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Unrestricted free agents & signings

The Rangers were thought to have been after Joseph, but after the dust settled they re-signed Richter to a four-year contract worth $21.8 million.

Richter, who helped the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup in 1994, was claimed by Nashville in the expansion draft altough the Predators never thought they could sign him and were only after the compensatory draft pick they will now receive.

Richter will remain with the only NHL team he has played in his nine-year career and he is happy about it.

"In the end, if you achieved what you wanted to achieve, the path doesn't make a difference," Richter said. "I'm happiest here and New York felt that the fit was good. It worked out the best both ways."

The other happy camper is Curtis Joseph, who turned down an earlier offer from the Rangers and signed with Toronto. Terms were not disclosed, but it is believed that Joseph agreed to a four-year deal worth $24 million.

"One of the factors playing in Toronto is being a Canadian kid. I'm ecstatic to put this jersey on," Joseph said. "As a little boy I watched the Maple Leafs, dreamed about playing for the Leafs."

The odd man out is Toronto's other netminder, Felix Potvin. He has a year left in his contract and rumors have him traded to Vancouver. It is most unlikely that Joseph and Potvin would share the goaltending duties.

"Now we have Curtis, we have a better team." Leafs associate GM Mike Smith. "We certainly have depth in goal."