Richards should get his a$$ into the league's substance abuse policy. Claim that injuries got him hooked.

Addiction is treated as a medical issue.

Would the league still allow the contract to be terminated? Would a court see addiction as a material breach?

Kings just opened up a big can of worms.
- RealityChecker

Agreed. This could get nasty and end up in the courts (if it does I'm sure there will be a lot of happy lawyers) - definitely an investigation by the NHLPA into what precisely the scenario was. Oxycodone is not illegal and it might be something that Richards required to deal with an injury (yes, it's ugly stuff but it does the job in controlling pain). There was nothing alluding to the fact that Richards was doing anything out side of the law; however, it seems the Kings have already assumed guilt, something which could get their ass handed to them by a court ruling (including perhaps even punitive damage as a result of tarring the reputation of an individual). It seems quite convenient that the Kings were able to void the contract (and hence get that awful cap-hit off their books) without seemingly any sort of full independent investigation.

This situation doesn't seem anywhere near as bad as what Malone did (cocaine abuse) and yet I believe he was nonetheless reinstated after re-hab? anyone know the exact details? as that would certainly be some sort of precedent

Just read this post from a ducks fan in regards to bieksa acquisition :

Today @ 7:51 PM ET
Yep, Beauchemin wanted 3 years, he knew Anaheim wanted to do 2 years max. Oh well, the Ducks defense just got younger and a little faster.


Did that guy just say faster?

- LeftCoaster

I honestly thought that was a poke at Canucks fans more than anything when it happened because both had recently been miffed about stuff in the media and radio shows.

Just read this post from a ducks fan in regards to bieksa acquisition :

Today @ 7:51 PM ET
Yep, Beauchemin wanted 3 years, he knew Anaheim wanted to do 2 years max. Oh well, the Ducks defense just got younger and a little faster.


Did that guy just say faster?
- bloatedmosquito

There has to be more to it - I just can't see the league allowing the Kings to just cancel his contract with this issue being settled one way or another.

Just read this post from a ducks fan in regards to bieksa acquisition :

Today @ 7:51 PM ET
Yep, Beauchemin wanted 3 years, he knew Anaheim wanted to do 2 years max. Oh well, the Ducks defense just got younger and a little faster.


Did that guy just say faster?
- bloatedmosquito

I think he meant a little lazier. Beauchamin just came off a season where he was injured and played some of his best hockey.

Benning that fuking tool should have traded bieksa on Friday so I could have got out a proper Tuesday post. I hate that guy. Worst GM ever.
- bloatedmosquito

Bipolar June.

Just read this post from a ducks fan in regards to bieksa acquisition :

Today @ 7:51 PM ET
Yep, Beauchemin wanted 3 years, he knew Anaheim wanted to do 2 years max. Oh well, the Ducks defense just got younger and a little faster.


Did that guy just say faster?
- bloatedmosquito

Younger? it's like one year difference. I guess technically younger.

Bipolar June.

- boonerbuck

I love cake.

Now I hate it.

I love cake.

Now I hate it.
- thundachunk

Make up your mind. Or don't.

Bipolar June.

- boonerbuck

Benning's fault that pillow biter.

Just read this post from a ducks fan in regards to bieksa acquisition :

Today @ 7:51 PM ET
Yep, Beauchemin wanted 3 years, he knew Anaheim wanted to do 2 years max. Oh well, the Ducks defense just got younger and a little faster.


Did that guy just say faster?
- bloatedmosquito

I feel bad for them, they'll think it's just Canuck fans ripping on a guy we traded like Kesler but Bieksa isn't nearly as effective as Kesler these days so they'll be in for a surprise.

I feel bad for them, they'll think it's just Canuck fans ripping on a guy we traded like Kesler but Bieksa isn't nearly as effective as Kesler these days so they'll be in for a surprise.
- Nucker101

Who gives a Sh!t money off the books.

Who gives a Sh!t money off the books.
- thundachunk

I dint really feel bad for them, it's our revenge for Sbisa.

I think he meant a little lazier. Beauchamin just came off a season where he was injured and played some of his best hockey.
- thundachunk

Beauchemin is definitely a tier above Bieksa.

Beauchemin is definitely a tier above Bieksa.
- Nucker101

Easily.

I dint really feel bad for them, it's our revenge for Sbisa.
- Nucker101

partial revenge only . I'd still take Bieksa over Sbisa 100 times out of a 100 and twice on Sundays.

partial revenge only . I'd still take Bieksa over Sbisa 100 times out of a 100 and twice on Sundays.
- Zogg

Meh, I'll take Sbisa's physical play and mobility. Same player otherwise for 1 mil less off the books.

I'll miss Bieksa's soundbites, but for a vet he sure seemed to come unglued pretty easily when things went awry.

Anyways, best of luck to KB.

partial revenge only . I'd still take Bieksa over Sbisa 100 times out of a 100 and twice on Sundays.
- Zogg

Agreed but so do the Ducks

Meh, I'll take Sbisa's physical play and mobility. Same player otherwise for 1 mil less off the books.
- boonerbuck

Sbisa is an excellent skater. well above most on the team.

Sbisa is an excellent skater. well above most on the team.
- thundachunk

Mason Raymond and Brandon McMillan are also excellent skaters...just saying.

Meh, I'll take Sbisa's physical play and mobility. Same player otherwise for 1 mil less off the books.
- boonerbuck

He gets the big hit in, which I feel makes the perception that he's defending well but looks lost out there otherwise. I'd take Bieksa over Sbisa in a heartbeat. Sbisa is simply just a bad player. Bieksa was a good player whose slowed down a bit due to age, but he was never anywhere near as bad on one of his worst days as Sbisa is consistently (at least he has that going for him )

Mason Raymond and Brandon McMillan are also excellent skaters...just saying.
- Nucker101

You forgot Elvis Stojko

Sbisa is an excellent skater. well above most on the team.
- thundachunk

unfortunately being a good skater or stickhandler doesn't always translate into success. You've got to have at least some modicum of hockey IQ so that you can utilize those skills to your advantage. So far, nothing has suggested (and we are going back quite a few years) that Sbisa will ever find any sort of 'A' game.

Mason Raymond and Brandon McMillan are also excellent skaters...just saying.
- Nucker101

remember Russ Courntall? the guy was a speed demon on the ice but just couldn't quite put things together. It seemed his hands/skills never caught up to his great speed - when I first saw him play I thought he might actually be a 40-50 goal scorer but you know how that all went. The point being, individual skills are great to have but if you aren't able to put it all together you aren't going to have that much success. Also, note that there have been a lot of 'poor' skaters who have had amazing careers.