When or if he ends up either getting bought out or Wade Redden'd, I think a bunch of teams will line up for a few prove it seasons to play a checking line role. If the Kings were so desperate to save a whopping 925k on their cap and not utilize him as leader in their lineup, that's a monster red flag. You don't just scratch guys like that, scoring or not. The Kings had absolutely no necessity to waive him at this juncture unless he was hurting their performance. Maybe, somehow magically he will turn himself around to the point where he can be valued as a checking line forward.. but I'm willing to bet he's a longshot to make a significant impact on a team.

I do agree to you to a point, he'd still be in LA, or maybe even another NHL team, in the old NHL. I do also see that he could barely be productive in 2, 3 or 4th line minutes. He's a broken down mule, and it's too bad because he's probably 3-4 years premature. Some guys can play for a long time playing the way Richards does. Some can't. And he simply can't.
- TheSabresTaco

Hookers and Blow probably did him in...

I personally have no desire for the Sabres to take on Mike Richards and that contact. That orange/black/white/silver lens I used to see him through is broken.

Which to me says that there's more to it than we know. Because while he's been productive offensively during his career, he's always been a huge pain in the ass to play against because that's exactly the type of game he's played for the duration of his career.

I LOVED Richards, especially back in his Philly days. I just hated that he played for Philly. The trade to LA was awesome for me because I didn't have to feel guilty about liking him.
- HonkFortheGoose

In 2010, I did too.

I think Dustin Brown's game has deteriorated more then Richards over the last 18 months

You, me and Spector seem to agree.
- TheSabresTaco

And 30 general managers

In 2010, I did too.
- TheSabresTaco

I just think there's a lot more to the story than we know. I think waiving him had more to do with hoping someone would bite and claim him, but the length on his contract is terrifying. No, he's never going to be as productive as he used to be. However, I think he has enough left in the tank to play the defensive style game he's always played. I just don't think anyone wants to pay a guy almost $6 mil per year for the next 5 years to do so.

I just think there's a lot more to the story than we know. I think waiving him had more to do with hoping someone would bite and claim him, but the length on his contract is terrifying. No, he's never going to be as productive as he used to be. However, I think he has enough left in the tank to play the defensive style game he's always played. I just don't think anyone wants to pay a guy almost $6 mil per year for the next 5 years to do so.
- HonkFortheGoose

I'm with you. I don't think for a second he was shopped and waived based solely on his ability to be a good NHL player.

I'm with you. I don't think for a second he was shopped and waived based solely on his ability to be a good NHL player.
- stashu

I do believe the current cap crunch scare put a lot of teams off due to his contract. Teams that would love to have Richards right now.

I'm with you. I don't think for a second he was shopped and waived based solely on his ability to be a good NHL player.
- stashu

Also take into account that they actually chose not to buy him out (for free, cap wise, no less) because they respected him so much. Although it is possible, I just don't see a conspiracy here. If he's worth so much, even on the defensive side of the puck, why wouldn't he stick with the team? They gain less than a million in cap to have him NOT play in LA. It all seems to simply add up to him not being able to keep up. It should be an interesting story in the summer, or if he's traded and the Kings decide to retain salary.

I'm with you. I don't think for a second he was shopped and waived based solely on his ability to be a good NHL player.
- stashu

The Kings are in absolute cap hell right now. I'm not really sure what Lombardi is going to be able to do to keep the team relatively in tact beyond this season. Dustin Brown's contract is for even longer than Richards and he's been a shell of his former self as well. They have some serious issues.

The Kings are in absolute cap hell right now. I'm not really sure what Lombardi is going to be able to do to keep the team relatively in tact beyond this season. Dustin Brown's contract is for even longer than Richards and he's been a shell of his former self as well. They have some serious issues.
- HonkFortheGoose

But yet many here would take Brown in a heartbeat I bet.

Name recognition plays a factor, IMO.

I really never like these things, very rare that I do but this was too funny not share.

