My point was that everyone is speculating that it's drugs or something of that ilk, and with Lombardi supposedly finding out about it on Friday, that its been 3 days and nohting has been made public.

Makes it hard for me to believe that it's a legal issue.
- fecondo

You can't really terminate a contract for any other reason though.

In other news (may be leight)

A buyout of Sam Gagner would only cost the Flyers a cap hit of $366,667 this coming season and $566,667 the year after if Hextall chooses to go that route.

My point was that everyone is speculating that it's drugs or something of that ilk, and with Lombardi supposedly finding out about it on Friday, that its been 3 days and nohting has been made public.

Makes it hard for me to believe that it's a legal issue.
- fecondo

I was just thinking it maybe it was an altercation off the ice between Richards and a Kings official, or a player? I don't know, so many questions.

I would expect that from the NHLPA, since they were probably informed of this very recently. Richards is represented by a very high powered law firm.

Just thinking out loud here, the NHL could be opening a bad can of worms here. If they terminate Richards contract based on an off ice incident, that possibly didn't involve an arrest, they are setting a standard here. Any other off ice incident by another player, of the same basic level of seriousness, then has to be dealt with similarly. Or at least that is what I would argue if I was the Richards camp, or the NHLPA. I keep getting back to if it is an off ice incident, if there is no arrest, how bad could it be?
- MJL

conduct detrimental to the team is an easy one to use. Even I have gotten to use that one.
When I have seen that used though, it really was something that was going to be a black eye to a team/university (in my case).
But again, they could have used it on Voynov, so I have to think this is worse than that

What's the D line up look like this year assuming they re-sign MDZ?

I was just thinking it maybe it was an altercation off the ice between Richards and a Kings official, or a player? I don't know, so many questions.
- MJL

Possible, sure.

In other news (may be leight)

A buyout of Sam Gagner would only cost the Flyers a cap hit of $366,667 this coming season and $566,667 the year after if Hextall chooses to go that route.
- fecondo

I'm fine with whatever they do with Gagner.

I was just thinking it maybe it was an altercation off the ice between Richards and a Kings official, or a player? I don't know, so many questions.
- MJL

Indeed, far too many questions right now. Guess I'll wait to see what evidence LA has before I form an opinion. Just a crazy and strange scenario right now

What if Richards was approached quietly by law enforcement and has already confessed to save him / his family a long trial and maybe buy some sentence reduction. That, I assume, if made known to LAK would be grounds to void the contract.

conduct detrimental to the team is an easy one to use. Even I have gotten to use that one.
When I have seen that used though, it really was something that was going to be a black eye to a team/university (in my case).
But again, they could have used it on Voynov, so I have to think this is worse than that
- nails

How about fondling a police officer? Could that be considered conduct detrimental to the team, and give them a black eye?

How can it be worse then Voynov with no report of an arrest record?

What if Richards was approached quietly by law enforcement and has already confessed to save him / his family a long trial and maybe buy some sentence reduction. That, I assume, if made known to LAK would be grounds to void the contract.
- dcflyerfan71

He would still be arrested, which would be public record, and would've been made known publicly by now.

What if Richards was approached quietly by law enforcement and has already confessed to save him / his family a long trial and maybe buy some sentence reduction. That, I assume, if made known to LAK would be grounds to void the contract.
- dcflyerfan71

Somebody would have still leaked it, very hard to keep that quiet.

I would expect that from the NHLPA, since they were probably informed of this very recently. Richards is represented by a very high powered law firm.

Just thinking out loud here, the NHL could be opening a bad can of worms here. If they terminate Richards contract based on an off ice incident, that possibly didn't involve an arrest, they are setting a standard here. Any other off ice incident by another player, of the same basic level of seriousness, then has to be dealt with similarly. Or at least that is what I would argue if I was the Richards camp, or the NHLPA. I keep getting back to if it is an off ice incident, if there is no arrest, how bad could it be?
- MJL

Only thing I can find:

14. The Club may also terminate this SPC upon written notice to the Player (but only after obtaining Waivers from all other Clubs) if the Player shall at any time:

(a) fail, refuse, or neglect to obey the Club's rules governing training and conduct of Players, if such failure, refusal or neglect should constitute a material breach of this SPC.

(b) fail, refuse or neglect to render his services hereunder or in any other manner materially breach this SPC.

Extremely vague.

I agree, if not arrested that means no law was broken, but doesn't mean he can't get formally arrested at a later date.

I just have a hard time thinking this termination happened without major law firms representing the Kings breaking down the ramifications over ill found evidence. Obviously DL didn't make the call on a whim.

Good deal in getting rid of Rinaldo..

I thought he brought some useful things to the the team but his repeated transgressions on the ice pretty much overruled anything good he did.

I feel like Hexy has something coming...

Anyone find the comment from lombardi about not buying him out last year at the end of the article odd:
"It could be the worst decision I've ever made," he said. "But for all the right reasons."

Face value he is saying he should have bought him out because he sucks and his cap hit is terrible.
it's the but that gets me.
Like there was something wrong last year, they knew about it, but were trying to work through it with him.
it really could be drugs etc. and he didn't follow the program/clean up and it became a breach of contract by him not following the rules of his rehab.
Maybe Stoll gave Richards up as part of the plea, which would make the Friday timeline understandable.

He would still be arrested, which would be public record, and would've been made known publicly by now.
- MJL

I feel that there is a long history of white collar crime that gets special treatment due tot the personality involved. I dunno - just speculating.

Any ideas what rules are in place for performance improving drugs? Not necessarily illegal but might be cause for termination.
Course he could have just helped two criminals escape a maximum security prison in a love rectangle gone wrong.

I just have a hard time thinking this termination happened without major law firms representing the Kings breaking down the ramifications over ill found evidence. Obviously DL didn't make the call on a whim.
- Glak18

Richards representatives haven't had their say yet, that will come in the grievance process if there is one, and even possibly in other legal proceedings.

How about fondling a police officer? Could that be considered conduct detrimental to the team, and give them a black eye?

How can it be worse then Voynov with no report of an arrest record?
- MJL

Don't know.
Just saying what I have seen in the past.
But, fondling a police officer... people giggle at that.
And, lets be honest.
Stars get away with stuff that other don't.
Patrick Kane.

Not fair, but that's just reality

i refuse to speculate as it is not fair to anyone so im just going to assume he was chomping percocets by the handful

Any ideas what rules are in place for performance improving drugs? Not necessarily illegal but might be cause for termination.
Course he could have just helped two criminals escape a maximum security prison in a love rectangle gone wrong.

- FlyersGrace

Players are tested for performance enhancing drugs during training camp and during the season. I don't think that's it.

Way off topic but check out this LEGO bubble hockey project. https://ideas.lego.com/projects/84032 Unfortunately it needs 10,000 supporters to even be considered as a real set.

Somebody would have still leaked it, very hard to keep that quiet.
- ob18

Unless it's under the Patriot Act, then no one is leaking nothing. For the record that does not mean terrorism.

Players are tested for performance enhancing drugs during training camp and during the season. I don't think that's it.
- MJL

besides, this year, it didn't help

Don't know.
Just saying what I have seen in the past.
But, fondling a police officer... people giggle at that.
And, lets be honest.
Stars get away with stuff that other don't.
Patrick Kane.

Not fair, but that's just reality
- nails

Good point, Patrick Kane assaulted a taxi driver, correct? Why wasn't his contract terminated? I guess maybe because Chicago still wanted him as a player?