01/17/2013: Richards finally back, front and center

[TC82]

Brad Richards finally hits ice for NY Rangers after absence from camp due to illness
Star center feeling better as Saturday's season opener against Bruins approaches
By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 10:38 PM

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/h...-front-center-article-1.1241600#ixzz2IDCJUrrE

Richards acknowledged it will be easier for him to recover this season than it would have been if he had missed this much camp last year. Then, he still was reacclimating himself to John Tortorella, his coach on the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, after signing with the Rangers two summers ago.

“If this would have happened last year it probably would have been a lot harder, but most of the guys know the coaches, know the system,†Richards said, referring also to a more defined projected roster for the start of the 48-game season. “It’s just trying to get rest and put in good (work) the rest of the week. Everything is a lot easier this year and everything is on track and better.â€

Another poll. How many points will Richards score? 48-game season, folks.

Click to read more...

 

[Machinehead]

Who got him sick? I want said player suspended

45-49. I'd love to see Richards bounce back with a PPG or near it season. Certainly not out of the question.

 

[TC82]

Who got him sick? I want said player suspended

45-49. I'd love to see Richards bounce back with a PPG or near it season. Certainly not out of the question.

Even with the addition of Nash, I don't think this team will be scoring that many goals to enable Richards to put up a PPG. Not in a shortened season and in Torts' system altered to play playoff hockey for 48 games. Maybe next season, but I don't see it happening this season.

I still voted 40-44 points, but seeing as I already voted 40+ for Gaborik and Nash, I might be thinking too big here. To have 3 players almost or over PPG in one season - even a short one - is a bit unrealistic.

 

[iamitter]

Even with the addition of Nash, I don't think this team will be scoring that many goals to enable Richards to put up a PPG. Not in a shortened season and in Torts' system altered to play playoff hockey for 48 games. Maybe next season, but I don't see it happening this season.

I still voted 40-44 points, but seeing as I already voted 40+ for Gaborik and Nash, I might be thinking too big here. To have 3 players almost or over PPG in one season - even a short one - is a bit unrealistic.

40 points for each is a 68 point pace.

 

[TC82]

40 points for each is a 68 point pace.

Yeah, but 42 is already 72 and so on. Plus we have to take into account that players might miss games (flu, groins, whatever) so e.g. 43 pts might still be a PPG

I'm just saying that it's unlikely to have a lot of players having over 40+ points. If, then it will be Gabs, Nash and Richards, but I don't know if all 3 will manage it.

 

[Killem Dafoe]

50-54.

I see him playing really well with Nash and seriously improving production wise from last year. This team in general is just going to tear it up, God I'm so excited.

 

[gary laser eyes]

The only way Richards will approach PPG is if they get the power play in order. Last time the PP was anywhere near decent was prob the Jagr-Prucha season. Last year was somewhere in the 16% region I think I remember. It has to be closer, if not more than 20%. Hopefully they figure that out this year, because in such a short season, getting consistent scoring from the PP will be crucial.

 

[The Gloaming]

Two things must happen for Richie to be PPG:

Our powerplay has to become an actual powerplay, not killing two minutes.

He gets chemistry with Nash like he had with Eriksson in Dallas.

 

[TheRedViper]

50-54.

I think he'll lead us in points. Playing with Nash fulltime and with Gaborik ++ on the PP.

Nothing more than a feeling.

 

[RangersFan]

if nash really provides that extra playmaking ability that's been sorely needed on this team i see richards winding up with the most points of the big 3. i expect many assists if gabby and nash put the puck in the net like they are expected to do.

 

[Nanaki]

40-44. Just below a point per game.

 

[UnderPSI]

I'm guessing anywhere from 35-45pts. You just never know.

All I know is that man was clutch last year with his goal scoring. We can only hope he continues.

 

[CTRanger]

Around 40 pts.

 

[raylol16]

I think playing with Nash will get him to about a PPG.

 

[pld459666]

the make up of the team and the style that they employ will never result in any one player being over a point a game, at least not significantly so.

