Rumor: Oilers targeting Mike Richards

[Whileee]

Does a young team like the Oilers really want to import Richards' history of off-ice issues?

 

[McSuper]

I don't see why people are so quick to throw this guy under the bus because it's not like he was out smoking crack at the no-tell-motel. He got addicted to pain killers stemming from injuries.
He didn't have a camp last year and admittedly ran out of gas at the end of the season. He's not a top 6 player anymore but Richards led all Caps forwards in PK TOI and they had a damn good unit

Still can't be too smart to get addicted . I got bottles of Oxy , Morphine and Hydromorphone . Been on them for years because of a car accident . I am lucky if I take 2 a week and I can take unto 6 a day but knowing they are addictive I will suffer before taking then regularly

 

[McArthur]

Just when you think even the Oilers couldn't ruin McDavid and all that they've been gifted. Let's bring in a guy that has had drug issues at the border to mentor the kids.

hey buddy! Have you ever made a mistake!

 

[Homesick]

Still can't be too smart to get addicted . I got bottles of Oxy , Morphine and Hydromorphone . Been on them for years because of a car accident . I am luck if I take 2 a week and I can take unto 6 a day but knowing they are addictive I will suffer before taking then regularly

Not everyone can be perfect like you

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

He's apparently working hard all summer and with a full camp could be a 20+ point 4c

I did. The two other similar posts were deleted because well, its just not funny and in poor taste

That's good news. If he hits 20 points that would be great for him and whoever signs him

 

[ForSpareParts*]

Can Richards fight?

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

Can Richards fight?

does anyone in the NHL fight?

 

[McSuper]

Not everyone can be perfect like you

It is not being perfect . Everyone and his dog knows this are very addictive so it is common-sense to make sure it does not happen . Also be a professional hockey player and knowing the shape you have to stay in to be affective why would you let yourself get addicted to them . I am not risking millions of dollars but I also know the health risk and the total medication take on you liver . I am sure Pro hockey players are more educated on the subject then I am . Again it comes down to common sense .

Edit . Thinking about it I guess he could be in pain and needs them to continue to play . I know I use to play and can not any more . If I took 2 of my morphine I am sure I could play and not care about the pain or feel the pain . I guess he could be looking at the millions of lost dollars vs the health risk . Of course we don't know . And I am not sure what I would do if offer millions but I would need to take the pain meds regularly to do it .

 

[JarvisFunk]

Just when you think even the Oilers couldn't ruin McDavid and all that they've been gifted. Let's bring in a guy that has had drug issues at the border to mentor the kids.

Nice reach

 

[Blue Goose]

I don't see why people are so quick to throw this guy under the bus because it's not like he was out smoking crack at the no-tell-motel. He got addicted to pain killers stemming from injuries.
He didn't have a camp last year and admittedly ran out of gas at the end of the season. He's not a top 6 player anymore but Richards led all Caps forwards in PK TOI and they had a damn good unit

I could be wrong, but I think some fans (esp. Kings fans) took more issue with the fact that Richards never seemed to put in the necessary off-season conditioning, especially when Lombardi wanted to buy him out. A few months after the compliance buyout window had closed, Richards had played himself down to the AHL.

I'm not concerned about the drug arrest - the charges were "stayed", so the case will be dropped if he doesn't make any mistakes between now and February. The Oilers would be getting a warrior, a 2-time Cup champ, and a guy who knows this could be his last chance to be an NHLer - I see no harm in at least giving him a PTO and having him mentor some of the younger players during training camp. If there's chemistry, then give him a 1-year deal for $600K.

All that said, I wonder if Legwand might be a better fit - Richards' skating has slowed down dramatically, but I thought Legwand still had the wheels, right?

 

[ManofSteel55]

Man it really pains me to say it as Richie was one of my favourite players for a while, but after seeing him often with the Caps last year - he is done. His skating is hard on the eyes and his shot is horrific (not that it was ever his best attribute). Can't finish to save his life. Maybe you can get away with using him on the 4th line and in pk situations, but other than that...

Sounds kind of like he went full Horcoff. Never go full Horcoff.

 

[nmbr_24]

I don't see why people are so quick to throw this guy under the bus because it's not like he was out smoking crack at the no-tell-motel. He got addicted to pain killers stemming from injuries.
He didn't have a camp last year and admittedly ran out of gas at the end of the season. He's not a top 6 player anymore but Richards led all Caps forwards in PK TOI and they had a damn good unit

I think him only being a shadow of the player he used to be has a lot more to do with it than his past substance abuse problems. Most people can get over that pretty quickly.

 

[Hivemind]

He's a PK specialist and nothing more at this stage in his career. Total offensive black hole. Not only his own lack of production, but he kills the production of his linemates.

 

[who_me?]

Does a young team like the Oilers really want to import Richards' history of off-ice issues?

They got rid of Hall this offseason. Everything is rosy in Edmonton now. Cup is in sight. Etc.

