Jason Lewis: Mike Richards is Going Nowhere, and That's the Right Call

Have no real opinion. DL knows what is what, and why his season was lacking in Productivity. He would have been shipped out or bought out if there was a need. Wonder what Browns excuse was? Same? Sense of intitlement from previous 2 years of success!? Resulting in too little pre season prep.

Regardless, I would like to see the Kings get a little more Chicagoesque on the back end. Love WM , MG and RR but their lack of speed almost was the Kings demise this year. Soooo strong Down the middle and much improved on the wings, now just give us a little more speed and puck handling on the back end and there will be a couple of more cups.

Absolutely the right call. Even if you guys are to the point where you don't see Richards in your blueprint for the future, a number of teams would be willing to take a chance on him via trade. Memorial Cup. Gold Medal. Stanley Cups. The guy is a proven winner. I'd love to have him on the Leafs

I hated Richards as a Flyer. But if the Kings let him go, I would have loved for the Pens to pick him up. I agree with you, give him a year and then if he does't rebound then trade him. I definately think the Kings would have options.

I know Richards had a tough year but you trade guys like that at your own peril! When the chips are down, he's the last player the coach, teammates or anyone else will need to worry about (except the opponent).

100%. Not to mention that if the Kings wanted to move him, there would be plenty of fair offers that would be better than a freaking buy out.

Mike Richards is far from the player in the video. He got his big contract and then became complacent in Philly. We all here in Philly saw it. He now has 2 cups with a team that most likely would have won it without him and still has that contract. What incentive does he have to get better? And trade him if he has another down year? What team would give up anything of value AND take on his contract? Yes he is in his prime but how many great players decline in their prime? The Kings don't need Mike Richards to be successful and they could use the money to be even better.

I hated Richards as a Flyer. But if the Kings let him go, I would have loved for the Pens to pick him up. I agree with you, give him a year and then if he does't rebound then trade him. I definately think the Kings would have options.
- crebar

Crosby would never let that happen.

Its the right call. Deano is a loyal man. But I believe he knows when loyalty will hurt him. Its to soon on Richards. Just like Brown having a rough time. Dean waits it out. Lets the guys work through it.

Now I just hope we can get Gaborik signed. I have a weird feeling we will and he wont get as much as people think he will. I think he really enjoyed himself in a winning environment. Thinking he might take that for what its worth to stick around. Or he only needed one cup and then cash in on someone else.

Mike Richards is far from the player in the video. He got his big contract and then became complacent in Philly. We all here in Philly saw it. He now has 2 cups with a team that most likely would have won it without him and still has that contract. What incentive does he have to get better? And trade him if he has another down year? What team would give up anything of value AND take on his contract? Yes he is in his prime but how many great players decline in their prime? The Kings don't need Mike Richards to be successful and they could use the money to be even better.
- Daveflyers36

I could agree that the Kings dont need Richards. But he isnt a bad thing to keep if he can turn it around and get back to a 50+ point production. You sound a bit bitter about him not being on your team anymore. The general consensus is that there is a market for him.

Not the right call. Poor business decision. When it comes time for Muzzin, Martinez, Toffoli, Pearson to get paid and Richards is making a 5.5 cap hit on the fourth line. There will be no way out.

Mike Richards is far from the player in the video. He got his big contract and then became complacent in Philly. We all here in Philly saw it. He now has 2 cups with a team that most likely would have won it without him and still has that contract. What incentive does he have to get better? And trade him if he has another down year? What team would give up anything of value AND take on his contract? Yes he is in his prime but how many great players decline in their prime? The Kings don't need Mike Richards to be successful and they could use the money to be even better.
- Daveflyers36

100% correct. He will struggle for another year and than be traded to Florida for a 7th pick.

