Mike Richards' production has tailed off pretty consistently over the last three seasons, and as a result we're hearing his name mentioned as a compliance buyout possibility for the Los Angeles Kings.
At first thought that may sound ludicrous, but with Richards' having six years remaining on his contract at $5.75 million per season and his production on the decline, it's not all that unrealistic.
Combine that with the fact the Kings need a big chunk of change to re-sign Marian Gaborik as well as a couple forwards and regulars on the backend, and Richards may be a commodity they can no longer afford.
While it's possible Richards could be moved if a team with cap space takes him on and convinces LA to eat some salary, at this point I'd think the more likely scenario is a buyout.
That leads me to my next point: is it crazy to think Richards could be a Devil in a little over a month's time?
Lou Lamoriello and the Devils always seem to gush over players of similar style to Richards, and at a reasonable salary it couldn't hurt to bring him in to try and help out the offense.
Richards played under head coach Pete DeBoer during his junior hockey days with the Kitchener Rangers, so they have a connection there as well.
I may be putting the cart before the horse here, but I think Richards' days in LA may be numbered and don't think it's a stretch to say the Devils would be interested.
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