Anyone else have the feeling Brad Richards isnt going to put up very many points this season? I know everyone says "bargain this, bargain that" but I have a bad feeling about it.
- BlazinMike

The guy took less money because he wants to play for the Blackhawks. He wants to win. He's averaged 60 points a year since going to NY and that's on (frank)ing NY.

As JJ said, this is Richards last chance to sign a nice contract after next season so I doubt he plays passenger on a team that's on the cusp of winning another cup.

Anyone else have the feeling Brad Richards isnt going to put up very many points this season? I know everyone says "bargain this, bargain that" but I have a bad feeling about it.
- BlazinMike

Depends what you are defining as "very many points"... If you are expecting 80-90 points, that may be a little unrealistic.

The guy took less money because he wants to play for the Blackhawks. He wants to win. He's averaged 60 points a year since going to NY and that's on (frank)ing NY.

As JJ said, this is Richards last chance to sign a nice contract after next season so I doubt he plays passenger on a team that's on the cusp of winning another cup.
- teh_HAWKZ

He also doesn't have the weight of an enormous contract and the pressure of being the #1 center.

Anyone else have the feeling Brad Richards isnt going to put up very many points this season? I know everyone says "bargain this, bargain that" but I have a bad feeling about it.
- BlazinMike

No.


If Richards plays with Saad and Kane I see 20+ goals , my prediction is actually 25 goals , I know thats aggressive but Kane is the greatest passer in the universe and Richards still can really shoot the puck . I believe Richards will score goals. I also believe that Richards might be the Hawks best power play player and just being on a line with Kane and Saad should produce 30+ assists . I think Richards will get 60+ points this season . And then someone will over pay for him again next offseason like the Flyers or Leafs .

Depends what you are defining as "very many points"... If you are expecting 80-90 points, that may be a little unrealistic.
- golfbard

Kane is super competitive, don't you think he sees this year as his best (so far) at topping the 100 point mark? Most teams dont have two shut down O lines or defencemen for that matter, so who do you send your top guys against? Towes, Sharp, Hossa or Richards Kane, Saad? Predict Kane 107 points Richards 70 and Saad 85.

Depends what you are defining as "very many points"... If you are expecting 80-90 points, that may be a little unrealistic.
- golfbard

Im just not expecting to be impressed by him. I have a feeling he's not gonna show much. Ill gladly admit im wrong if he lights it up. But with the line shakeups being more likely than not, theres no guarantee he ends up with Saad and Kane all year.

No.


If Richards plays with Saad and Kane I see 20+ goals , my prediction is actually 25 goals , I know thats aggressive but Kane is the greatest passer in the universe and Richards still can really shoot the puck . I believe Richards will score goals. I also believe that Richards might be the Hawks best power play player and just being on a line with Kane and Saad should produce 30+ assists . I think Richards will get 60+ points this season . And then someone will over pay for him again next offseason like the Flyers or Leafs .
- mrpaulish

Agreed you also have to look at the players he had on his line in NY they dont compare to kane & Saad just that alone will bring his point totals up

What's up MR.P

Agreed you also have to look at the players he had on his line in NY they dont compare to kane & Saad just that alone will bring his point totals up

What's up MR.P
- BGKarras

How are things going? a couple things going for Richards now: 1) no big contract 2) Has a real coach now 3) Has some players who can take the pressure off him.

How are things going? a couple things going for Richards now: 1) no big contract 2) Has a real coach now 3) Has some players who can take the pressure off him.
- powerenforcer

He's also 34 and been slowing down more and more. Even on that 'terrible' NY Rangers roster he ended up on the 3rd or 4th line in the playoffs.

I just have a bad feeling he wont bring very much to the Hawks this season

He sure played like he was hurt. I found it odd that we didn't get the laundry list of injuries after the Hawks were eliminated as is customary. Also, Sharp himself begged off answering the question.
- NewToHockey

He wasn't hurt, had no surgery, was out taking batting practice with the Cubs like 3 days later. Just an excuse. He sucked in the playoffs, because well, he sucked. Although he did play a bit better when moved down to the third line when he could get away from top checkers.

Please share this with those who claim I know nothing, hate TT, etc.

The Archie comparison is because of how he dangles and recognizes. Also a smooooooth, refined player like Archie was.
- John Jaeckel

Exactly!

Poor Archie was kinda victim of circumstances. Was traded for one of the most popular Blackhawk player. He never was a player that should´ve carry the team but was great complement player. Sadly Blackhawks did not have many good players back then and team wasn´t well coached either. He was great in Winnipeg. Just ask Selänne and Tkachuk.

