Brad Richards

[Bluenote13]

I understand all the frustration with Richards, but I'm not wanting to give up on him. We won the conference last year and were proper contenders with the team we had. We're not even half a season (a usual season that is) into this campaign and as things stand we're in the play-offs. LA finished 8th last year. For me the biggest mistake Sather can make is to try to make mega deals. We don't need it. Richards isn't playing well, maybe he is done, or maybe he's just having a bad few months. Hopefully by the end of the season his form comes back to him a bit. Let's wait and see. We don't need to make huge changes every time the team/a player struggles

We're past the halfway point.

The team has 'struggled' most of the time, that's not just a small streak. Our winning streak was the exception.

 

[SwaglinNYR]

Richie HAS to be amnestied this summer. His value is not even close to the contract that we gave him. If the Caps don't re-sign Ribero, I would amnesty Richie and go hard after him. His skill set would match Nash and Hagelin and would push Step back down to 2C and Miller to 3C. Our STRENGTH would be up the middle!

 

[bubba5]

Richie is not a 1c, not a 2c, a stretch would make him a 3c but he is not a checking center, so that is out, so the only thing left is a 4c and if all of you are happy with a 4c with that cap hit, then well we can start saying goodbye to all our young guys we cant resign.

 

[Riverdale]

Richie HAS to be amnestied this summer. His value is not even close to the contract that we gave him. If the Caps don't re-sign Ribero, I would amnesty Richie and go hard after him. His skill set would match Nash and Hagelin and would push Step back down to 2C and Miller to 3C. Our STRENGTH would be up the middle!

He would sign here and suck just as bad. Always the same old story with the NYR...

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

I finally realized who Brad Richards looks like (besides a beaver): Reese from the Terminator!

 

[Boruto]

I know we're all giving Beaver a hard time. Beaver deserves some love though. Beaver can be a better Beaver. Beaver needs support. Beaver will pull through. Beaver isn't going anywhere. Believe in Beaver.

 

[NY Lito]

I understand all the frustration with Richards, but I'm not wanting to give up on him. We won the conference last year and were proper contenders with the team we had. We're not even half a season (a usual season that is) into this campaign and as things stand we're in the play-offs. LA finished 8th last year. For me the biggest mistake Sather can make is to try to make mega deals. We don't need it. Richards isn't playing well, maybe he is done, or maybe he's just having a bad few months. Hopefully by the end of the season his form comes back to him a bit. Let's wait and see. We don't need to make huge changes every time the team/a player struggles

Rational thinking has no place on HFboards, especially the NYR one.

We're past the halfway point.

The team has 'struggled' most of the time, that's not just a small streak. Our winning streak was the exception.

You read his post wrong.

 

[Callagraves]

Actually, I think richards looked really good tonight. Still snakebitten though.

Keep him with MZA

 

[Boruto]

effectively missing 2 empty nets, he's not having good luck and is doubting himself A LOT. He can be a lot better, he's pushing himself to be better.

 

[Inferno]

Richards is an elite player...everyone has times like these...if he can turn it around, it's like picking up a #1 center at the deadline for free.

 

[Kwayry]

Richards is an elite player...everyone has times like these...if he can turn it around, it's like picking up a #1 center at the deadline for free.

And if he can't? Any trade ideas?

 

[5 4 Fighting]

Brad will heat up here in the last 10 games and in the playoffs. He's slowed down, but his smarts and clutch play will come through.

 

[Boruto]

We've seen what he's capable of and all throughout his career, he's been dominant. He hasn't suffered injuries or the effects of old age... as much as his past record doesn't warrant a free pass, it's a bit harsh to resort to suggestions of buying him out or trading him. Believe in beaver.

 

[Inferno]

And if he can't? Any trade ideas?

if he can't? this season is likely lost. Especially if Gabby doesn't start lighting it up.

if the big 3 can get hot at the right time, and Hagelin, Cally, and Stepan can continue their pace....and Staal gets healthy...and Henrik is Henrik, this team could win the cup.

it's just a lot of "ifs"

i'm not gonna hold my breath or anything, but I still have belief in Richards...just wish he'd stop gripping the stick so damn tight, a few goals here or there could turn his whole season around.

