http://mayorsmanor.com/20...after-his-first-ahl-game/

Mike Richards AHL interview.

Late and dirty hits happen all the time. Physical players are never going to be perfect. The difference is Zack Kassian can play and reckless hits is all Rinaldo has to offer.

Zack Kassian is only 23 years old. He plays a more similar style to Steve Downie. Kassian was a good juniors player. He was teammates with Sean Couturier and Brayden Schenn in the 2011 world juniors. So I ask, what's the difference between waiting for Zack Kassian to develop, the same way we're waiting on Schenn and Couturier? Some fans are calling out our players to be cowards. I thought at the beginning of the season we should have signed Steve Ott. Now we lack in physical play. I think Kassian fills a need. I don't expect him to be a top six forward but he helps bring back a physical edge.
- SuperSchennBros

Sign Kassian as a FA in 2016. He's not worth trading for.

Welcome back
- PhillySportsGuy

I was hoping to stir the pot. The cheese was forming a skin on top.

/fullofsoup

But are they a "playoff hockey club?" asked Comcast SportsNet's Neil Hartman.

"There's no doubt that we're a playoff team," Giroux said. "We're going to prove it in the future."

He means 2017 right?

5’10″/172
- mayorofangrytown

Not too much smaller than guys like Tatar, Kucherov, Perreault, Read, Vatanen, etc.

- Tomahawk

Picasso-on-ice is not a very truculent description.

/Brian Burke'd

Not too much smaller than guys like Tatar, Kucherov, Perreault, Read, Vatanen, etc.
- Tomahawk

So you have a type?

Not too much smaller than guys like Tatar, Kucherov, Perreault, Read, Vatanen, etc.
- Tomahawk

Then we'll have to address size and physicality somewhere else because I think that's our biggest issue after sheer talent.

Then we'll have to address size and physicality somewhere else because I think that's our biggest issue after sheer talent.
- mayorofangrytown

I'd prefer players with some size, but if a player can play, then he can play. Gostisbehere isn't exactly big.

I'd prefer players with some size, but if a player can play, then he can play. Gostisbehere isn't exactly big.
- MJL

Neither is Giroux.

http://mayorsmanor.com/2015/01/mike-richards-very-candid-after-his-first-ahl-game/

Mike Richards AHL interview.
- mayorofangrytown

I don't want to take too much from this interview, but it's tough not to come away with the impression that he ain't changing no matter what.

Neither is Giroux.
- NickTheKid87

Exactly!

I'd prefer players with some size, but if a player can play, then he can play. Gostisbehere isn't exactly big.
- MJL

We need a better mix. The last thing we need is another player with middling on ice skills. We have plenty of them. We don't have enough guys who can take the puck away along the boards.

I don't want to take too much from this interview, but it's tough not to come away with the impression that he ain't changing no matter what.
- johndewar

I got the same impression. I fully expect Mike Richards to be back in the NHL this season.

We need a better mix. The last thing we need is another player with middling on ice skills. We have plenty of them. We don't have enough guys who can take the puck away along the boards.
- mayorofangrytown

They desperately need a skilled playmaking LW for the 2nd line.

They desperately need a skilled playmaking LW for the 2nd line.
- MJL

They desperately need a lot of things

They desperately need a lot of things
- mayorofangrytown

Add a top defenseman and a playmaking LW and they'd be a pretty dam good team.

Add a top defenseman and a playmaking LW and they'd be a pretty dam good team.
- MJL

They'll need more than that to jump into Cup consideration in my opinion.

I got the same impression. I fully expect Mike Richards to be back in the NHL this season.
- MJL

I'm not so sure.

If there are questions about his fitness levels (and there have been) and if he doesn't feel like he doesn't need to change anything (he clearly thinks his problem in LA was his role and a numbers game), then he might be in the AHL for the foreseeable future.

No one is going to want to take that guy's contract if he won't attempt to be more fit to keep up on the ice.

I'm not so sure.

If there are questions about his fitness levels (and there have been) and if he doesn't feel like he doesn't need to change anything (he clearly thinks his problem in LA was his role and a numbers game), then he might be in the AHL for the foreseeable future.

No one is going to want to take that guy's contract if he won't attempt to be more fit to keep up on the ice.
- johndewar

If he's not traded, the Kings will recall him for the playoffs.

Add a top defenseman and a playmaking LW and they'd be a pretty dam good team.
- MJL

add lundqvist and ryan kesler to the pens and they might make it out of the first round.

add lundqvist and ryan kesler to the pens and they might make it out of the first round.
- stayinthefnnet

A little down on your team are you?

A little down on your team are you?
- MJL

a tad.

No. Trying to find out if any news will come today.
- bmeltzer

Thank you, sir.

a tad.
- stayinthefnnet

I really thought you guys were going to get Kessler this past off season. He has really turned out to be probably the best off season pick by any team this year.