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Speculation: Will Richards Be A King Come Next Season?

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I am still of the opinion that there is not a GM in the league that touches that contract unless the Kings are either retaining salary or the Kings are taking back another teams bad contract in the deal.

Does anyone here really think that if MR were an UFA this summer that anyone would offer him a 6 year $34 million deal? And if anyone trades for him that is what they would be picking up, and in the process giving up assets. I just don't see how that is possible, even with his improved play in the playoffs this is nothing even remotely close to an almost $6 milllion player.

You guys say DL loves what MR, brings well I think DL also loves what Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez have brought this post season and loves what Marian Gaborik has brought to the Kings. The fact remains that if Richards isn't bought out it suddenly becoms very difficult to re-sign those three guys. And who knows what the Kings could be looking at with Pearson and Toffoli, there are just to many variables when it comes to building a roster long term to have a $6 million a year third line center. If Richards were making half of his cap hit or he was only signed through next season it would be different, but the cap hit and length for a bottom six center is just really tough to justify.
 
I don't see Richards being moved this off season.

I have been one of his biggest detractors from the very beginning, but I would be against trading him at this point in time. You have to consider the whole situation, not just production and cap space. There is something to be said for consistency, and social chemistry with in the organization. I don't think it would be a popular move amongst the players.
 
I actually think A-Mart is gone, he will be an UFA and will want a bigger role to play.

He will make more money and play larger minutes on a different team.
 
Dave in LA said:
For the argument "he makes too much money to be a 3rd/4th line center" is just as ridiculous.
Click to expand...

How is it ridiculous? This is a cap league, you have to spend accordingly.

Or are you willing to lose Gaborik this summer to retain Mike Richards as a bottom six center?

What about Muzzin and Martinez after next season?

What about TT and Pearson after next season, what if they continue to thrive with Carter, if they play like this they aren't signing for only their qualifying offer.

What about re-signing Kopitar down the the road?

I'm amazed someone can actually say that calling MR overpaid is "ridiculous" and won't have any effect on the long term construction of the team.
 
Herby said:
How is it ridiculous? This is a cap league, you have to spend accordingly.

Or are you willing to lose Gaborik this summer to retain Mike Richards as a bottom six center?

What about Muzzin and Martinez after next season?

What about TT and Pearson after next season, what if they continue to thrive with Carter, if they play like this they aren't signing for only their qualifying offer.

What about re-signing Kopitar down the the road?

I'm amazed someone can actually say that calling MR overpaid is "ridiculous" and won't have any effect on the long term construction of the team.
Click to expand...

Team has a problem brewing, Brown/Stoll/Clifford/Lewis/RR/Richards All over paid.
 
Herby said:
I am still of the opinion that there is not a GM in the league that touches that contract unless the Kings are either retaining salary or the Kings are taking back another teams bad contract in the deal.

Does anyone here really think that if MR were an UFA this summer that anyone would offer him a 6 year $34 million deal? And if anyone trades for him that is what they would be picking up, and in the process giving up assets. I just don't see how that is possible, even with his improved play in the playoffs this is nothing even remotely close to an almost $6 milllion player.
Click to expand...

You underestimate the ineptitude of many NHL general managers.

Richards is still held in high regards by many around the NHL. Even with his current contract, I think he has legitimate market value.
 
CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Marian Gaborik ($7.000m) / Anze Kopitar ($6.800m) / Dustin Brown ($5.875m)
Tanner Pearson ($0.736m) / Jeff Carter ($5.273m) / Tyler Toffoli ($0.717m)
Dwight King ($1.500m) / Jarret Stoll ($3.250m) / Justin Williams ($3.650m)
Kyle Clifford ($1.075m) / Trevor Lewis ($1.525m) /
Jordan Nolan ($0.700m) / Linden Vey ($0.900m)

DEFENSEMEN
Jake Muzzin ($1.000m) / Drew Doughty ($7.000m)
Robyn Regehr ($3.000m) / Slava Voynov ($4.167m)
Alec Martinez ($1.100m) /
Brayden McNabb ($0.900m) /

GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Quick ($5.800m)
Martin Jones ($0.550m)

BUYOUTS
Mike Richards ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,516,894; BONUSES: $342,500
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $8,583,106

This lineup contends for a Stanley Cup next year and also gives the Kings the financial freedom to not have to worry about having the cap space to sign Muzzin, Martinez, TT, Pearson or even Kopitar down the road. The Kings can add a really quality defenseman and a good bottom six forward that isn't signed until next decade.

