I really could see the Leafs making a deal for Richards seeing they've looked for help at the C positon for a few years.....but the only way this deal happens is if Lupul or Clarkson go back the other way....not sure how that help the Kings Cap situation for it to make sense.

I'd be surprised if a guy who hasn't topped 44 points since he left Philly, could get much more than 5.75 as a UFA.

He just seems to have lost his scoring touch. 13 goals over 99 games this season and last. The leafs already have a 5million 3rd liner in Clarkson so no thanks

I really could see the Leafs making a deal for Richards seeing they've looked for help at the C positon for a few years.....but the only way this deal happens is if Lupul or Clarkson go back the other way....not sure how that help the Kings Cap situation for it to make sense.
- Kinggilmour

Lupul could make some sense. for what was a down season, he would have still been 3rd on the kings in scoring last year. It's pretty risky though, from both sides

I think the concern is more about getting out of that cap hit and term for a team that is near the cap ceiling with the talk of the cap total not going up next year. Do you really think the Kings aren't a contender without Richards?
- nastyflyergirl

Of course they are, but he's an integral part of their post-season success. LA is built for the post-season. I don't care about corsi stats regular season stats and neither do the Kings. If he's playing up to LA's standards, I'm okay with it.

Of course they are, but he's an integral part of their post-season success. LA is built for the post-season. I don't care about corsi stats regular season stats and neither do the Kings. If he's playing up to LA's standards, I'm okay with it.
- Ersberg

you might be fine with it, but the salary cap is going to force LA to move him (or lose other important players for nothing).

LA has 57mil already committed next year to only 13 players......they have to re-sign 5-6 key players this offseason, who will all demand varying degrees of salary increase (some will be substantial....toffolli, williams, etc). You also have to consider the fact that Kopitar will probably get close to 10mil on his next deal.

LA is in cap hell, and they can't afford to pay a 3rd or 4th liner nearly 6 mil for the next 5 years.

he's a solid player for you, and performs in the post season, but the numbers just don't work.

Most teams would KILL for 1 cup in 10 years. They have 2 of the last 3 cups. Whatever they do, itll be ok.

Most teams would KILL for 1 cup in 10 years. They have 2 of the last 3 cups. Whatever they do, itll be ok.
- Trainfellow

Hell...some guys will even shoot a man in Reno just to watch him die. Crazy world we live in.

Don't want Richards back at all on the Flyers Unless he replaces either one of, Umberger,Vinny or MacDonald
- twpguy

But you guys love amac.

everything being said is cap will rise to at least 74 mil...if not more???
- jmdodgeser4

Not with the declining Canadian dollar, but why pay attention to news that's been going around for a month?

Completely bogus indicating Ottawa is interested in Richards.

They already have Zack Smith playing the wing and Pageau in the minors because they have too many centers.

Ek needed some clicks from Sens fans.

Make a trade already!!!

I don't see why the leafs would go after Richards. He is old and on the decline.
Also for years the organization has been saying they need a big center? Richards is 5'10-5'11 so size wise it's not much different then having bozie or Kadri on the ice..
Plus with holland playing we'll not much need for him.

Completely bogus indicating Ottawa is interested in Richards.

They already have Zack Smith playing the wing and Pageau in the minors because they have too many centers.

Ek needed some clicks from Sens fans.
- maaddmike

we do make the world go round

I like him too, seems like a nice guy.

I don't see why the leafs would go after Richards. He is old and on the decline.
Also for years the organization has been saying they need a big center? Richards is 5'10-5'11 so size wise it's not much different then having bozie or Kadri on the ice..
Plus with holland playing we'll not much need for him.
- Leafsnation94

he's only 1 year older than tyler bokak, and has been healthier and equally productive over the last 3 years (despite playing in LA's bottom six, and not having kessel and JVR on his wing)

he's only 1 year older than tyler bokak, and has been healthier and equally productive over the last 3 years (despite playing in LA's bottom six, and not having kessel and JVR on his wing)
- sensarmy_11

Bozak is not a first line center, he's only there cause of is chemistry with Phil.
And i wasn't saying bozak was better, I just don't think Richards would be a huge improvement.