I believe we have three legit point per game players in Richards, Gaborik and Nash.

So, for all three I selected 45-49 points

 

[TC82]

if nash really provides that extra playmaking ability that's been sorely needed on this team i see richards winding up with the most points of the big 3. i expect many assists if gabby and nash put the puck in the net like they are expected to do.

BY playmaking do you mean passing or just being able to "make plays" e.g. score goals, make room for others. Because Nash has never been much of a playmaker when it comes to passing.

 

[RangersFan]

BY playmaking do you mean passing or just being able to "make plays" e.g. score goals, make room for others. Because Nash has never been much of a playmaker when it comes to passing.

you answered it within your own post.

 

[bernmeister]

Points, not only G or A
Season only, not post season also.

went w/35-39
round # =
like 10 to dozen G
+
ballpark 25 assists

 

[Inferno]

When you play a defensive system, and have this many offensive stars...theres only so much of a limited puck to go around. everyones points will be down, imho, but more people will have better seasons, if that makes sense..

I think Nash, Gabby and Richards all have 40-45 point seasons, that would be 3 guys on a team having 75ish points...not many teams can say they have that ability. Then you have Cally and Stepan who are legitimate 50 point guys...that's a lot of firepower.

How many teams can boast 5 guys over 50 points on their team? Philly, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Boston...what do all those teams have in common? Top goal scoring teams in the NHL.

Now, how many of those guys can go toe to toe with Lundqvist, McDonagh, Staal, Girardi, MDZ, and Stralman in terms of their back end.


On paper, this team looks like it could be something special.

 

[TheTakedown]

BY playmaking do you mean passing or just being able to "make plays" e.g. score goals, make room for others. Because Nash has never been much of a playmaker when it comes to passing.

Nash hasn't shown that ability because Nash did not have anyone to MAKE plays WITH.... When you have to carry your own team, it's tough to just toss the puck into the center when you have Detroit/Phoenix/LA (western teams) Defense in the way... Plain and simple..

This year, for the first time ever in his career, Nash will have not one, but several people to pass the puck to. He will also have several more people that will pass the puck to him

When you play a defensive system, and have this many offensive stars...theres only so much of a limited puck to go around. everyones points will be down, imho, but more people will have better seasons, if that makes sense..

I think Nash, Gabby and Richards all have 40-45 point seasons, that would be 3 guys on a team having 75ish points...not many teams can say they have that ability. Then you have Cally and Stepan who are legitimate 50 point guys...that's a lot of firepower.

How many teams can boast 5 guys over 50 points on their team? Philly, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Boston...what do all those teams have in common? Top goal scoring teams in the NHL.

Now, how many of those guys can go toe to toe with Lundqvist, McDonagh, Staal, Girardi, MDZ, and Stralman in terms of their back end.


On paper, this team looks like it could be something special.

Plus none of those teams have neither the fiery angst of Torts as a person, as well as Torts ridiculously defensive system.

 

[silverfish]

I think Richie explodes this year, 50-54. March + April last regular season he went 24 points (7 goals) in 21 games. That's when I think the comfort in NY really came full circle. Add Nash to the PP that he QBs, and I've got high hopes.

 

[Inferno]

I think Richie explodes this year, 50-54. March + April last regular season he went 24 points (7 goals) in 21 games. That's when I think the comfort in NY really came full circle. Add Nash to the PP that he QBs, and I've got high hopes.

he did that while playing with Gabby. Splitting them up and putting Nash on that line creates a new dynamic...does it work? does it not work? who knows?

 

[Thirty One]

he did that while playing with Gabby. Splitting them up and putting Nash on that line creates a new dynamic...does it work? does it not work? who knows?

I do. It will work.

 

[GordonGecko]

Hope he can pick it up soon because right now he's playing like 7 more years of 6.7 Million $ dead weight

 

[Thirty One]

Can I change my vote to 0 points? He's turrible.

Stepan scored and Boyle is out of the lineup so I need to direct my anger somewhere.

LOUD NOISES.