I think people are drastically undervaluing what some of our own guys are going to command as FA's. I would hate to lose any of our key younger players because we weren't willing to pull the plug on some difficult contracts.
 
Gabo is not going to make 7 million, I don't even think he makes 6 million.

His injury history is really going to pull that cap number down.

Gabo is not 25, he is 32 going on 33. If some team is stupid enough to pay Gabo 7 Million(that's Doughty/Kopitar money) then more power to Gabo.

It just better not be the Kings. Gabo's real impact if you ask me has been on the PP. The Kings finally have a Dangerous puck handle person on the PP.

So far though against Chicago 3gp 0G 0A 0P -2 only 8 shots on net.
 
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damacles1156 said:
Gabo is not going to make 7 million, I don't even think he makes 6 million.

His injury history is really going to pull that cap number down.

Gabo is not 25, he is 32 going on 33. If some team is stupid enough to pay Gabo 7 Million(that's Doughty/Kopitar money) then more power to Gabo.

It just better not be the Kings.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Gaborik has fantastic hands and finishing ability, but most of the time he's invisible, plus he's made of glass. Not worth 7M.

The only way I'd be okay with him getting that much is if it was a 1 year deal, and I doubt Gaborik would be okay with such a short term.
 
It doesn't matter.

Without Richards we don't win the cup in 2012. Without him now we likely aren't sitting in the WCF. Cut and past for next year.

It's hockey. Guys go up, guys go down, no one gets paid what their worth that year. It's fine. All that matters is the team has a shot this year, next year, and hopefully the year after.

We don't trade for Richards we don't win the cup. So why worry about it now? What would you rather? No trade = no cup?.....
 
Tadite said:
It doesn't matter.

Without Richards we don't win the cup in 2012. Without him now we likely aren't sitting in the WCF. Cut and past for next year.

It's hockey. Guys go up, guys go down, no one gets paid what their worth that year. It's fine. All that matters is the team has a shot this year, next year, and hopefully the year after.

We don't trade for Richards we don't win the cup. So why worry about it now? What would you rather? No trade = no cup?.....
Click to expand...

Can you quote the post you are replying to, who said anything about not doing the trade 3 years ago?
 
johnjm22 said:
Agreed.

Gaborik has fantastic hands and finishing ability, but most of the time he's invisible, plus he's made of glass. Not worth 7M.

The only way I'd be okay with him getting that much is if it was a 1 year deal, and I doubt Gaborik would be okay with such a short term.
Click to expand...

That would be fine, 7 million one year to prove he can stay healthy for 82 games.

Also that his production is not going to fall off. If Lombardi is going to buyout Richards(which he should) don't turn around and give out a stupid contract to Gabo.

Then Gabo proceed to decline or get hurt.

5.5 to 5.8 for two years, that would be a fair contract to offer Gabo in my mind. Maybe push it to three years if Gabo wants more security.
 
His contract needs to go regardless of what happens, but it's something that should be focused on after the season. Until then, hopefully he plays his best.
 
Herby said:
CAPGEEK.COM ARMCHAIR GM ROSTER
CapGeek Armchair GM Roster
FORWARDS
Marian Gaborik ($7.000m) / Anze Kopitar ($6.800m) / Dustin Brown ($5.875m)
Tanner Pearson ($0.736m) / Jeff Carter ($5.273m) / Tyler Toffoli ($0.717m)
Dwight King ($1.500m) / Jarret Stoll ($3.250m) / Justin Williams ($3.650m)
Kyle Clifford ($1.075m) / Trevor Lewis ($1.525m) /
Jordan Nolan ($0.700m) / Linden Vey ($0.900m)

