Speculation: Rangers likely to use final buyout on Richards

[haveandare]

Yes, but having 3 #1 defensemen is a luxury most teams cannot afford. They can't rely on that forever. It will cost them way too much.

You have to hope McD never has that slow start to the playoffs ever again.

I dont' disagree, just answered the question.

Hard to say what they can and can't rely on. That D depth paid huge dividends. Other teams have similar O depth, and you rarely hear people say that they can't afford to keep it. They need to decide what type of team they want to be, and then make decisions in that framework.

 

[NYRSchrute217]

Good.

Good riddance, piece of crap. Guy treated this place like a retirement resort.

Richards sucked most of the last 2 years, but not for lack of effort. He just has no skill anymore. Although I'm not exactly sure how his IQ followed that path.

 

[Xref]

Actually it's doing him a favor.

He can start thinking about his future ASAP.

^ exactly. The sooner he gets bought out, the sooner he and his agent can start speaking with other clubs.

 

[Idlerlee]

Is it possible, that if Richards makes an agreement with the Ranges to retire at a certain age, that he will be kept around ?

That being said, Richards is going to make one hell of a salespitch to Sather if he wont be gone by the end of the week

 

[NickyFotiu]

Is it possible, that if Richards makes an agreement with the Ranges to retire at a certain age, that he will be kept around ?

That being said, Richards is going to make one hell of a salespitch to Sather if he wont be gone by the end of the week

The recapture rules make that scenario unattractive for the Rangers.

 

[haveandare]

Aside from wanting to stay with people he's bros with by now, being bought out isn't really bad for Richards. He gets all his money AND gets another contract. In addition, he doesn't have the pressure of being counted on to perform at a level that he simply can't perform at anymore in a huge market.

I'm still bitter about the league and PA deciding to retroactively change the terms of contracts already signed with the recapture penalty. I think that's complete BS. But, it's the reality they all have to work in now, so it is what it is.

 

[Tawnos]

Andrew Gross ‏@AGrossRecord 43s
Brad Richards will not address the media today. Read into that what you will.

Thanks Andrew

 

[Tawnos]

I'm still bitter about the league and PA deciding to retroactively change the terms of contracts already signed with the recapture penalty. I think that's complete BS. But, it's the reality they all have to work in now, so it is what it is.

I am too. Sort of. I think it's eminently unfair, but then again, without the Cap Recap, I don't think Richards gets bought out.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

Richards sucked most of the last 2 years, but not for lack of effort. He just has no skill anymore. Although I'm not exactly sure how his IQ followed that path.

I'd consider slacking during the summer and admitting he was fully out of shape a characteristic of lack of effort.

He cashed in and he knew it.

 

[haveandare]

I am too. Sort of. I think it's eminently unfair, but then again, without the Cap Recap, I don't think Richards gets bought out.

True. He should probably go, but still, Rangers lose depth because of terms that have been retroactively inserted into a contract they signed. Other teams have this problem, too. You put it well, it's just unfair to both teams and players who agreed to terms under entirely different conditions.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Even if the rules did not change the team might think it was better to have a younger player for that cap hit. We need that money to sign some of our own guys as well.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Easiest decision of the off-season to cut your losses with Richards. Easiest decision by far

 

[Riverdale]

Richards sucked most of the last 2 years, but not for lack of effort. He just has no skill anymore. Although I'm not exactly sure how his IQ followed that path.

How about the lockout?

Didn't seem like he worked all that hard then. Came into the season not ready and sucked for the whole remainder of it.

 

[haveandare]

Even if the rules did not change the team might think it was better to have a younger player for that cap hit. We need that money to sign some of our own guys as well.

True.

I think it's time for Miller to get a real shot anyway honestly. We didn't draft the kid to not use him. He's progressed as any good prospect is expected to, and now there's a hole at his natural position. Doesn't hurt that NYR are in a cap crunch of sorts, either.

