Ive watched Mike Richards much more than you. He was my favorite flyer. Im not giving a biased opinion. 77 pts in 98 games is OK. Not coming up big. Briere comes up big in the playoffs. Giroux 55 pts in 50 games. Thats coming up big. In any case, I meant when the game is on the line or its a big game, like a game 7. Richards usually isnt the hero.
- GOA88

Counterpoint:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs_3PeQQUxc

Mike Richards was made to play in the playoffs.

Counterpoint:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs_3PeQQUxc

Mike Richards was made to play in the playoffs.
- johndewar

THIS. Richards is a beast, still one of my favorite players in the league. I'd ship back Simmons and Schenn today to get Richie. Proven winner, leads by example.

Richards is your ideal 3rd line center veteran leader. why the flyers passed on him and his cap hit. what a tough decision that was

Nice stuff Jason! Your recent posts have been good insight into the players on our team, keep it up!

Nice stuff Jason! Your recent posts have been good insight into the players on our team, keep it up!
- kingslife

Thanks a lot I really appreciate that!

It should be pointed out that Jeff Carter was infinitely better than any 2nd line winger on the Hawks (and now the Leafs), Canucks or Buffalo. If Richards did not have Carter and instead one of the other wingers, then his advanced statistics would suffer greatly. He had a poor regular season.

Coming from the Philly perspective. Mike Richards maybe the greatest 3rd line center ever to play the game. He can kill Penalties, score PP & Shorties, is defensively sound, offensively creative and knows how to hit and make it hurt.

While I think we totally got the better end of the Carter deal (and I like Carter, but c'mon, Voracek and Coots?). I am still pissed we traded Mike Richards. I like Schenn and Simmonds but they don't have that "Clutch" scoring drive, yet. Giroux has it, Richards has it, Briere and Gagne had it. When the chips are down, you want your clutch players on the ice.

Edit:And when I say #3 Center, it isn't because I think there are 2 better centers. His versatility and talents make him the ultimate Warrior you want out against another team's best line. But make no mistake, he is so good at everything, he could easily be a teams #1.
- flyler

The Flyers won both of these trades as far as talent goes. The Kings can say they won because they got a cup, which is true. Personally Jeff Carter was my fav flyer but still I would take Voracek and Couter over him anyday. Simmonds brings as much as Richards and Schenn will make flyer fans forget all about Richards in the very near future. Richards is heart and soul but agree he would be about the best third line center in the league. As for being a number two he seriously has lost his offensive game. I like him but still like Schenn and Simmonds better.

THIS. Richards is a beast, still one of my favorite players in the league. I'd ship back Simmons and Schenn today to get Richie. Proven winner, leads by example.
- Trainfellow

Richards and Carter were both detrimental to the future of the Flyers at the time of the trade. The party rumours, the Richards vs the coaches way and there lack of effort in many games after they signed the big contracts were a big scare to management and they elected to make the changes and I agree with them. I loved them both at times but their play did go south the last year. Plus Carter could not stay healthy and was invisible unless we were playing a doormat team. Richie alway played tough though and when he was in the mood was great. He could not handle the media and being made captain was not a good fit in Philly.

Great blog. Really, would love to see more of this kind of stuff.

It should be pointed out that Jeff Carter was infinitely better than any 2nd line winger on the Hawks (and now the Leafs), Canucks or Buffalo. If Richards did not have Carter and instead one of the other wingers, then his advanced statistics would suffer greatly. He had a poor regular season.
- ToughD

And I'm not so sure about that

, Kesler plays 1st line PP with the Sedin twins.

Bolland was playing on a team that had great puck-moving defencemen. Not to mention a team that was often playing with a lead.

Richards and Carter were both detrimental to the future of the Flyers at the time of the trade. The party rumours, the Richards vs the coaches way and there lack of effort in many games after they signed the big contracts were a big scare to management and they elected to make the changes and I agree with them. I loved them both at times but their play did go south the last year. Plus Carter could not stay healthy and was invisible unless we were playing a doormat team. Richie alway played tough though and when he was in the mood was great. He could not handle the media and being made captain was not a good fit in Philly.
- flyerdude17

Look at the team stats while Carter was on the team, and how many times he led the team in goals scored. 3 years pass after the 2010 playoffs and you forget how Richards was a good captain in every sense of the word. Haters gonna hate

Loved Richards when he was here with the Flyers. I didn't hate the trade though. Schenn was a very hot prospect. (Jury is still out on him).

I think he's a great #2C right now. The only concern is that his offensive production continues to dip. He's always relied heavily on his intelligence and anticipation. He doesn't skate particularly well or handle the puck very well. Where will his production be in 3 years?

