It is no secret that the Kings have a Cap issue, and an even bigger issue on the horizon with Kopitar due for a HUGE raise. Last summer the Kings came very close to buying out Center Mike Richards but Lombardi, to his credit, kept Mike Richards and promised to find another way to make it work...but Richards had to dedicate himself in his offseason conditioning...which he did.

The misconception about Mike Richards is he isn't valuable and he is overpaid. Nothing could be further from the truth. Richards is extremely valuable..but on a team that is intensely deep and doesn't need him...although I would debate that as well. Richards is a clutch player who is a big part of the chemistry experiment that makes the LA Kings a different team when the playoffs hit.

Richards is the guy you want on the ice when all is on the line. Anyone who remembers game 1 of the Kings/Ducks series last year gets it. And this goes back to his days in Philly and even back to Kitchener. Richards is adored by his teammates and the ultimate leader. His contract is 5.75 for five more years. That contract isn't horrible and if he was a UFA he would do better.

Many teams are keeping a close eye on this and some teams will have to make other moves to make this possible, but already I am hearing Nashville (e3), Pittsburgh (e2), Winnipeg (e2), Ottawa (e2), Toronto (e3) and Philly(e3) (YES I KNOW, but Hextall is HUGE proponent) have their feelers out.