That is going to be fascinating -- I wonder what it is they are going to say he didn't do or what standard he did not meet

Mandatory workouts? Meeting with their training staff? Failure to report for a physical?

This is going to be really interesting
- AllInForFlyers

There is almost no way-short of Richards having a serious off ice issue-that the NHLPA doesn't file a grievance. If they don't, it will lead to all sorts of rumors about Richards having drug or alcohol issues and refusing to get treatment and other nefarious stuff.

isn't there like a statute of limitations or somethi g on that? i mean if that's the reason, shouldn't they have terminated lastyear?
- JoeRussomanno

Nope. If I sign a 12 year deal, that says I can't drink beer, and I do it in year one and they find out 5 years later, I'm still in breach.

Lombardi's not stupid -- they know that a grievance has to be coming

They have something on him. Don't know what, but they're going to allege something specific
- AllInForFlyers

I was thinking the same thing. Lombardi has a law degree as well as years of experience dealing with contracts from both an agent and GM perspective. I would speculate he's got some kind of substantial evidence for his claim.

There is a specific clause that says the player must follow the team's rules on conditioning and conduct or they can terminate the contract.

Last summer Lombardi told Richards to stay in LA and get into better shape for the season. He didn't which, by the letter of the law, is a valid reason to terminate the deal.
- Jsaquella

Just seems like a hail mary to get away from the buyout. The timing is very convenient and I think it will be hard to prove. He did play 53 games for them and some in the AHL. If conditioning was such a hindrance then the issue should have been taken care of during the season.

It will be curious to see how this all plays out.

They tried to trade him to Edmonton but Sweeney wanted Darnell Nurse and for Edmonton that was a non starter.
- mayorofangrytown

I may have dealt the potential of Nurse for the known quantity of Hamilton

There is almost no way-short of Richards having a serious off ice issue-that the NHLPA doesn't file a grievance. If they don't, it will lead to all sorts of rumors about Richards having drug or alcohol issues and refusing to get treatment and other nefarious stuff.
- Jsaquella

There has to be a grievance -- I mean, you have to file one. You could be doing cocaine off hookers, on camera, and you'd still have to file a grievance on that one

Nope. If I sign a 12 year deal, that says I can't drink beer, and I do it in year one and they find out 5 years later, I'm still in breach.
- Jsaquella

wow

Michael McCann
@McCannSportsLaw
@FriedgeHNIC Also relevant text: Mike Richards can only challenge via arbitration + Bettman would be the arbitrator. pic.twitter.com/q8Vefd7kpY

I think the Kings are trying to avoid paying Richards for the next 12 years, and getting nailed with a $4mm cap hit in 2018-19 & 2019-20
- Jsaquella

Of course. I guess we'll see how they spend on and after July 1. Do they leave open some cap space in case there's a ruling against them, and Richards money is still on the cap? Or do they spend a lot knowing full well they are 100% certain a ruling won't go against them?

I may have dealt the potential of Nurse for the known quantity of Hamilton
- nails

You are not alone

Elliotte Friedman tweeted this


- Jsaquella

so it could be a couple of things there.
Could be conduct
could be training
could be conduct that led to training
but man, voided contract, no pay. He will be lucky to get a Heatly contract now.

Michael McCann
@McCannSportsLaw
@FriedgeHNIC Also relevant text: Mike Richards can only challenge via arbitration + Bettman would be the arbitrator. pic.twitter.com/q8Vefd7kpY
- BulliesPhan87

WHAAAATTTTT

Are you even being serious right now

How the (frank) can Bettman rule on something like this -- he's the commissioner of all 30 teams, which means he is the commissioner of every single team the Kings play against

If I'm the Anaheim Ducks or San Jose Sharks, and the commissioner lets the Kings catch that Hail Mary for cap relief, I would not rest until he was replaced

Of course. I guess we'll see how they spend on and after July 1. Do they leave open some cap space in case there's a ruling against them, and Richards money is still on the cap? Or do they spend a lot knowing full well they are 100% certain a ruling won't go against them?
- eayost

so, how can this work on Vinny?
Could any of his statements be used against him?

- -davies-

He can't believe it

WHAAAATTTTT

Are you even being serious right now

How the (frank) can Bettman rule on something like this -- he's the commissioner of all 30 teams, which means he is the commissioner of every single team the Kings play against

If I'm the Anaheim Ducks or San Jose Sharks, and the commissioner lets the Kings catch that Hail Mary for cap relief, I would not rest until he was replaced
- AllInForFlyers

NFL works the same way I believe

Kings reporters are saying that Richards was told to stay in LA this summer and work on his conditioning and he refused.

TFP's Dave Pagnotta says the Kings are very comfortable that the termination will stand, regardless.

It will be a year of litigation for the NHL.

Coyotes
riberio
Richards
who knows, maybe the pronger contract

so, how can this work on Vinny?
Could any of his statements be used against him?
- nails

Refusal to play well at LW?

Kings reporters are saying that Richards was told to stay in LA this summer and work on his conditioning and he refused.

TFP's Dave Pagnotta says the Kings are very comfortable that the termination will stand, regardless.
- Jsaquella

That will be interesting.
How could it possibly be in the original contract that he was required to stay in LA to condition over the summer.
I bet they get fought on this being a loose interpretation of that clause in the contract.

Kings reporters are saying that Richards was told to stay in LA this summer and work on his conditioning and he refused.

TFP's Dave Pagnotta says the Kings are very comfortable that the termination will stand, regardless.
- Jsaquella

If that's the case, Richards is one dumb Mofo.

I may have dealt the potential of Nurse for the known quantity of Hamilton
- nails

What if they wanted Nurse and two second round picks? You still do that?

Sweeney wanted to deal Hamilton for the 3rd to draft Hanifin but he wanted more than just the third while AZ wanted more than Hamilton for the 3rd. Calgary looks like a fall back now.

Kings reporters are saying that Richards was told to stay in LA this summer and work on his conditioning and he refused.

TFP's Dave Pagnotta says the Kings are very comfortable that the termination will stand, regardless.
- Jsaquella

The timing is just so convenient. They knew when the season started he didn't stay in LA to train. They still played him and then when they couldn't trade him they decided now was a good time to terminate the contract to avoid the cap penalties.

I understand contracts and everything and the COC involved. Still think this looks a little shady

Kings reporters are saying that Richards was told to stay in LA this summer and work on his conditioning and he refused.

TFP's Dave Pagnotta says the Kings are very comfortable that the termination will stand, regardless.
- Jsaquella

Huh.

That's going to be fascinating

WHAAAATTTTT

Are you even being serious right now

How the (frank) can Bettman rule on something like this -- he's the commissioner of all 30 teams, which means he is the commissioner of every single team the Kings play against

If I'm the Anaheim Ducks or San Jose Sharks, and the commissioner lets the Kings catch that Hail Mary for cap relief, I would not rest until he was replaced
- AllInForFlyers

No doubt 29 (ok, maybe 28) other teams aren't going to be happy about the Kings getting a freebie.