I believe that Teuvo´s upside is somewhere in Zhamnov´s level and that would not be a bad thing at all. Reaching that potential he could become one the best second line centers in NHL. The downside I see is somewhere in Versteeg´s level.

Im just not expecting to be impressed by him. I have a feeling he's not gonna show much. Ill gladly admit im wrong if he lights it up. But with the line shakeups being more likely than not, theres no guarantee he ends up with Saad and Kane all year.
- BlazinMike

I do see your point but look at this way...even if he's bad and gets, say, 32 points, he still doubles the output of the guy he's replacing.

he had 51 last year, if he could get 50-60 this year i'd be thrilled!

Thought Richards put up some decent numbers on a really offensively challenged Rangers squad. Sure he's getting up there, but he's still a sniper and he'll add something the PP.

And as everyone has said he's not the man here with the big contract. He's just taking another shot at winning a Cup.

I'm really interested to see what Dineen does with the PP. It's got nowhere to go but up after Kompon's work.

Thought Richards put up some decent numbers on a really offensively challenged Rangers squad. Sure he's getting up there, but he's still a sniper and he'll add something the PP.

And as everyone has said he's not the man here with the big contract. He's just taking another shot at winning a Cup.

I'm really interested to see what Dineen does with the PP. It's got nowhere to go but up after Kompon's work.
- DK002

I wouldn't mind trying what Washington does. Send Kane or Toews down low and feed Sharp or Richards at either circle for a one-timer.

Anyone else have the feeling Brad Richards isnt going to put up very many points this season? I know everyone says "bargain this, bargain that" but I have a bad feeling about it.
- BlazinMike

Honestly, $2 million for a true centre that hasn't scored less that 50 points (included pro-rated shortened seasons) doesn't leave a lot to worry about. I know Richards is getting older, but he'll also be playing with more talent than he ever has before.

Even if Richards fell to the third line and performed decently he's still a fantastic signing. I'm not expecting 70-80 points, but 50ish is realistic and 30+ more than our 2C from last season had.

>JJ, great review
>As you say, having a strong PP & PK in the same year would make for a great year
>I would add that the NHL game is evolving and becoming a more 5 on 5 200 foot game in the playoffs
>Would like to see the Hawks as a team utilize their D more on the attack and some of their forwards step up their play recognition -- too many games in which the Hawks got caught with all three forwards down low in the attack zone -- when that last forward doing so had no business being there and added nothing to the play -- other than helping the other team to an odd-man break
>Also, the Hawks D men have a terrible time defending when they are more or less standing still in the slot -- facing their own goal -- little coordination in the coverage -- everybody puck-watching and not covering players entering the slot
>On offense, it is a great tactic to get the other team to turn their heads and/or face a direction they aren't strong at, but on defense you must be able to do it all

Exactly!

Poor Archie was kinda victim of circumstances. Was traded for one of the most popular Blackhawk player. He never was a player that should´ve carry the team but was great complement player. Sadly Blackhawks did not have many good players back then and team wasn´t well coached either. He was great in Winnipeg. Just ask Selänne and Tkachuk.

I believe that Teuvo´s upside is somewhere in Zhamnov´s level and that would not be a bad thing at all. Reaching that potential he could become one the best second line centers in NHL. The downside I see is somewhere in Versteeg´s level.
- MjulQvist

Poor Archie? He didn't show up half the time. Really good players show stand out, especially on a mediocre team. I don't doubt talent being there. We saw flashes of that on occasion. I simply remember coming home from many games not remembering when I saw #26 trying to make plays.

If we can look for some of his talent in TT, that's fine. I just hope TT's work ethic and drive is much more closely aligned with the guy that Archie was traded for than Archie himself.

He wasn't hurt, had no surgery, was out taking batting practice with the Cubs like 3 days later. Just an excuse. He sucked in the playoffs, because well, he sucked. Although he did play a bit better when moved down to the third line when he could get away from top checkers.
- kwolf68

Put this batting practice garbage away. This discussion has been had to death already. Are you one of the people who said Jay Cutler wasn't hurt because he was walking down stairs too? If he can PLAY HOCKEY with an injury, he can swing a baseball bat.

Put this batting practice garbage away. This discussion has been had to death already. Are you one of the people who said Jay Cutler wasn't hurt because he was walking down stairs too? If he can PLAY HOCKEY with an injury, he can swing a baseball bat.
- Sandus

Maybe he COULD, but SHOULD he have?

No.