 

[belair]

It is not being perfect . Everyone and his dog knows this are very addictive so it is common-sense to make sure it does not happen . Also be a professional hockey player and knowing the shape you have to stay in to be affective why would you let yourself get addicted to them . I am not risking millions of dollars but I also know the health risk and the total medication take on you liver . I am sure Pro hockey players are more educated on the subject then I am . Again it comes down to common sense .

Edit . Thinking about it I guess he could be in pain and needs them to continue to play . I know I use to play and can not any more . If I took 2 of my morphine I am sure I could play and not care about the pain or feel the pain . I guess he could be looking at the millions of lost dollars vs the health risk . Of course we don't know . And I am not sure what I would do if offer millions but I would need to take the pain meds regularly to do it .

This just comes off as a really ignorant post.

You don't know Mike Richards personally and this can really be attributed to anyone dealing with an addiction. Simply saying it's 'common sense' to not become addicted is really missing the point. People don't become addicted because they're stupid. The are so many factors that push people to drugs and to alcohol and it really doesn't matter how much that person makes. This can happen to anyone in all walks of life.

 

[BHD]

People "throw him under the bus" because his performance was suffering, before the off-ice things emerged.

 

[Sam Spade]

That's a tough pill to swallow if he signs with Edmonton.

Pray tell why?

How was he in Washington?

Non-existent.

 

[McTrashBoat]

Pray tell why?

play on words

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Good PK guy, leader, but it's like he's allergic to offense. His skating was fine for a 4th line defensive role.

It's weird, he'll pass the eye test. You can tell he's a smart player, but can't buy a break out of his own zone.

 

[Frank the Tank]

He's apparently working hard all summer and with a full camp could be a 20+ point 4c

I did. The two other similar posts were deleted because well, its just not funny and in poor taste

I'm a lifelong Oilers fan that posted one of those mild jokes and, if one cannot laugh at the laundry list of problems that Oilers have had the past decade, one is taking this sport too seriously. That being said, jokes aside, I'm glad Eberle will both be held more accountable and have more support with the new leadership group that will replace the Hall/Eberle/Schultz clique because that version of the rebuild clearly was not working. Mike Richards will not be a core member of that group so I imagine his PTO will be a shot in the dark to see if he can make Lander earn his spot.

 

[Stuzchuk]

then with Gryba healthy, we are one trade away from acquiring enough competition for the top 4,5,6,7 spots in our d-core. Does Reinhart stand a chance???? Stay tuned!

I think that you havent figured out yet that you cannot rebuild with kids only.... the influence of Richards on McDavid and company have more value than what you'll pay in salary for him (Max 1M)

 

[Paradise*]

He isn't NHL caliber anymore. Maybe ECHL or Europe would work for him.

 

[McSuper]

This just comes off as a really ignorant post.

You don't know Mike Richards personally and this can really be attributed to anyone dealing with an addiction. Simply saying it's 'common sense' to not become addicted is really missing the point. People don't become addicted because they're stupid. The are so many factors that push people to drugs and to alcohol and it really doesn't matter how much that person makes. This can happen to anyone in all walks of life.

It is common sense . How can you say it ignorant ? Don't start smoking is also common sense as it is addictive . As for happening to anyone I disagree . I have all the reason in the world to take my meds . I am in so much pain at night I am awake ever hour , no and if buts about it . Why don't I give in ? If it can happen to anyone ? I know the risk and when you get these meds the risk are explained to you . Are you going to say drinking and driving can also happen to anyone ?

Here a case with me . After my car accident I start to take seizures . The doctor gave me meds that were't for seizures . They were very addictive , I was taking max 8 pills a day . Once I got a good doctor ( Had to move to ottawa to get one ) He told me they were not a seizure medication and were addictive . I was on them for 2 years and I told him I would not take them any more then . He said you can't give it up just like that . You need to come off slowly . I told him watch me and never took 1 from that day forward . Withdrawing from them were hell . I never slept for a week . Every time I would close my eyes I would get a shock thru my brain , zapping me awake . Even going thru that hell never once did I consider taking another .

Please explain how people get addicted . I was without knowing . It did not stop me from stopping cold turkey . People look for excuses the answers are with in . If you feel good about who you are no need for anything that alters your brain waves


Edit : I am going to sign out for the long weekend . We can agree to disagree on this . I hope everyone has a safe weekend . Even the ones that I disagree with . Be safe everyone and enjoy the weekend . Wishing everyone the best

 

[buttman*]

Nice reach

Richards character and work ethic have been questioned. His conditioning was a big concern during his final days in LA. You don't bring that around a good young group of kids. It' doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that out. Stupid is as stupid does.

 

[Rebels57]

Oilers have McDavid, RNH, Draisaitl all at the World Cup so inviting a center to camp makes sense no matter who it is.

But aren't there 4 lines?