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Originally Posted by AR_Six
Anyone speculating about a buy-out is an idiot.
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Actually it makes a lot of sense from the Ranger's perspective.
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The 32-year-old center is in the second season of a nine-year, $60 million deal, of which all but $3 million is paid out in the first six years. It also comes with a full no-movement clause.
With next season's salary cap dropping to $64.3 million, Brooks observed the Rangers would have roughly $10 million to re-sign restricted free agents Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan, leaving little room for other roster moves.
Richards' numbers since joining the Rangers in 2011 (66 points in 82 games last season, 11 points in 17 games this year) are not those expected of a first-line center with a cap hit of $6.7 million per season.
Considering the centers potentially available this summer via free agency (Ryan Getzlaf, Stephen Weiss, Mike Ribeiro) or trade (Ryan O'Reilly), it might be worthwhile to buy out Richards and put the savings toward a more affordable option.
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http://www.thehockeynews.com/article...-Richards.html
He hasn't performed to expectations, has a no movement clause, and there are other guys they can sign who provide comparable upside for less money.
It's the one chance the Rangers have to potentially rid themselves of a contract that rapidly appears to be becoming an albatross.
Thank goodness the Flames didn't get him.