Brad Richards Part II

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I think Boyle will continue playing as well as he has in the playoffs, and it makes the decision that much easier in my mind.

Brassard has supplanted him — hopefully he continues to produce in the upcoming series, and I expect it (maybe not to this extent, but I think he can be a 60+ point center). Brassard was easily the highest scoring player in that series — whereas players like Backstrom, Ovechkin, Stepan, and Nash were held to two points (Backstrom had three, but you get the point).

 

[Fitzy]

I think they will most certainly keep hi around net year. Whether or not he returns to form, having center depth will be great. Keep Boyle, as well. If we're shipping anyone out, should be Pyatt.

Try to add Jagr, maybe, but for the most part they should look to stay steady for an offseason.

 

[SickNice]

He's still owed 36 million.

So no matter when we buy him out, Dolan will have to sign a really fat check. That's what I'm saying.

That's incorrect. Players are bought out at 2/3 remaining contract value. Richards has 36mm left after this year, so a buyout would cost 24mm.

Regardless, that's a massive amount of money and I can't see him being bought out because of that.

 

[Brooklyn Ranger]

That's incorrect. Players are bought out at 2/3 remaining contract value. Richards has 36mm left after this year, so a buyout would cost 24mm.

Regardless, that's a massive amount of money and I can't see him being bought out because of that.

According to capgeek, the rules have not changed--a player like Richards would receive 2/3 of his remaining contract over twice the number of years remaining on the contract. Twenty-four million over 14 years is much easier to hide on a balance sheet.

Not saying it's going to happen, but being stuck with Richards' cap hit until 2019 would be hard to work around. He looks completely lost out there.

http://www.capgeek.com/buyout-calculator/?player_id=690

 

[Ross Rhea*]

That's incorrect. Players are bought out at 2/3 remaining contract value. Richards has 36mm left after this year, so a buyout would cost 24mm.

Regardless, that's a massive amount of money and I can't see him being bought out because of that.

He's definitely being bought out by the end of the amnesty period next offseason, so they'll be paying him to play for another team next year or in the 2014 season. There's zero chance he plays out the length of the term. Oh God, can you imagine?

 

[Ross Rhea*]

If what some of the posts have been saying about us not being able to buy him out next offseason if he's injured next season is true, that it's definitely not worth chancing it. You buy him out in June and be done with him.

 

[tjs252]

Problem is, if he gets injured, we can't buy him out. He instantly becomes a 6 year anchor.

The thing with this is, there's every incentive for Richards to stay healthy. The buyout doesn't restrict his future salary (like you'd find with other contract issues) as there's no offset, it's free money. Looked at another way, any injury that would potentially preclude a buyout would put him on LTIR (no cap ramifications) or retirement (and I don't believe cap-recapture starts until 2015). I never understood the "can't risk him getting hurt" argument...unless I'm wrong about the recapture thing.

 

[NYR Viper]

All legitimate questions. A lot of fans have been sold on Brassard thanks to a solid 10 games and playoff series. Not me.

I think theres no doubt that even this disaster version of Richards make the team deeper at center next year. But I keep circling around to whats the point of hanging onto him if hes going to be in a reduced role? Its just a stay of execution.

And this is coming from a guy that likes Richards a lot. His game has just fallen off a cliff. Business is business.

I just don't even see him as that great of a stop-gap for next season anymore. Also, one would have to think there will be other players who will be amnestied this year.

because he can have a chance to redeem himself next season and if not, we still have the buyout in our pocket after next season. while he has been horrendous, he was still on a 60 point pace this year. i just don't see where we're going to find a 60 point center to be his replacement.

Stephen Weiss is an option. Richards, to me, does not look anything like a 60 point center. Also injuries.

I think Richards will be with the Rangers next season, solely as a stop gap for Lindberg. Rangers will want to ease Lindberg into the lineup. Rangers have 3 good centers right now and if Lindberg comes in and produces Rangers have 4 and Richards will not only become expendable, but bringing his contract off the books is huge.

Why? Lindberg is not 20 years old. He has been playing for a few years against men in the SEL. They will say all the right things, such as they don't want to rush him etc. But I can almost bet they want to see him in NY ASAP next season.

Miller is another option after another off-season of training.

I think they will most certainly keep hi around net year. Whether or not he returns to form, having center depth will be great. Keep Boyle, as well. If we're shipping anyone out, should be Pyatt.

Try to add Jagr, maybe, but for the most part they should look to stay steady for an offseason.