DEFENSEMEN
Jake Muzzin ($1.000m) / Drew Doughty ($7.000m)
Robyn Regehr ($3.000m) / Slava Voynov ($4.167m)
Alec Martinez ($1.100m) /
Brayden McNabb ($0.900m) /

GOALTENDERS
Jonathan Quick ($5.800m)
Martin Jones ($0.550m)

BUYOUTS
Mike Richards ($0.000m)
------
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(estimations for 2014-15)
SALARY CAP: $71,100,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,516,894; BONUSES: $342,500
CAP SPACE (21-man roster): $8,583,106

This lineup contends for a Stanley Cup next year and also gives the Kings the financial freedom to not have to worry about having the cap space to sign Muzzin, Martinez, TT, Pearson or even Kopitar down the road. The Kings can add a really quality defenseman and a good bottom six forward that isn't signed until next decade.

I think people are drastically undervaluing what some of our own guys are going to command as FA's. I would hate to lose any of our key younger players because we weren't willing to pull the plug on some difficult contracts.
Click to expand...

The chance of Richards being bought out is less than zero.
 
i like MR a lot, and i hope he stays, but he does post a lot of pictures of lake of the woods so maybe he is homesick or somethin. im sure Dean could working something out if he had to....he is a wizard after all
 
Herby said:
I am still of the opinion that there is not a GM in the league that touches that contract unless the Kings are either retaining salary or the Kings are taking back another teams bad contract in the deal.

Does anyone here really think that if MR were an UFA this summer that anyone would offer him a 6 year $34 million deal? And if anyone trades for him that is what they would be picking up, and in the process giving up assets. I just don't see how that is possible, even with his improved play in the playoffs this is nothing even remotely close to an almost $6 milllion player.

You guys say DL loves what MR, brings well I think DL also loves what Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez have brought this post season and loves what Marian Gaborik has brought to the Kings. The fact remains that if Richards isn't bought out it suddenly becoms very difficult to re-sign those three guys. And who knows what the Kings could be looking at with Pearson and Toffoli, there are just to many variables when it comes to building a roster long term to have a $6 million a year third line center. If Richards were making half of his cap hit or he was only signed through next season it would be different, but the cap hit and length for a bottom six center is just really tough to justify.
Click to expand...
Richards is having a bad season, but he's still contributing. Let's wait next season and see if he picks up his scoring. We could say the same about Brown. But to talk about this stuff with the team 1 win away from the SC Finals is just nonsense IMO.
 
In game 4 only Clifford got less ice time than Richards. And he is worst in +/- on the team with -5. Richards still brings veteran leadership to the team, but in the salary cap league this isn't enough. I hope DL will be shopping him in the summer. It will be hard to get something of value back because of his contract, but some teams like Oilers or Jets could be interested.
 
Well... With the top 3 lines pretty much set for next year.... That leaves Richards on the 4th. Leaving him with Lewis/Clifford isn't going to help Richards offensive numbers and he'll pretty much be wasted. Not much difference between Clifford/Richards/Lewis and swapping Vey/Shore/Weal on that line. Not because of skill level, but because of 4th line time and Cliffords/Lewis will pretty much destroy the offense on that line.

Now... If something like Prok/Richards/(Moller/Vey) happened... The line up would be nasty.

The reason to trade Richards would be to shift money to the defense.

It would hurt to lose a guy like Richards.

Edit: could see OTT... Richards salary for the next couple years is high (7/6M), but for a team with an internal cap having a guy making 3M cash with a higher cap hit would help hit the floor (few years out). Also if things turn bad in OTT and they have trouble holding onto their UFA's.... they could look to trade Methott UFA next year. I believe he's originally from the area so he may not want to move, but I think Lombardi would be interested in a guy like that. Also if Speeza (UFA) is moved OTT may need some center depth.
 
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Maybe they can buy-out his existing contract and turn around and sign him to something far more reasonable?

Does anyone know the math on buying-out existing contracts?

It'd be like Dean offering Richards a $20 million signing bonus in exchange for a new contract..... maybe....! Again, I don't know the math involved. But if it opens up $3.5 million in cap space, it's probably worth a try......
 
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