Speculation: Will Richards Be A King Come Next Season?

[kenito7]

Yeah, that's because Kopitar is the Kings best shutdown center. He's one of the top shutdown centers in the entire league. Even Richards would admit that. There's a reason Kopi is up for the Selke, and there's a reason he is getting all the press as not only one of the top two-way centers in the game, but also one of the top players in the game.
Are you really comparing Richards to Kopitar? That's really not fair to Richards when you think about it, because those are very big shoes to fill.

Where did I compare Richards to Kopitar? I responded to the guy that said
Richards and Stoll in the shut down roll allowed Kopitar and Carter to have
more offensive freedom in the playoffs. I was just pointing out Kopitar had
the shut down roll the entire playoffs.

 

[kenito7]

105>>>11

Thank you. That was exact point . People completely over look his performance
and want to keep him no matter what the cost.

 

[Wildturkey12]

If we talk about a team being built for the playoffs, isnt Richards the kind of guy you want around for the playoffs? I realize that is a pretty big cap hit for a guy who had a pretty bad season but dam does that guy show up in the playoffs.

 

[Fishhead]

Thank you. That was exact point . People completely over look his performance
and want to keep him no matter what the cost.

I think it's more that people are looking at his performance overall rather than just the second half of this season.

 

[kenito7]

I think it's more that people are looking at his performance overall rather than just the second half of this season.

That is fair. There maybe reasons for the fall off in performance. To me the
only problem is this is the last year of the compliance buyout. After this summer
there is no way to dispose of a bad contract other than a trade. If you only
consider the second half of this season and his contract I would not trade for
him without the Kings retaining a huge part of his contract.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

If we talk about a team being built for the playoffs, isnt Richards the kind of guy you want around for the playoffs? I realize that is a pretty big cap hit for a guy who had a pretty bad season but dam does that guy show up in the playoffs.

Sure, and for this season and possibly next, that's fine as he's a great auxillary player right now--but if he can't return to form, we're going to not be able to pay the players that force him into a third fourth line role, making him a 2nd liner again, and if the current incarnation is what we get going forward, that spells trouble.

I think he bounces back, but the question is how much?

I'm a Richards love, btw, but you have to be realistic and look at the cap as well--tough decisions to come in the next two-three years.

 

[Reclamation Project]

George A. Romero needs to make a movie about this thread, because it keeps coming back from the dead...

 

[The Butcher]

There have been times where during the season I would entertain the thought of doing something with Richards but after the last few games I'm saying no way.

DL already described him as "everything that is right about sports" or something like that. Only way he goes is if we are improving significantly long term.

 

[HYORI 1963]

There have been times where during the season I would entertain the thought of doing something with Richards but after the last few games I'm saying no way.

DL already described him as "everything that is right about sports" or something like that. Only way he goes is if we are improving significantly long term.

So, how about if he sucked rest of the playoffs and perhaps even was the cause of us losing out on the cup?

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Another quality game from Richards tonight.

 

[Oh Snap]

Simple answer: yup.

I was harsh on this guy earlier in the season, but there is no denying what he does for the locker room and his ability to step up in the postseason. If someone is offering me crow, i'll take it medium rare please.

 

[Hatter]

So, how about if he sucked rest of the playoffs and perhaps even was the cause of us losing out on the cup?

how would a fourth line center be the cause of us losing the cup? one player single handedly the cause? I gotta hear this.


Mike Richards at his cap hit should NEVER go anywhere. He is a leader and he is still young.

 

[The Butcher]

How many times will Mike Richards be counted out?

I really don't care what kind of stats you can throw at me at this point. This dude is worth his weight in gold.

 

[The Butcher]

So, how about if he sucked rest of the playoffs and perhaps even was the cause of us losing out on the cup?

Then you would have your case for buying him out or trading him.

Didn't, wouldn't, and will never happen is where I'd put my money at this point.

 

[KingPuckChoo]

Simple answer: yup.

