Speculation: Mike Richards

[PhoenyX]

Leafs

1 year x 3 million

Veteran leadership for the young forwards

 

[raswilliam]

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?.

Just curious, how do you consider this scot free? He must be the highest paid fisherman in Canada now.

 

[Evergreen]

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

Extracurricular issues aside, Mike Richards was a tremendous leader on the ice and one of the best all-around players in the league from 2007-2011. I think he should have won the Selke at least once in that time. The Cup Finals loss in 2010 still stings. Richards had some amazing performances during those playoffs. The "shift" is unforgettable.

 

[Rebels57]

If he can become a dominant faceoff specialist I don't see why he can't be a 4th line center somewhere.

 

[belair]

What happened to his legs? They move so slow now.

 

[Poignant Discussion*]

What happened to his legs? They move so slow now.

He aged

 

[malkinfan]

Hated him in Washington, so limited now. Maybe he can prove to be a defensive specialist but this is a dyeing breed in the NHL. Teams like Pittsburg who run 3 good scoring lines had Washington trapped in their own end When Richards and Winnik were on the ice. And these guys missed any scoring opportunities they did have.

 

[Mad Brills*]

leafs don't have room for him.

 

[belair]

He aged

He's 31!

 

[tade]

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

So? Even if he was hyped, he deserved every bit of it, at certain times - about 2007-2010, he was one of the best all-around players in the NHL. He was a beast with incredible motor who never quit on play. It is a shame what happened to him, but still he won basically everything what he could, so it is nonetheless a spectacular career.

 

[04' hockey]

agree with this.....

BUT.....there is that "asterisk" .....shame really

So? Even if he was hyped, he deserved every bit of it, at certain times - about 2007-2010, he was one of the best all-around players in the NHL. He was a beast with incredible motor who never quit on play. It is a shame what happened to him, but still he won basically everything what he could, so it is nonetheless a spectacular career.