March. His voice carried in the room even as his play declined as the playoff run got deeper. In 210 regular-season games with the Rangers, Richards had 56 goals and 95 assists. He was benched in last years post-season by former coach John Tortorella during New Yorks second-round loss to Boston. Richards earned his contract when he hit the free-agent market after having 28 goals and 77 points during the 2010-11 season with Dallas. Franck Ribery Jersey . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. Bayern Munich Jerseys . -- Zach Johnson asked his short-iron approach on the par-4 18th to "Do something right, baby. http://www.fcmunichpro.com/Kids-Kingsley-Coman-Jersey/ . The 28-year-old lefty made his MLB debut in 2013, making 10 starts and going 2-5 with 4.05 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Albers was named the Twins organizations minor league pitcher of the year for 2013.WASHINGTON -- First game back from a long road trip. Early season, midweek matchup against an opponent that doesnt exactly fire up the masses. The conditions combined to create a low-energy performance from the Washington Capitals, and thats exactly what it was at times Tuesday night. Nevertheless, they rallied when it mattered. Mikhail Grabovskis 100th NHL goal tied the game with 1:45 remaining in regulation, and Alex Ovechkin put in a rebound 1:34 into overtime for a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. "I think maybe we were a little tired. Maybe the trip caught up to us a bit," Washington coach Adam Oates said. "We played better early than I thought we were going to, and then I think it just showed itself. ... A little frustrating at times because we had easier plays than we were making, which is maybe mental fatigue. But obviously to figure out a way to get it done is still a good thing as well." Ovechkins 14th goal of the season and franchise-best 13th career overtime goal capped a game that included a pair of short-handed scores and third-period comebacks by both teams. Joel Ward gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead, then Jared Boll and Cam Atkinson scored less than three minutes apart to put the Blue Jackets in front, then Grabovski pounced on a loose puck to send the game to overtime. "Tonight was one of those games that we know we should have won this game," Washington defenceman Karl Alzner said. "The fact that we went down like that, I think really upset us and lit enough of a fire for us to get back and build the confidence." John Carlson also scored for the Capitals, who returned home after losing at pair at Phoenix and Colorado. They have won five of seven overall and five straight at the Verizon Center. Braden Holtby made 24 saves. Brandon Dubinsky had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped six of seven. Mats Hummels Jersey. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 30 shots. "We had opportunities on the power play, and our power play was slow," Columbus coach Todd Richards said. "I dont think it was dangerous at all. ... We had a lead with three minutes to go in the game and a chance to get two points against a divisional team. Right now its really a disappointing, deflating feeling just because of how it ended." The normally energetic Capitals fans had trouble generating their usual frenzy for their new rival from the Metropolitan Division. A subdued first period -- no goals, no penalties, few decent scoring chances -- gave way to some more interesting action in the second, when the Blue Jackets caught the Capitals sleepwalking through a power play. Dubinsky outhustled Troy Brouwer to the puck behind Washingtons net and was unchallenged as he skated in front and backhanded an easy shot past Holtby for a short-handed goal. The main credit for Carlsons goal goes to Martin Erat, who persevered to reach around a defender and slide the puck to the defenceman. Carlson crashed into net while celebrating his fourth goal of the season. The game came alive in the third when Ward got his ninth goal, surpassing his total from last season, while the Capitals were short-handed. Bobrovsky went behind the net to play the puck, but had it hop past his stick and straight to Ward, who scored into an empty net from the right circle. Boll was upended into a near-cartwheel after his redirect of James Wisniewskis shot with 8:38 to play for his first goal of the season, then Atkinson gave the Blue Jackets the lead on a breakaway with 5:41 remaining. NOTES: Dubinsky has two goals and five assists in four games. ... Columbus F Nick Foligno remains away from the team for personal reasons. ... Erat has scored more points (57) against Columbus than any other team. 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