 

[offdacrossbar]

hes done.

its the right decision and everyone knows it.

richards carried us early in the season. he started like gangbusters. he tired as the season went on and eventually looked like he was either injured or fatigued.

he can still play a 3c role perhaps on a team looking for a vet. good luck to him.

time to move on.

and i am NOT one to think we can replace him with someone in house. the idea is not to replace him, its to get better and that means younger, bigger and faster down the middle.

our centerman with out beaver are really not good enough to generate enough offense. they just arent.

great teams are great down the middle. we arent.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Even if the rules did not change the team might think it was better to have a younger player for that cap hit. We need that money to sign some of our own guys as well.

If the rules didn't change they wouldn't have implemented a compliance buyout procedure.

If the rules didn't change, Richards would be traded (if anyone would take him) or we'd have to go through a normal buyout procedure with him, which would cost us money on the Cap.

The rule change helps the Rangers if they simply buy him out. It lets them get out of the contract.

 

[Gardner McKay]

I am too. Sort of. I think it's eminently unfair, but then again, without the Cap Recap, I don't think Richards gets bought out.

While this is true, it also means he could easily be traded with the Rangers retaining some % of salary. The Recap took the trade option 100% off the table for us.

 

[offdacrossbar]

True.

I think it's time for Miller to get a real shot anyway honestly. We didn't draft the kid to not use him. He's progressed as any good prospect is expected to, and now there's a hole at his natural position. Doesn't hurt that NYR are in a cap crunch of sorts, either.

stepan
brass
miller
moore


are we good here ?

 

[haveandare]

hes done.

its the right decision and everyone knows it.

richards carried us early in the season. he started like gangbusters. he tired as the season went on and eventually looked like he was either injured or fatigued.

he can still play a 3c role perhaps on a team looking for a vet. good luck to him.

time to move on.

and i am NOT one to think we can replace him with someone in house. the idea is not to replace him, its to get better and that means younger, bigger and faster down the middle.

our centerman with out beaver are really not good enough to generate enough offense. they just arent.

great teams are great down the middle. we arent.

Okay, but in a very literal way, someone needs to replace him. Miller is younger, bigger and faster. And Step is absolutely good enough to generate offense, and Brass is more than good enough to generate 3C offense. The 2C is going to be hard for sure, but with the cap as it is, there's absolutely no room for another player to come in short of shipping out an equally big player at another position. Our top prospect is a center. Let's see what he's got.

 

[Gardner McKay]

hes done.

its the right decision and everyone knows it.

richards carried us early in the season. he started like gangbusters. he tired as the season went on and eventually looked like he was either injured or fatigued.

he can still play a 3c role perhaps on a team looking for a vet. good luck to him.

time to move on.

and i am NOT one to think we can replace him with someone in house. the idea is not to replace him, its to get better and that means younger, bigger and faster down the middle.

our centerman with out beaver are really not good enough to generate enough offense. they just arent.

great teams are great down the middle. we arent.

JT Miller did himself no favors with that poor showing in the playoffs. He may be a solution long term, but not right now.

Others have thrown around Grabovski. I don't see a down side to him. Any other options available?

I was very against making a trade for ROR but am warming up to it. It would allow Stepan/Brass to slot properly into the 2/3c slots. Although ROR isn't elite, it would give us the closest thing we have had to a true #1C.

Staal + what for ROR? I don't think a 1 for 1 swap gets that done. Maybe the Staal of 3 years ago.

Staal + Miller for ROR + 2nd/3rd?

 

[stan the caddy]

stepan
brass
miller
moore


are we good here ?

I don't know if Miller is ready to center a line with MSL at this point.

 

[Gardner McKay]

stepan
brass
miller
moore


are we good here ?

If we want to make the playoffs again, sure. If we want to win the cup?

 

[haveandare]

If we want to make the playoffs again, sure. If we want to win the cup?

You sound like 75% of the board talking about this year's team up until the spring.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

I'm convinced that anyone who thinks Richards was even "OK" during his time as a Ranger just never watched him in Dallas or Tampa.

 

[Gardner McKay]

You sound like 75% of the board talking about this year's team up until the spring.

With Miller as a 3C? Keep in mind, I have never been down on this team as many of our fellow posters have been. Myself and a few others were pretty constant (I'll admit I did have my doubts at one point) that we knew this team had potential. That potential won't be realized with JT Miller at C as he is still clearly not ready. He looked out of place and a step behind to me. I think the kid needs another year of seasoning.