In the CARDS

ARGUABLY THE BIGGEST FREE agent signing in history was when the Rangers inked Wayne Gretzky to a two-year deal July 21, 1996. After all, it isn’t every day a team can sign hockey’s all-time leading scorer. It was the first time Gretzky had UFA status – and he wanted to play with friend and former Oilers teammate Mark Messier. So hyped was the reunion of these two legends that Messier appeared alongside Gretzky at the announcement. Upper Deck seized the opportunity to show both players at the press conference on Gretzky’s 1996-97 Series One card.