Also take into account that they actually chose not to buy him out (for free, cap wise, no less) because they respected him so much. Although it is possible, I just don't see a conspiracy here. If he's worth so much, even on the defensive side of the puck, why wouldn't he stick with the team? They gain less than a million in cap to have him NOT play in LA. It all seems to simply add up to him not being able to keep up. It should be an interesting story in the summer, or if he's traded and the Kings decide to retain salary.
- TheSabresTaco

possible nagging injury that needs surgery. ?

possible nagging injury that needs surgery. ?
- cabin

That would actually help them. If the Dr says, you need surgery, they put him on IR and his cap hit completely disappears for the time being. At least until he's healthy again.

Sekera: He was a great skater, had a nice crisp pass, and wasn't really put in a position to succeed here. I remember him dominating for a nice 15-game stretch. But man, those defensive mistakes he would make were glaring. Plus, his Corsi for his final year here was 10th worst in the league (Not surprisingly though, Mike Weber's was worse )

Richards: Pass, unless Hodgson goes back.

Me: Hungry, sick of Cody Hodgson.

Also take into account that they actually chose not to buy him out (for free, cap wise, no less) because they respected him so much. Although it is possible, I just don't see a conspiracy here. If he's worth so much, even on the defensive side of the puck, why wouldn't he stick with the team? They gain less than a million in cap to have him NOT play in LA. It all seems to simply add up to him not being able to keep up. It should be an interesting story in the summer, or if he's traded and the Kings decide to retain salary.
- TheSabresTaco

Because the move was made to try to get rid of his contract, not for the 1M savings to the cap (obligatory IMO here). My guess is they're still talking moves - both for him as well as other moves where at least the savings is helping for now.

The whole "re-find his game" BS is just media talk

Because the move was made to try to get rid of his contract, not for the 1M savings to the cap (obligatory IMO here). My guess is they're still talking moves - both for him as well as other moves where at least the savings is helping for now.

The whole "re-find his game" BS is just media talk
- stashu

I dunno. I think we can all agree he has a terrible contract. If all the 5's turned to 1's, I would, probably every fan and every team, would raise the Mike Richards flag. Then again, him being waived with that ideal contract would probably not even happen in the first place.

If Richards didn't have the years left on his contract, he would be on another team. Guy is a gamer with 2 cups and people think he's washed up is a joke.
- SABRES 89

He's still a serviceable NHL'er. However no one wants him at almost 6 a year.

He isn't the same player he was 3 years ago when he helped them win

I dunno. I think we can all agree he has a terrible contract. If all the 5's turned to 1's, I would, probably every fan and every team, would raise the Mike Richards flag. Then again, him being waived with that ideal contract would probably not even happen in the first place.
- TheSabresTaco

If the term was 3 years, I imagine he never makes it to waivers and is traded for something halfway decent.

That is the only reason he cleared waivers.

He's still a serviceable NHL'er. However no one wants him at almost 6 a year.

He isn't the same player he was 3 years ago when he helped them win
- sbroads24

He's washed up because of his contract, being on the 4th line didn't help. He needed a change and he will get one. A player like him won't stay in the AHL. The Kings are in cap hell and why not blame Richards, they can blame Brown just as much.

He's washed up because of his contract, being on the 4th line didn't help. He needed a change and he will get one. A player like him won't stay in the AHL. The Kings are in cap hell and why not blame Richards, they can blame Brown just as much.
- SABRES 89

He was jumping back and forth from the 4th line to the press box.

He was jumping back and forth from the 4th line to the press box.
- TheSabresTaco

Could have done the same with Brown if he wasn't the Captain, Browns contract is far worse.

He's washed up because of his contract, being on the 4th line didn't help. He needed a change and he will get one. A player like him won't stay in the AHL. The Kings are in cap hell and why not blame Richards, they can blame Brown just as much.
- SABRES 89

Brown's contract is even worse. And it's hard to just waive him, being that he's the captain and all...

Brown's contract is even worse. And it's hard to just waive him, being that he's the captain and all...
- HonkFortheGoose

The Kings are going to come crashing down very quickly. But to all of the fans it was probably worth it.