I am hoping they amnesty Richards and ship out Powe and Pyatt. Either replace them from within or go out and get some more snarl for the bottom-6. Players like Thomas, Fasth, Lindberg, Kreider and Miller will need spots sooner or later.

 

[RangerBoy]

Compliance buyout rules follow paragraph 13 of the SPC. The terms are different from the 2005 CBA which saw the player get paid over the remaining term and not twice the term.

 

[Jersey Girl]

The thing with this is, there's every incentive for Richards to stay healthy. The buyout doesn't restrict his future salary (like you'd find with other contract issues) as there's no offset, it's free money. Looked at another way, any injury that would potentially preclude a buyout would put him on LTIR (no cap ramifications) or retirement (and I don't believe cap-recapture starts until 2015). I never understood the "can't risk him getting hurt" argument...unless I'm wrong about the recapture thing.

You're making it sound like Richards can decide whether he gets hurt or not. Sometimes you play hockey...you get hurt. It happens.

And we cannot afford Richards getting hurt next season. Period.

 

[*Bob Richards*]

The thing with this is, there's every incentive for Richards to stay healthy. The buyout doesn't restrict his future salary (like you'd find with other contract issues) as there's no offset, it's free money. Looked at another way, any injury that would potentially preclude a buyout would put him on LTIR (no cap ramifications) or retirement (and I don't believe cap-recapture starts until 2015). I never understood the "can't risk him getting hurt" argument...unless I'm wrong about the recapture thing.

From what I know, nearly all athletes have 0 say in whether they get injured or not. Richards is no different.

 

[RangerBoy]

The Rangers win game 7 and the sentiment is now keep Richards. LTI for Richards. He has 7 years remaining on his contract. Long term IR is complicated. Its only comes into play for a long term injury. You're assuming its a career ending injury. In any other case,the Rangers will be forced to make a million moves to work around the cap hit. Richards still counts against the summer cap if its a career ending injury and he doesn't retire because he wants to get paid like Savard in Boston. The $24M paid out over 14 years is $1.7M per for Richards. Cap recapture comes into play if Richards retires. Look at the last 3 years of the contract where he makes $3M combined. The Rangers are screwed if he doesn't play the last 3 years. They are screwed if he plays the last 3 years.

 

[BroadwayHustle]

I just don't even see him as that great of a stop-gap for next season anymore. Also, one would have to think there will be other players who will be amnestied this year.



Stephen Weiss is an option. Richards, to me, does not look anything like a 60 point center. Also injuries.



Why? Lindberg is not 20 years old. He has been playing for a few years against men in the SEL. They will say all the right things, such as they don't want to rush him etc. But I can almost bet they want to see him in NY ASAP next season.

Miller is another option after another off-season of training.



I am hoping they amnesty Richards and ship out Powe and Pyatt. Either replace them from within or go out and get some more snarl for the bottom-6. Players like Thomas, Fasth, Lindberg, Kreider and Miller will need spots sooner or later.

I believe you are right and the thought was to have Fast and Lindberg over immediately and that they could make an impact as soon as they are in the lineup. But we have no forward spots open especially with Kreider and Miller fighting for spots.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

A contender shouldn't be in the game of hoping kids can come in and fill spots - see Kreider this year.

If Lindberg (or Miller) win the job in camp that's great. Richards gets <10 min a game and some PP time and is bought out next summer.

But expecting it is a risky business. As would be giving Weiss who knows how much for how long (UFA centers get paid, period)...again having no way of unloading his contract after using the last buyout on Richards. And unless the team is planning to make another huge trade or land a big FA the cap space for next year isn't worth a ton...certainly not a 50-60pt player who adds depth up front.

 

[toewsintangibles]

What a bust

Being a Rangers fan has nearly made me discriminate anyone over 30 years old (which in some years will make me hate myself)

Atleast we have a compliance buyout if Dolan wants to dole up the cash

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

What a bust

Being a Rangers fan has nearly made me discriminate anyone over 30 years old (which in some years will make me hate myself)

Atleast we have a compliance buyout if Dolan wants to dole up the cash

Its not these guys' faults for failing to live up to their contracts.

Its Sathers fault for doling them out to make up for his organization's failures to develop young blue chip talent.

Dont worry, Papa Dolan will write another huge check to sweep another bad signing under the rug, and people will forget about it. Not me though. Ill be thinking of how those tens of millions of dollars could have been budgeted for scouting and other activities to benefit the NY Rangers.

 

[Oak]

If what some of the posts have been saying about us not being able to buy him out next offseason if he's injured next season is true, that it's definitely not worth chancing it. You buy him out in June and be done with him.