If Richards plays with Saad and Kane I see 20+ goals , my prediction is actually 25 goals , I know thats aggressive but Kane is the greatest passer in the universe and Richards still can really shoot the puck . I believe Richards will score goals. I also believe that Richards might be the Hawks best power play player and just being on a line with Kane and Saad should produce 30+ assists . I think Richards will get 60+ points this season . And then someone will over pay for him again next offseason like the Flyers or Leafs .
- mrpaulish

He just had 20 and 31 for the Rangers. I hope we see at least 60-70 if he centers Kane and Saad.

Anyone know who he centered in NY during the RS last year?

I know he was demoted to 4th line in the finals. Hopefully he gets comfortable here and carries some confidence into the playoffs this year.

I also hope he gets a serious look at point on the PP but am not sure Q will do it. He seems uncomfortable with SHarp there - seems to want to stick with d men.

Maybe he COULD, but SHOULD he have?
- BlazinMike

Damage is damage. Swinging a bat uses almost no shoulders. I'd rather he do it three days after the season than three weeks after while rehabbing.

Damage is damage. Swinging a bat uses almost no shoulders. I'd rather he do it three days after the season than three weeks after while rehabbing.
- Sandus

Sorry, a rotator cuff or even some kind of facet impingement (both of which can fall under shoulder/neck injuries) can seriously impact a bat swing.

All of this is subjective. We do not even know the type of shoulder injury Sharp may have had. Anything like a dislocation or RC should not have allowed him to swing a bat.

All I know is his playoff performance was unacceptable and ANY bat swinging 3 days later eliminates many serious shoulder issues. That leads more credence to the rumors about a personal issue or a combination of things - physical and mental.

Hopefully, he comes out on fire this year so Stan has the option to move him for a real return at the TDL or after the season.

You keep Sharp for another SC run. You don't trade a point per game player when other moves can be made. No Sharp trade is even necessary.

1. Trade Rozsival for a 7th rd pick (or whatever you could pick up). What team would give up a 7th rd pick? A rebuilding team that could flip Rozsival again near the trade deadline for another asset to help their rebuild.
2. Send Regin down to Rockford. If he doesn't clear waivers, no HUGE loss. I like Regin, but if it comes down to sending him down and maybe losing him when another team picks him up and trading Sharp....well, it's been a slice Regin. If Regin does clear he falls under the new CBA Rules. "Under the 2013 CBA, a team only derives a specific savings from demoting a player on a one-way contract to the AHL. This savings is calculated as league minimum plus $375,000."
With the 2014-15 minimum salary set as $550,000 = 550k + 375k = $925k in savings, which Regin's salary falls under.
***EDITED*** - You do this if TT is ready for the NHL full time. If he's not, send TT down and keep Regin with the Hawks.
3. Call up Dalhbeck - The salary difference between Regin (or TT) and Dalhbeck allow the Hawks to call him up and he can platoon with Rundblad as the 6th defenseman. Hawks are under the cap and Sharpie stays.

You keep Sharp for another SC run. You don't trade a point per game player when other moves can be made. No Sharp trade is even necessary.

1. Trade Rozsival for a 7th rd pick (or whatever you could pick up). What team would give up a 7th rd pick? A rebuilding team that could flip Rozsival again near the trade deadline for another asset to help their rebuild.
2. Send Regin down to Rockford. If he doesn't clear waivers, no HUGE loss. I like Regin, but if it comes down to sending him down and maybe losing him when another team picks him up and trading Sharp....well, it's been a slice Regin. If Regin does clear he falls under the new CBA Rules. "Under the 2013 CBA, a team only derives a specific savings from demoting a player on a one-way contract to the AHL. This savings is calculated as league minimum plus $375,000."
With the 2014-15 minimum salary set as $550,000 = 550k + 375k = $925k in savings, which Regin's salary falls under.
3. Call up Dalhbeck - The salary difference between Regin and Dalhbeck allow the Hawks to call him up and he can platoon with Rundblad as the 6th defenseman. Hawks are under the cap and Sharpie stays.
- MNHawk

Why send Regin to Rockford when Teravainen can be sent down without going through waivers? The same goal is accomplished and we don't risk losing a player for nothing. If TT is 100% NHL ready that's a different thing, but if he's not then let him season a big in Rockford.

Exactly!

Poor Archie was kinda victim of circumstances. Was traded for one of the most popular Blackhawk player. He never was a player that should´ve carry the team but was great complement player. Sadly Blackhawks did not have many good players back then and team wasn´t well coached either. He was great in Winnipeg. Just ask Selänne and Tkachuk.

I believe that Teuvo´s upside is somewhere in Zhamnov´s level and that would not be a bad thing at all. Reaching that potential he could become one the best second line centers in NHL. The downside I see is somewhere in Versteeg´s level.
- MjulQvist

Right, not a true #1C but a great 2C on about any team. 714 points in 807 NHL games and a + player for his career.