Only one man in NHL history has accomplished what Brad Richards will seek to do this season with the Detroit Red Wings, and Richards knows him well.
That’s because last spring, Richards won the Stanley Cup in Chicago with the Blackhawks and teammate Marian Hossa.
Hossa is the only player to perform in three straight Stanley Cup finals with three different teams – the 2008 Pittsburgh Penguins, the 2009 Red Wings and the 2010 Blackhawks.
Richards is two for two in that department, skating in the final with the 2014 New York Rangers and 2015 Blackhawks and doesn’t see why he can’t turn a hat-trick in Hockeytown.
“I just played a team that they had on the ropes in the finals,… Richards of last season’s Eastern Conference champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who needed seven games to eliminate the Wings in the opening round of the playoffs.
“This league's so tough, so crazy, bounces here, momentum here. Watching that series from afar, everybody kind of thought Detroit had them.
“We all assumed, well, not assumed, but kind of thought the Wings were going to close that series out. They didn't, but that shows you how close it is.
“I don't see why they can't compete (for the Cup). It's a young team that has a little more experience again. That's always valuable.…
Richards, along with defenseman Mike Green, comprise the upgrade in experience in the Detroit lineup. The Wings foresee Richards filling the second-line center role that never happened with Stephen Weiss, the previous free agent acquired to be that guy, but who was bought out in the summer following two injury-plagued seasons.
Richards, bought out himself by the Rangers in the summer of 2014, enjoyed a strong year with the Blackhawks, collecting 14 points in 23 playoff games. He’s scored 20 goals in four of his last six seasons.
“They've had lots of success in the past, bringing in veteran guys and integrating them into a role that fits,… Richards said of the Wings. “I got used to that type of thing in Chicago, going in and playing a certain role. It's not something that I was used to playing in my career before that and I think that prepared me more for being open-minded to different things.
“I know that they have lots of great players here, young players that will create a lot of enthusiasm and push and that's something that's always healthy. To be honest, I'm in a different frame of mind after winning a Cup than I was being bought out. I wasn't looking for as much. I had a little more confidence in myself, I guess.
“When teams were talking to me, I knew I could come in and help. That's what I plan to do here.…
As the Wings take to the ice Friday for the first time in training camp, Richards sees no reason why Detroit can’t help him complete his unique Stanley Cup hat-trick.
“I've obviously admired this team for a long time and it was no different the last few years,… Richards said. “Even though they hadn't made a long run, they're right there so that's always an impression. I'm very excited to be a Red Wing and play with some of these great players.
“You play around the league, you know enough players over the years that you get a feel for how organizations work and this has always been considered, if it's not the best organization, it's right there with any other organization. I just left a really good one recently and one before that in New York that does everything first-class and that's all I heard here.
“Not only that, they seem to be competing every year for a chance in the playoffs and that's all I ever want.…
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