 

[General Sather*]

The guy shot a slapshot at an empty net and misses every other chance he gets. He looks like he's skating in mud and his blind passes are brutal. He's done. Much like Redden declined almost immediately, same thing with Richards. My guess is he didn't work hard in the off season and at his age, that will kill your career. Got his last payday, won his cup, the guy simply doesn't care and doesn't even have the skills to cover it up. He's done, move on.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

We've seen what he's capable of and all throughout his career, he's been dominant. He hasn't suffered injuries or the effects of old age... as much as his past record doesn't warrant a free pass, it's a bit harsh to resort to suggestions of buying him out or trading him. Believe in beaver.

I believe in Beaver.

The guy shot a slapshot at an empty net and misses every other chance he gets. He looks like he's skating in mud and his blind passes are brutal. He's done. Much like Redden declined almost immediately, same thing with Richards. My guess is he didn't work hard in the off season and at his age, that will kill your career. Got his last payday, won his cup, the guy simply doesn't care and doesn't even have the skills to cover it up. He's done, move on.

Calm down Slats.

 

[toastbag]

Would have been nice to see Brad not be so selfless and score that easy empty net goal rather than looking to pass the puck. He definitely appears to be picking up his game recently though and hopefully he can get hot at the right time.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

The Redden in last nights game is how many people had to come to defend this garbage player without using any logic or reasoning whatsoever. Until he does something besides suck this year people should shut up about defending him. They don't NEED to shut up b/c this is a place to express opinion and debate but if they don't even attempt to provide reason or logic they prob should shut up b/c he deserves every ounce of criticism he gets no matter how irrational if or overdramatic as long as they aren't ridiculous death threats which obviously would be moronic of someone to post. Hell earlier this year people bombarded his twitter anonymously and I was very vocal about how idiotic I think that is and I still believe it is despite how much I hate him as an entertainment figure this year.

He picked up last year and did well. Still overpaid and overrated based on what I'd heard (which is the definition of overrated when someone fails to come close to matching the performance that everyone predicts for someone) but worth his contract including the crippling future we all knew was coming. This year the crippling future came about 4 years too early. If people think he legit will return to PP QB 80 pt form next year fine I have no arguement and I pray he does. But simply whining that he shouldn't be picked on this year based on his actual performance?:

Would have been nice to see Brad not be so selfless and score that easy empty net goal rather than looking to pass the puck. He definitely appears to be picking up his game recently though and hopefully he can get hot at the right time.

He picked up his game and started being noticeable out there after returning from his Buff injury. But that only lasted for a few games. I don't want him to pick it up I just want him to be a great hockey player like he's paid to be and like he was for many years with every team he was with except this one apparently. For once one of these suppossed professionals could live up to a contract.

I believe in Beaver.

Calm down Slats.

See this example? This is what every post defending this garbage heap is like. Condescending, arrogant and utterly wrong. How bout some reasoning instead of talking down to someone for simply expressing an understably frustration laden opinion? Even if this post is just joking and I didn't pick up on it there are clearly quite a few who DO defend richards like he's their brother in the same manner and when asked for reasoning or logic they provide none. At least thats what happenned last night.

 

[BroadwayHustle]

Richards said that it has been mental, why don't the rangers send him to a sports psychologist? I know the Mets did it for Mike Pelfrey a few years ago and it helped him until he got hurt

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

See this example? This is what every post defending this garbage heap is like. Condescending, arrogant and utterly wrong. How bout some reasoning instead of talking down to someone for simply expressing an understably frustration laden opinion? Even if this post is just joking and I didn't pick up on it there are clearly quite a few who DO defend richards like he's their brother in the same manner and when asked for reasoning or logic they provide none. At least thats what happenned last night.

Lol I only said "Calm down Slats" was because his username is General Sather.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

Lol I only said "Calm down Slats" was because his username is General Sather.

