Speculation: Mike Richards

[dahlenrules]

He was a big reason why the Caps PK was so good in the post season. His defensive instincts were still very good, but his skating wasn't great and his shot was miserable. I was really hoping he could turn it around more offensively so he could stick around for a few more years, but it looks like he won't be back with the Caps.

Who knows if an offseason of training would help, but he may be a good fit somewhere. Could also just see him retire.

 

[Hivemind]

I admittedly didn't watch him very much last year on the Caps. Is he really finished?

He could potentially have value as a 4th line and PK specialist with limited minutes. But his skating has declined a lot (and he was never fleet of foot to begin with) and he's an offensive black hole. No longer a top 9 player in any capacity, and if you have him as your 4th line center you would likely want to make sure there's somebody else who can slot into a center role in the top 9 should one of your higher centers get hurt.

 

[captainpaxil]

He'd be a great guy to give a pto to. Definitely a character guy and former captain.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Such a drastic drop for this guy, it's funny how hyped he was when he was a Flyer.

 

[Captain Timo]

Such a drastic drop for this guy, it's funny how hyped he was when he was a Flyer.

Why's that funny? He was legitimately good at that time. Really good.

 

[1865]

I haven't heard anything about this for a while, but how exactly is it LA got away scot-free with cancelling his contract on a charge he wasn't found guilty of?

Such a drastic drop for this guy, it's funny how hyped he was when he was a Flyer.

He was awesome when he was a Flyer. Absolutely awesome.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Such a drastic drop for this guy, it's funny how hyped he was when he was a Flyer.

Talking of drastic drops, it's incredible to see how many players from the first round of the supposed best draft ever have fallen off a cliff.

Staal, Horton, Zherdev, Kostitsyn, Vanek, Michalek, Brown, Bernier, Stuart, Stewart, Eaves, Pouliot, Richards and Tambellini are all done. That's not counting all the guys that flat out didn't make it. And then you have a few guys who are on a very clear slide in their careers.

This best draft ever is looking like it may produce just one Hall of Fame in Weber and even he is a question mark. Yikes.

 

[1865]

Talking of drastic drops, it's incredible to see how many players from the first round of the supposed best draft ever have fallen off a cliff.

Staal, Horton, Zherdev, Kostitsyn, Vanek, Michalek, Brown, Bernier, Stuart, Stewart, Eaves, Pouliot, Richards and Tambellini are all done. That's not counting all the guys that flat out didn't make it. And then you have a few guys who are on a very clear slide in their careers.

This best draft ever is looking like it may produce just one Hall of Fame in Weber and even he is a question mark. Yikes.

Maybe it's a sign that the modern game doesn't sustain players to their mid-late 30's now?

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Maybe it's a sign that the modern game doesn't sustain players to their mid-late 30's now?

Maybe it's a sign that 03 was a bit overrated as a draft year.

 

[BillR10]

In situations like this, I always look at a connection with a former coach:

- He played under Pete DeBoer in Kitchener (4 seasons, Memorial Cup Champ in 2003)
- He played under Peter Laviolette in Philadelphia (2 seasons, Stanley Cup finalist in 2010)

Any chance San Jose or Nashville would see value in Richards' veteran leadership and use him on their 4th line?

If it was up to Kevin Kurz then yeah. But I doubt it as I think they are just going to resign Zubrus for that spot. Looking at the sharks roster on their home page Zubrus is still listed as a shark. All other players that became free agents including polak, spaling, reimer, etc have been removed. Could mean nothing but strange to see that.

 

[Sam Spade]

Too slow, he's done.

 

[TOGuy14]

Talking of drastic drops, it's incredible to see how many players from the first round of the supposed best draft ever have fallen off a cliff.

Staal, Horton, Zherdev, Kostitsyn, Vanek, Michalek, Brown, Bernier, Stuart, Stewart, Eaves, Pouliot, Richards and Tambellini are all done. That's not counting all the guys that flat out didn't make it. And then you have a few guys who are on a very clear slide in their careers.

This best draft ever is looking like it may produce just one Hall of Fame in Weber and even he is a question mark. Yikes.

I think there are a few other potential candidates for HOF, but still lots of time left to see where they end up career wise (Getzlaf, Perry etc).

I don't think 03 was ever lauded for having generational talents, but more so the depth.

Guys like Perry + Kesler were taken in the back of the 1st round.

Bergeron, Weber, Backes in the 2nd round.

Also notable is how devoid of total busts the 1st round was (mainly just Hugh Jessiman). It's rare to find that many serviceable NHL players like that

 

[wgknestrick]

As to where he is going.....


Hopefully not across the border again.

 

[Curufinwe]

I haven't heard anything about this for a while, but how exactly is it LA got away scot-free with cancelling his contract on a charge he wasn't found guilty of?



He was awesome when he was a Flyer. Absolutely awesome.

His last four years in Philly were particularly great, and he should have won a Selke one of those seasons but people weren't really paying attention to advanced stats.

283 points in 315 games
1.81 Points/60 at 5 on 5
52.3 GF%
0.5 CF% Rel TM
41.5% OZ starts

 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

where does he go?

[MOD] Take some time off. Heal the [MOD] body and come back in better shape. He'll never be that impact player he once was, but he can still be a difference maker. The hockey IQ and skating are still there. Become a defensive face off specialist. There will always be a market for that type of player.

 

[Darz]

I think if the guy ever took his off season training as serious as most players do he would still be a relevant NHL player.
You can get away with certain things when you are 25-27 years old, but it does catch up with you quickly.

 

[1865]

Maybe it's a sign that 03 was a bit overrated as a draft year.

And just like that, the final thing in hockey that had never been considered overrated was gone.

 

[txpd]

richards game aged quickly for whatever reason. I dont see why he could not be a decent 4c on a good team.

 

[BLONG7]

Such a drastic drop for this guy, it's funny how hyped he was when he was a Flyer.

Hyped...by himself maybe...the guy was a legend in his own mind, at a very young age...it seems the money and fame, with more than a few parties have caught up to him...

 

[YEM]

Hyped...by himself maybe...the guy was a legend in his own mind, at a very young age...

there are only a few players in the league who can even begin to compare their trophy collection to that of Mike Richards; Memorial Cup, WJC Gold, Calder Cup Winner, Olympic Gold, and a double Stanley

I'd consider my self a legend also #shrug

 

[LAKings88]

I like Mike Richards but he is a shell of what he was.

Maybe he could get into coaching one day.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

He can still play a 4th line PK role in the NHL.Wouldnt be surprised to see an experienced team with depth issues pick him up.

 

[Stuzchuk]

from what I saw he was still half decent defensively... a VERY SOLID 4th line pk specialist

 

[Ola]

Maybe it's a sign that 03 was a bit overrated as a draft year.

It really hasn't been pointed out that much, but the NHL has gone through two MAJOR structural changes during my life time. First in the early 90s with expansion and the fall of the Iron Curtain and the influsion of Euros and then after the 05' lockout and the removal of the redline offside and extreme crackdown on clutching and grabbing. After both these major turnovers of the league, the kids just entering the league did tremendously well. The old guard had a disadvantage and the young kids fit the profile and could adopt well and especially got a chance to play.

Mike Richards were definitely one of those guys that got a good ride.

 

[COFFEEBLACK494]

Back to the flyers to play on the 4th line and penalty kill. Retire as a Flyer