It appears to be all but official. The Rangers and Brad Richards have reportedly agreed to a nine year, $60M contract making Richards the third highest Cap hit on the team, but due to front loading, he’ll make the majority of his money in the first five years.

The contract is the longest ever given by the Rangers, eclipsing the seven year deals handed out to Scott Gomez in 2007. It’s also the biggest contract, surpassing the $51.5M given to Gomez.

Reports suggest the Rangers weren’t the highest bidder, with the Calgary Flames said to be offering $65M over the same nine year term, another $700k or so a season. No word on what other teams may have bid.

The deal is yet to be officially signed and delivered to the NHL, but at this stage that appears to be just a formality.