I know Richards had a tough year but you trade guys like that at your own peril! When the chips are down, he's the last player the coach, teammates or anyone else will need to worry about (except the opponent).
- BOSS_TWEED

It wasn't just one tough year. He's slow, can't skate, isn't aggressive, can't stay on his feet, and forces terrible passes. This has been going on longer than 1 tough year.

Not the right call. Poor business decision. When it comes time for Muzzin, Martinez, Toffoli, Pearson to get paid and Richards is making a 5.5 cap hit on the fourth line. There will be no way out.
- kings#7

Plenty of way out of that contract.

100% correct. He will struggle for another year and than be traded to Florida for a 7th pick.
- kings#7

Which is still better than shelling out millions

I could agree that the Kings dont need Richards. But he isnt a bad thing to keep if he can turn it around and get back to a 50+ point production. You sound a bit bitter about him not being on your team anymore. The general consensus is that there is a market for him.
- poisondhearts37

There is no bitterness here. Pronger was more the reason than Richards the Flyers went to the cup finals. The Flyers weren't going to win a cup if we had kept Richards. Yes it isn't a bad thing IF he turns it around but look at his play and production since signing that contract. I will ask again, what incentive is there for him to play better? And that market for him will dwindle if he has another bad year.
I get the GM wants to be loyal to his players(we don't have that here in Philly) but he is gambling based on what Richards told him.

There is no bitterness here. Pronger was more the reason than Richards the Flyers went to the cup finals. The Flyers weren't going to win a cup if we had kept Richards. Yes it isn't a bad thing IF he turns it around but look at his play and production since signing that contract. I will ask again, what incentive is there for him to play better? And that market for him will dwindle if he has another bad year.
I get the GM wants to be loyal to his players(we don't have that here in Philly) but he is gambling based on what Richards told him.
- Daveflyers36

Oilers and Ducks fans would agree that this more than likely.

Not the right call. Poor business decision. When it comes time for Muzzin, Martinez, Toffoli, Pearson to get paid and Richards is making a 5.5 cap hit on the fourth line. There will be no way out.
- kings#7

You don't seem to understand, that the locker room this team has drives it more than anything.

NHL teams are starved for players with a winning mentality. You don't F with a team that has 2 cups and 3 WCF appearances in the last 3 years.

Given how bad this franchise was and how much bad hockey I watched for a number of years pre-Lombardi, I am going to give Dean the benefit of the doubt.

You don't seem to understand, that the locker room this team has drives it more than anything.

NHL teams are starved for players with a winning mentality. You don't F with a team that has 2 cups and 3 WCF appearances in the last 3 years.

Given how bad this franchise was and how much bad hockey I watched for a number of years pre-Lombardi, I am going to give Dean the benefit of the doubt.
- fsanford

Agreed. At this moment, there's no need to give up on richards.

And its definitely not worth it when you consider how upset Carter would be...

Keeping Richards with Carter now and forever

Keeping Richards with Carter now and forever
- Ledgermain

Well probably long enough for another couple of Championships anyway. You guys keeping Sid and Malkin forever?

100% correct. He will struggle for another year and than be traded to Florida for a 7th pick.
- kings#7

Not a chance. I mean really, is this a joke?

Well probably long enough for another couple of Championships anyway. You guys keeping Sid and Malkin forever?
- Jeropotato

Of course it's the right call, but not because they want to keep him! It's the right call because they know there is interest in him and getting something is better than nothing and paying out a pile of cash! He has played his last game in a Kings uniform.

You don't seem to understand, that the locker room this team has drives it more than anything.

NHL teams are starved for players with a winning mentality. You don't F with a team that has 2 cups and 3 WCF appearances in the last 3 years.

Given how bad this franchise was and how much bad hockey I watched for a number of years pre-Lombardi, I am going to give Dean the benefit of the doubt.
- fsanford

Umm I understand the locker room. It will be fine with or without Richards. I think he is going to have a good season tho because he WANTS to stay with the team. He knows that if he doesn't perform, he will be wearing a new uniform.