Yes. This has been one of my big worries and the main reason I think he needs to go ASAP.

 

[NYR Viper]

A contender shouldn't be in the game of hoping kids can come in and fill spots - see Kreider this year.

If Lindberg (or Miller) win the job in camp that's great. Richards gets <10 min a game and some PP time and is bought out next summer.

But expecting it is a risky business. As would be giving Weiss who knows how much for how long (UFA centers get paid, period)...again having no way of unloading his contract after using the last buyout on Richards. And unless the team is planning to make another huge trade or land a big FA the cap space for next year isn't worth a ton...certainly not a 50-60pt player who adds depth up front.

If you have a player like Boyle who can at least fill in on the 3rd line C, then it is okay. At some point, you can't go out and sign someone if you have 2-3 kids who look to be pushing for a spot. Have to leave a spot or 2 open when you have 6 kids pushing (Lindberg, Fast, Thomas, Kreider, Miller, Hrivik). And that doesn't include anyone like Palmieri, Mashinter, Haley, Yogan or Bourque who have outside shots.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

If you have a player like Boyle who can at least fill in on the 3rd line C, then it is okay. At some point, you can't go out and sign someone if you have 2-3 kids who look to be pushing for a spot. Have to leave a spot or 2 open when you have 6 kids pushing (Lindberg, Fast, Thomas, Kreider, Miller, Hrivik). And that doesn't include anyone like Palmieri, Mashinter, Haley, Yogan or Bourque who have outside shots.

Just throwing names of prospects out there doesnt make your argument more legitimate.

2, maybe 3 of those names can even be considered to be full-time players next season. Not a bad idea at all to have some stopgaps in place in case no prospects make an impact - sorta like this year.

 

[toewsintangibles]

Its not these guys' faults for failing to live up to their contracts.

I can't think of a contract this guy would have met

There were a lot of teams willing to pay this guy to be their 1st center

Now he is our 3-4th center who is soft as butter and geriatric

 

[NYR Viper]

Just throwing names of prospects out there doesnt make your argument more legitimate.

2, maybe 3 of those names can even be considered to be full-time players next season. Not a bad idea at all to have some stopgaps in place in case no prospects make an impact - sorta like this year.

Leaving a spot open and letting the best player take that spot is a bad thing? They have the depth players, I would hope they sign someone but I doubt it will be anyone significant.

MZA-Brassard-Nash
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Pyatt-Boyle-Dorsett
______-Powe-Asham


If they remove Powe (use him as depth forward) and Pyatt (via trade) that allows them to sign a couple of players and leave a spot open for a young player. If no one is ready, then let Powe play everyday, he is more than capable.

MZA-Brassard-Nash
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Kreider-________-Dorsett
Nystrom/UFA-Boyle-Asham
Powe, Haley

Or, give Haley a full-time gig as the 4th line LW.

All I am saying is at some point, they need to allow some of these young guys to play and unless they want to do it all in 1 season, leaving a spot or 2 open in TC would be a good route to go with for a couple of years.

 

[3rd Guy High]

Leaving a spot open and letting the best player take that spot is a bad thing? They have the depth players, I would hope they sign someone but I doubt it will be anyone significant.

MZA-Brassard-Nash
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Pyatt-Boyle-Dorsett
______-Powe-Asham


If they remove Powe (use him as depth forward) and Pyatt (via trade) that allows them to sign a couple of players and leave a spot open for a young player. If no one is ready, then let Powe play everyday, he is more than capable.

MZA-Brassard-Nash
Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan
Kreider-________-Dorsett
Nystrom/UFA-Boyle-Asham
Powe, Haley

Or, give Haley a full-time gig as the 4th line LW.

All I am saying is at some point, they need to allow some of these young guys to play and unless they want to do it all in 1 season, leaving a spot or 2 open in TC would be a good route to go with for a couple of years.

I think Lindberg will be ready for 3rd or 4th line duties.

Any chance Lecavalier gets bought out? He has an awful contract doesn't he? I know its wishful thinking but picking him up for cheap on a short deal wouldn't be such a bad idea. The question is what he will get on the UFA market.

 

[NYR2007]

stepan
brassard
miller
boyle
powe

thats the 4/5 they should go with next season IMO

 

[BB58]

stepan
brassard
miller
boyle
powe

thats the 4/5 they should go with next season IMO

I don't trust Miller.

 

[RangerBlues]

Cant we just get him some meds and therapy so we can have a normal 8million dollar center.