As a side note, I did love the way Richie could bother Crosby. Crosby would, often, get the better of him on the scoreboard, but Richie could really get him all hot and bothered.

Giroux seems to do the same to Crosby, but also produced wins/points against the Pens.

Heres what to know about Mike Richards,

He is a leader on the ice with his physical play and effort
He is perfect for the 2nd line center role, but thats it. Not skilled enough to play 1st line.
He is a fanstastic penalty killer
Above average passer
Average shooter
Often doesnt come up big when needed.
- GOA88

As Jason stated, Mike's scoring stats are pretty solid in playoff play. But there are immeasurable things that he does during the course of a game that makes him as valuable, if not more-so, than a Briere or a Giroux. Defensive play and penalty killing are a big part of this ...not to mention Richards is a more physical player which counts for a lot in the playoffs.

Richards is not a "flashy" player, but he does so many things well that I'd take him over most 2nd line C's any day.

In fact, he was my favorite "non-Kings" player before he was traded because I loved his style of play so when he was traded a day before my wedding (no joke) I considered it the best wedding gift I could've asked for hahaha.

I'm biased, but Kopitar/Richards is in the Top 3 1-2 punch C's in the NHL. If we can just get Kopitar to avoid a 20-game cold streak this upcoming season...

Richards is one of my favourite players. Could have been a Leaf, but life goes on.

Richards is one of my favourite players. Could have been a Leaf, but life goes on.
- BetterCallSaul

That 2003 draft was hell for a lot of us my friend. King fans feel your pain.

26. Brian Boyle (LAK)
27. Jeff Tambellini (LAK)
28. Corey Perry (ANA)
33. Loui Eriksson (DAL)

As do Ranger fans. Ouchies.

12. Hugh Jessiman (NYR)
13. Dustin Brown (LAK)
14. Brent Seabrook (CHI)



I guess it just made too much sense for the Rangers to pass on Jessiman, born and raised in NYC and a Dartmouth grad...even though Brown is from Ithica.

That 2003 draft was hell for a lot of us my friend. King fans feel your pain.

26. Brian Boyle (LAK)
27. Jeff Tambellini (LAK)
28. Corey Perry (ANA)
33. Loui Eriksson (DAL)

As do Ranger fans. Ouchies.

12. Hugh Jessiman (NYR)
13. Dustin Brown (LAK)
14. Brent Seabrook (CHI)



I guess it just made too much sense for the Rangers to pass on Jessiman, born and raised in NYC and a Dartmouth grad...even though Brown is from Ithica.
- Jason_Lewis

The Lightning's first pick in 2003 was at 34. They selected Mike Egener, who is now playing in the United Kingdom. Yes. The United Kingdom. They they picked at 41 and chose Matt Smaby. Patrice Bergeron goes at 45. Shea Weber goes at 49. 2003 was a nice year for some franchises, but a brutal one for others.

That 2003 draft was hell for a lot of us my friend. King fans feel your pain.

26. Brian Boyle (LAK)
27. Jeff Tambellini (LAK)
28. Corey Perry (ANA)
33. Loui Eriksson (DAL)

As do Ranger fans. Ouchies.

12. Hugh Jessiman (NYR)
13. Dustin Brown (LAK)
14. Brent Seabrook (CHI)




I guess it just made too much sense for the Rangers to pass on Jessiman, born and raised in NYC and a Dartmouth grad...even though Brown is from Ithica.
- Jason_Lewis

I was talking about that rumoured trade between Toronto and Philly, Kadri & Kulemin for Richards. Apparently Homer offered, Burke tabled it for a day to think about it, and Lombardi swooped in and offered Schenn and Simmonds.

That 2003 draft was hell for a lot of us my friend. King fans feel your pain.

26. Brian Boyle (LAK)
27. Jeff Tambellini (LAK)
28. Corey Perry (ANA)
33. Loui Eriksson (DAL)

As do Ranger fans. Ouchies.

12. Hugh Jessiman (NYR)
13. Dustin Brown (LAK)
14. Brent Seabrook (CHI)



I guess it just made too much sense for the Rangers to pass on Jessiman, born and raised in NYC and a Dartmouth grad...even though Brown is from Ithica.
- Jason_Lewis

Barry who?....lol... I'm really looking forward to your mid season blogs. Its really nice to read some in depth Kings related hockey stuff!
but Man! Kings had 3 first rounders and missed out on Seabrook, Eriksson and Perry? Did I read that correctly? I'm glad Kings at least picked a winner in Brown

I hope Matt Barry is reading these blogs.