Mike Richards forgot how to hit?
- Thread starter TimbeS
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Ollie Weeks
the sea does not dream of you
- Feb 28, 2008
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They're playing banged up and/or pacing themselves for when the games matter. Considering Richards' size and injury history, I fully support this decision.
The spirit is willing but the body is not.
Hopefully he jumps on board J. Carter's fitness regimen this July.
Herby
How could Blake have known?
I think it's just time to accept that the Mike Richards of a few years ago is never going to walk through the door for the Kings on a consistent basis. He will occasionally have some of those games (such as last night, where he was clearly the best player on the ice for either team) but I don't want him trying to play that physical style to often either, would rather get a lesser version of Mike Richards than for him to end up like Deadmarsh, who was another player who tried to play way beyond his size.
jml87
Registered User
- Jun 27, 2011
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I'd love Mike to hit like he used to but if you want him to stick around, it's probably best to accept this version. With his concussion history and shoulder problems it's just difficult. Plus, he's gotten smarter over the years. He used to throw himself at people with no regard to his own body and it wasn't really necessary.
He will still deliver big hits, stick up for his teammates, make great plays, and play both ends of the ice. He just doesn't do the hitting part as much as he used to. After seeing him leave the bench earlier this year for a period, it definitely scared me. The next concussion could end your career. So if having Mike Richards around for a long time means he has to tone down the physical side of his game, so be it. He showed last night he can still be just as effective.
He will still deliver big hits, stick up for his teammates, make great plays, and play both ends of the ice. He just doesn't do the hitting part as much as he used to. After seeing him leave the bench earlier this year for a period, it definitely scared me. The next concussion could end your career. So if having Mike Richards around for a long time means he has to tone down the physical side of his game, so be it. He showed last night he can still be just as effective.
He has always been the type of player that increases his game when the playoffs role around. I thought he was out best forward last night, Carter could be considered but I think it was Richards forechecking that allowed Carter to do what he does.
Part of me hope he keeps the A when Greener comes back.
Part of me hope he keeps the A when Greener comes back.
Whiskeypete
Registered User
it apparently is time then....
he has gotten smarter with age and realizes he isn't 20 any longer. he saves it for when its important. i also hope he gets smarter like other vets as they age and realize he needs to be more focused/serious on his offseason conditioning.
he has gotten smarter with age and realizes he isn't 20 any longer. he saves it for when its important. i also hope he gets smarter like other vets as they age and realize he needs to be more focused/serious on his offseason conditioning.
deeshamrock
Registered User
Injuries have affected his style of play for the last 3 years, esp in 10-11 when he played the whole year with torn cartilege and ligiments in his left wrist (and told ESPN by March the pain was 'crippling' and every part of his game was affected.) Last year he had a great start thru Dec 1 when his reg. season ended with a head injury the post concussive effects stayed with him past the season and thru the summer (interview in Aug 2012 ) This year he came to camp out of shape but that was only for the first 8 games, then he played well until March 10 when he got hurt in that violent blindside hit vs Calgary. He wasn't the same until last week
He's not a big guy and having seen him play from his AHL days, he was reckless in his early years and hit too much , and as a result tore both labrums in 2009 and had to have surgery. I'm sure he was advised after that to be more selective.
Last night was a good game for him, and indicitive of the playoff run coming up and hopefully he stays healthy , which he was in 2010 and was outstanding.
He had to adjust his game to accomodate the physical changes and challenges of those injuries, including the concussions.
But it won't change the fact he's money in the playoffs, has been from the time he was 15 with the Rangers. A leader and warrior that can help a young Kings team for years .
Albi
Registered User
It's the regular season.
We need the real Richie in the playoff. This said, he's having a solid year after a horrible start: he's 3rd in points and 3rd in goals scored.
Just wait for the first round...remember the hit in game1 against VAN on Burrows?
We need the real Richie in the playoff. This said, he's having a solid year after a horrible start: he's 3rd in points and 3rd in goals scored.
Just wait for the first round...remember the hit in game1 against VAN on Burrows?
he'd probably shorten his career if he was throwing check regularly like in philly. guy is small.
deeshamrock
Registered User
Shhhh...don't tell him that, in his heart he's 6'4 and 225. If you've ever seen in in person, in street clothes, the 5'11 and 190 is generous.
He is the runt on the team, only player (I think) under 6 foot and well below the average wt of 210.
Reclamation Project
Cut It All Right In Two
- Jul 6, 2011
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He'll flip a switch in the playoffs. I'll gladly accept less hits for longer term health, as we all would. He was fantastic last night and I've enjoyed his play all year. Still my favorite player.
no name
Registered User
Hits per game have plummeted accross the NHL. The stars that play gritty are all light on hits. Brown is a perfect example. His hits per game were down 40% until got 11 hits in a game a few weeks ago. I think the stat guy was very favorable because they gave Clifford 9 that game. 20 between two players is unheard of.
Last year was what you can expect for Richards on a typical year.
Vamos Rafa
Registered User
He does not have the size to continue being a hitter as he gets older. He's only 28, but he's just preserving himself now.
no name
Registered User
rajuabju
The One & Only
You guys are nuts.
Richards taking the body is a GOOD thing for us. Its a very good thing. It will help prolong his career substantially.
Considering we have big bodies like King, Nolan, Clifford, Brown, Regehr, Greene, etc, there is absolutely no reason to have someone like a Richards play like that.
Richards taking the body is a GOOD thing for us. Its a very good thing. It will help prolong his career substantially.
Considering we have big bodies like King, Nolan, Clifford, Brown, Regehr, Greene, etc, there is absolutely no reason to have someone like a Richards play like that.
Raccoon Jesus
We were right there
We all know he's gonna turn that up in the playoffs, for better or for worse.
As I mentioned in the PGT, it seems like Brown et. al. are on that same plan
As I mentioned in the PGT, it seems like Brown et. al. are on that same plan
cyclones22
Registered User
Yep, Brown being very noticeable. Can't hit like that with such frequency when you're playing a game every other day.
MsMeow
Registered User
- Nov 4, 2005
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I think he's hitting less intentionally. He doesn't need to kill people like he did in the past, just pick and choose when to do it. Like others have said, he's not a big guy and he has 7 or 8 years left on his contract so he has to play smarter. As long as he keeps digging pucks out and passing to Carter to score, I'm happy.
Whiskeypete
Registered User
i forgot about that hit on voracek. funny how the one guy out there for PHI sticking up for him was Simmer. the rest of them stood around and didn't do anything. mean while all of Simmers old teammates are out there and you know not looking to bust heads with him.....just yet
I do miss this part of his game, people in the East used to have to keep there up head in games against the Flyers.
Live in the Now
Registered User
I do miss that part of his game, but let's be honest, a player his size isn't going to be able to hit like that for a whole season + playoffs as they get older. The physical game will be back in the playoffs. One thing I noticed from the video of the hit on Voracek is that Richards isn't yapping like that lately either. So maybe he feels he isn't 100% and cannot back it up, I don't know.
Last night he wasn't hitting like it, but he was playing like he did in the playoffs last year. I was pretty satisfied with that. Overall I'm happy with his game this year but I find it odd how much of a minus magnet he's been.
Last night he wasn't hitting like it, but he was playing like he did in the playoffs last year. I was pretty satisfied with that. Overall I'm happy with his game this year but I find it odd how much of a minus magnet he's been.