I was harsh on this guy earlier in the season, but there is no denying what he does for the locker room and his ability to step up in the postseason. If someone is offering me crow, i'll take it medium rare please.

is this raw enough for ya?

 

[kenito7]

How many times will Mike Richards be counted out?

I really don't care what kind of stats you can throw at me at this point. This dude is worth his weight in gold.

Gold closed at 1255.20 an ounce. Mike Richards weight 196lbs or 3136 ounces.
3136 *1255.2=3,936,307 dollars. That might be a fair cap hit for a 3rd or 4th
line center but Mike Richards cap hit is 5.75m.

 

[Herby]

Gold closed at 1255.20 an ounce. Mike Richards weight 196lbs or 3136 ounces.
3136 *1255.2=3,936,307 dollars. That might be a fair cap hit for a 3rd or 4th
line center but Mike Richards cap hit is 5.75m.

I laughed!

That being said, I now feel that the Kings will return almost the entire roster next season, with likely only Greene heading elsewhere. As champions the players deserve to return and give it another shot. And there are no cap restrictions for 2014/2015, they can afford to have a $5.75 million bottom six center.

Lombardi will either trade Richards after next season or they will choose to let Williams and Stoll leave and go with younger players, having looked at the roster and likely cap situation those are the only two realistic scenarios (that is assuming Gaborik is re-signed). There is no way they can afford all three guys.

 

[damacles1156]

I don't think Williams or Stoll will receive raises, if anything they will be offered less money.

Those guys payday's are over, they will both be on the wrong side of 30.

Stoll is not going to make 3+ million even on a bottom feeder, no one is going to offer him that. Williams is in the same boat. Stoll and Williams going forward (if they want to remain Kings) are not going to be a cap problem.

Dustin Brown, and Richards (possible Gabo) are going to be problems.

 

[Telos]

Williams can easily make more money. Stoll, not so much.

 

[damacles1156]

Williams can easily make more money. Stoll, not so much.

I doubt it, No one is going to pay Williams much more than he already makes.

Also does Williams seem like a guy that wants another big pay day ? Not really.

 

[lumbergh]

I laughed!

That being said, I now feel that the Kings will return almost the entire roster next season, with likely only Greene heading elsewhere. As champions the players deserve to return and give it another shot. And there are no cap restrictions for 2014/2015, they can afford to have a $5.75 million bottom six center.

Lombardi will either trade Richards after next season or they will choose to let Williams and Stoll leave and go with younger players, having looked at the roster and likely cap situation those are the only two realistic scenarios (that is assuming Gaborik is re-signed). There is no way they can afford all three guys.

Huh? Wha? The NHL abandoning the cap for next season would be quite the news.

 

[The Butcher]

Gold closed at 1255.20 an ounce. Mike Richards weight 196lbs or 3136 ounces.
3136 *1255.2=3,936,307 dollars. That might be a fair cap hit for a 3rd or 4th
line center but Mike Richards cap hit is 5.75m.

Okay, worth his weight in OG Bubba Kush.

 

[Reaper45]

Lombardi wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't at least listen to offers for Mike this offseason. A buyout is not and I believe was never a consideration. I'd love to have him round back into form and be the PP specialist we know he can be.

 

[Telos]

I doubt it, No one is going to pay Williams much more than he already makes.

Also does Williams seem like a guy that wants another big pay day ? Not really.

I don't see how he couldn't get a million dollar raise. He is making $3.6m, is a clutch playoff performer, and is good for 20+ goals and 50+ points pretty much every year. Reminds me of Danny Briere, who makes $6.5m because of one very good season, but was still making $5 million prior to that one season. I agree that Williams doesn't seem like a guy that is looking to go mercenary, but I think it is crazy to think that there aren't GM's out there that would offer him at least $4.5m.

 

[BigBrown]

Yeah I don't see how Williams doesn't earn 4.5-5M minimum on the open market. How many teams feel like they're one clutch scorer away from competing for either the Cup or a playoff position? There would be a massive bidding war for his services.