Bozak is not a first line center, he's only there cause of is chemistry with Phil.
And i wasn't saying bozak was better, I just don't think Richards would be a huge improvement.
- Leafsnation94

i think he'd be a HUGE improvement over bozak. he puts up similar numbers to bozak while playing 3rd and 4th line minutes, with 3rd and 4th line linemates.

richards with kessel and JVR on his wing, IMO, would put up much better numbers.......add to that the fact that he's a better 2-way player than bozak.

lmao no way in hell Richards comes to Pitt. I mean I knew you always just made these up but at least put some thought into your lies. Pens are ridiculously thick down the middle, they're not bringing in another one anytime soon

i think he'd be a HUGE improvement over bozak. he puts up similar numbers to bozak while playing 3rd and 4th line minutes, with 3rd and 4th line linemates.

richards with kessel and JVR on his wing, IMO, would put up much better numbers.......add to that the fact that he's a better 2-way player than bozak.
- sensarmy_11

I guess I just don't see Richards the same way you do.. I think the leafs need someone bigger and FASTER then Richards.. I found speed is an issue with him.

And I prefer bozak at 4.25 mill over Richards 5.75..
With Kadri, Bernier and fransons deals ending I don't see how they can take that cap hit.

Does anyone else really think Richards would get better than 5x5.75 as a UFA this summer?

i think he'd be a HUGE improvement over bozak. he puts up similar numbers to bozak while playing 3rd and 4th line minutes, with 3rd and 4th line linemates.

richards with kessel and JVR on his wing, IMO, would put up much better numbers.......add to that the fact that he's a better 2-way player than bozak.
- sensarmy_11

No he doesn't. There's a big difference between 41 pts in 82 games and 49 pts in 58 games, or the 15 pts vs. 7 pts so far this season. Are these similar numbers you're referring to PIMs or faceoff %?

Martin sutter for Richards and Williams word I'm hearing
- Palmer117

That's actually not that bad but I would like to keep Williams.

If Richards gets traded it will SUCK but the cap hit is too high for too long.

Martin sutter for Richards and Williams word I'm hearing
- Palmer117

This is probably the best offer I've seen with Richards name in the conversation....but Williams name also being in the mix, if true, will hurt the Kings to lose him. Something's gotta happen though in order for somw of the youngsters to get their contracts. I still am hoping for an offseason trade with players of this caliber, but anythings possible

Of course they are, but he's an integral part of their post-season success. LA is built for the post-season. I don't care about corsi stats regular season stats and neither do the Kings. If he's playing up to LA's standards, I'm okay with it.
- Ersberg

Yes he is a winner. No doubt. you don't win a calder cup, gold medal and 2 cups without having winner listed next to your name but because of this stupid salary cap hard decisions have to be made all the time. To be Richards would fall under a hard decision needing to be made.

you might be fine with it, but the salary cap is going to force LA to move him (or lose other important players for nothing).

LA has 57mil already committed next year to only 13 players......they have to re-sign 5-6 key players this offseason, who will all demand varying degrees of salary increase (some will be substantial....toffolli, williams, etc). You also have to consider the fact that Kopitar will probably get close to 10mil on his next deal.

LA is in cap hell, and they can't afford to pay a 3rd or 4th liner on a team that's deep at center, despite being a 1st or 2nd liner on roughly 20 other teams, nearly 6 mil for the next 5 years.

he's a solid player for you, and performs in the post season, but the numbers just don't work.
- sensarmy_11

You didn't finish your sentence, but not to worry, most people leave off the appropriate ending. Now, the ending of the sentence does hold some weight, but if you look at his cap structure, it declines significantly over the next couple of seasons. He's still an affordable option, especially if there's an injury.