Is he still worth 5.8 million a season for what... 8 years?
- SchennBros

At his current rate of production, probably not. But still a good player.

I think Mike Richards downfall is being exaggerated. He's still a good playmaker, and a solid all around player. His goal scoring is down.
- MJL

Sometimes, guys don't age well. It happens. Just because he was a Flyer, a captain, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

His goalscoring's down because he can't get to the spots during the run of play.

Being a fan isn't going to make the guy faster.

I don't even know where he'd fit on this team, even if you did want to entertain the notion.
- johndewar

Leftwing.

Vincent Lecavalier had better numbers last season, and meant just as much to Tampa Bay's franchise history, and he was bought out.

It happens.

Sometimes, guys don't age well. It happens. Just because he was a Flyer, a captain, doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

His goalscoring's down because he can't get to the spots during the run of play.

Being a fan isn't going to make the guy faster.
- AllInForFlyers

He's not that old, he's 29. I seriously doubt that's why his goal scoring is down. Speed was never a big factor in Richards game.

Vincent Lecavalier had better numbers last season, and meant just as much to Tampa Bay's franchise history, and he was bought out.

It happens.
- AllInForFlyers

It does. And Lecavalier wasn't bought out because he's not longer a good player. Just didn't add up to his cap hit going forward.

He's not that old, he's 29. I seriously doubt that's why his goal scoring is down. Speed was never a big factor in Richards game.
- MJL

Cumulative wear and tear, loss of speed, loss of hands, a combination, does it matter which is the kill shot?

Shut up shut up shut up shut up
- PhillySportsGuy

its the truth and you know it!

Cumulative wear and tear, loss of speed, loss of hands, a combination, does it matter which is the kill shot?
- AllInForFlyers

I don't think there is a kill shot.

I don't think there is a kill shot.
- MJL

Father Time is undefeated, MJL. In sports. In all things.

There's always a kill shot.

Father Time is undefeated, MJL. In sports. In all things.

There's always a kill shot.
- AllInForFlyers

He's 29, not 39.

He's 29, not 39.
- MJL

How old is Tim Lincecum? Is he still throwing 96? Still winning Cy Youngs?

No. Because for some body types and skillsets, you can't do it for as long as some others.

I don't think there is a kill shot.
- MJL

One thing I know...
This Guy....

Does not equal

This Guy.....

How old is Tim Lincecum? Is he still throwing 96? Still winning Cy Youngs?

No. Because for some body types and skillsets, you can't do it for as long as some others.
- AllInForFlyers

Here's an interesting thing that happens in sports. Sometimes a player just has a bad year. Simple as that. Doesn't mean that there's been a kill shot, or a loss of hands, or father time has caught up with the player. We'll find out in the future for sure. Like I said, I think his demise is being exaggerated.

And there are plenty of examples of the opposite. Where a player has a bad year and bounces back.

Here's an interesting thing that happens in sports. Sometimes a player just has a bad year. Simple as that. Doesn't mean that there's been a kill shot, or a loss of hands, or father time has caught up with the player. We'll find out in the future for sure. Like I said, I think his demise is being exaggerated.
- MJL

But you admitted, just like Lecavalier that his salary and years isn't favorable to his production, thus a buyout is a very real posibility.

But you admitted, just like Lecavalier that his salary and years isn't favorable to his production, thus a buyout is a very real posibility.
- SchennBros

Definitely a possibility. But I'd be really surprised if it happens.

Here's an interesting thing that happens in sports. Sometimes a player just has a bad year. Simple as that. Doesn't mean that there's been a kill shot, or a loss of hands, or father time has caught up with the player. We'll find out in the future for sure. Like I said, I think his demise is being exaggerated.
- MJL

I think its part of everything with Richards. His play has regressed and he's part of a defensive system in LA. They're 1st in goals against and 28th in goals scored.

Definitely a possibility. But I'd be really surprised if it happens.
- MJL

What about Hossa? He's still productive, but he's signed for a very long time and could hurt the Hawks if he retires before his deal runs out.