I saw that his name was Sather but the calm down without any reasoning is what I was referring to. Like I said even if this is joking 100% it's unfortunate that any posts defending richards are the same as that

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

I saw that his name was Sather but the calm down without any reasoning is what I was referring to. Like I said even if this is joking 100% it's unfortunate that any posts defending richards are the same as that

I think saying Richards is done and to move along is a bit much. He's obviously looked off this entire season, we all know that. However, I still believe he can pull it together. He looked better last night with Zuccs and Gabby. If Gabby can start finishing his chances, Richards will starts putting up assists and if the chemistry can start to grow, it will open up more space and lead to him playing with more confidence. One of the worst things for a player like Richards who relies on his instincts, hockey IQ and vision, to be going through is a slump where his confidence is clearly shaken. He's holding on to the puck for that extra second, second guessing all of his decisions and he's holding his stick too tight so to speak.

Richards has never been a player to rely on his physical attributes, he's a guy who relies on his hockey IQ and vision. That's why I always thought he could be successful as he gets older. However, his physical shape needs to be up to snuff. Clearly there is no room for error there with him and his conditioning. He needs to be in 100% game shape to be successful, despite the fact that he doesn't rely on his physical attributes. It's a double edged sword because although his game doesn't rely on those attributes, without his conditioning being where it normally is, he can't keep up. This leads to him taking too long in his decision making, making poor choices and going into slumps with his confidence being shattered.

What he needs is a stretch of at least 5 games where he's playing well, creating plays that lead to goals, maybe pot a few goals himself. He needs to get his confidence up.

 

[Hi ImHFNYR]

I think saying Richards is done and to move along is a bit much. He's obviously looked off this entire season, we all know that. However, I still believe he can pull it together. He looked better last night with Zuccs and Gabby. If Gabby can start finishing his chances, Richards will starts putting up assists and if the chemistry can start to grow, it will open up more space and lead to him playing with more confidence. One of the worst things for a player like Richards who relies on his instincts, hockey IQ and vision, to be going through is a slump where his confidence is clearly shaken. He's holding on to the puck for that extra second, second guessing all of his decisions and he's holding his stick too tight so to speak.

Richards has never been a player to rely on his physical attributes, he's a guy who relies on his hockey IQ and vision. That's why I always thought he could be successful as he gets older. However, his physical shape needs to be up to snuff. Clearly there is no room for error there with him and his conditioning. He needs to be in 100% game shape to be successful, despite the fact that he doesn't rely on his physical attributes. It's a double edged sword because although his game doesn't rely on those attributes, without his conditioning being where it normally is, he can't keep up. This leads to him taking too long in his decision making, making poor choices and going into slumps with his confidence being shattered.

What he needs is a stretch of at least 5 games where he's playing well, creating plays that lead to goals, maybe pot a few goals himself. He needs to get his confidence up.

Maybe he's overrated in this aspeect maybe he just had guys who were much smarter around him and he simply knew how to get them the puck. I think our team collectively is offensively Pejorative Slured too. Maybe our players being mentally inept in the offensive zone dragged him down?

 

[KingWantsCup]

Richie HAS to be amnestied this summer. His value is not even close to the contract that we gave him. If the Caps don't re-sign Ribero, I would amnesty Richie and go hard after him. His skill set would match Nash and Hagelin and would push Step back down to 2C and Miller to 3C. Our STRENGTH would be up the middle!

Ribiero is 33.

Weiss is 29. And will be cheaper.

That is all.

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Maybe he's overrated in this aspeect maybe he just had guys who were much smarter around him and he simply knew how to get them the puck. I think our team collectively is offensively Pejorative Slured too. Maybe our players being mentally inept in the offensive zone dragged him down?

It's probably a combination of him not being prepared both physically and mentally which leads to poor decision making with his linemates struggling. It's hard to break out of a slump when you have no confidence, it's almost impossible when not only do you have no confidence, but your linemates aren't creating space or putting themselves in positions that will lead to chances. How is a slumping Brad Richards supposed to turn it around when his linemates are both behind the net cycling? What options does that give him? Pass to Gaborik behind the net? I don't know, it's a combination of many things. However, I believe the over riding factor is not on his line mates, but on Brad for not being physically and mentally prepared for this season. Once you're behind the 8-ball it's hard to catch up and with this season being a shortened sprint to the playoffs, and every game being that much more important, it leads to him focusing on his slump and putting too much pressure on himself which leads to him playing with no confidence and making poor decisions.