Richards is nowhere NOWHERE near the player he used to be.

Homer really made out on that trade. If you shopped Richards today would you get an offer anywhere near close to what the Kings gave up for him?

I don't think so.

Here's an interesting thing that happens in sports. Sometimes a player just has a bad year. Simple as that. Doesn't mean that there's been a kill shot, or a loss of hands, or father time has caught up with the player. We'll find out in the future for sure. Like I said, I think his demise is being exaggerated.
- MJL

Nobody is saying the guy is going to be taken behind a shed and put down tomorrow, but at the same time, this story only ends one way, and it's gonna be sooner than people think.

2007-08 Philadelphia Flyers GP 73 G 28 A 47 P 75
2008-09 Philadelphia Flyers GP 79 G 30 A 50 P 80
2009-10 Philadelphia Flyers GP 82 G 31 A 31 P 62
2010-11 Philadelphia Flyers GP 81 G 23 A 43 P 66
2011-12 Los Angeles Kings GP 74 G 18 A 26 P 44
2012-13 Los Angeles Kings GP 48 G 12 A 20 P 32
2013-14 Los Angeles Kings GP 70 G 9 A 30 P 39

He's trending down; he's clearly a 10-15 goal, 40-50 point player now -- and trending downward.

Those are the numbers. They do not lie.

Richards is nowhere NOWHERE near the player he used to be.

Homer really made out on that trade. If you shopped Richards today would you get an offer anywhere near close to what the Kings gave up for him?

I don't think so.
- hereticpride

Would you give up Schenn and Simmonds for a Cup? I would.

Nobody is saying the guy is going to be taken behind a shed and put down tomorrow, but at the same time, this story only ends one way, and it's gonna be sooner than people think.

2007-08 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 73 28 47 75 76 14
2008-09 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 79 30 50 80 63 22
2009-10 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 82 31 31 62 79 -2
2010-11 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 81 23 43 66 62 11
2011-12 Los Angeles Kings NHL 74 18 26 44 71 3
2012-13 Los Angeles Kings NHL 48 12 20 32 42 -8
2013-14 Los Angeles Kings NHL 70 9 30 39 26 -3

He's trending down; he's clearly a 10-15 goal, 40-50 point player now -- and trending downward.

Those are the numbers. They do not lie.
- AllInForFlyers

He was on pace for 20 goals and 55 points last season. I think LAs style of play has to do with his numbers being down as well as a regression in natural ability.

What about Hossa? He's still productive, but he's signed for a very long time and could hurt the Hawks if he retires before his deal runs out.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think he's signed until he's 42 or so. That could bite the Hawks. He's 35 and he still has 7 more years on his deal.

Nobody is saying the guy is going to be taken behind a shed and put down tomorrow, but at the same time, this story only ends one way, and it's gonna be sooner than people think.

2007-08 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 73 28 47 75
2008-09 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 79 30 50 80
2009-10 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 82 31 31 62
2010-11 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 81 23 43 66
2011-12 Los Angeles Kings NHL 74 18 26 44
2012-13 Los Angeles Kings NHL 48 12 20 32
2013-14 Los Angeles Kings NHL 70 9 30 39

He's trending down; he's clearly a 10-15 goal, 40-50 point player now -- and trending downward.

Those are the numbers. They do not lie.
- AllInForFlyers

As with any stat, numbers have to be taken in context. Not looked at blindly. He played in a far more wide open offensive style with the Flyers. LA is not a good goal scoring team, as they're in the bottom of the League in goals per game.

I disagree that at 29 the end is sooner then I think. I think he has a lot of quality hockey still left in him.

I think he's signed until he's 42 or so. That could bite the Hawks. He's 35 and he still has 7 more years on his deal.
- MJL

Im guessing they keep him. I feel like he can play until he's 42. He's one of those rare breeds. At 35, he's still playing at a very high level. The only worry is injuries.