[Street Pharmacist]

Mike Richards settlement does little to prevent players’ ‘destructive spirals’


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...service=mobile

Everyone involved in this case is quick to point out the settlement does not set a precedent because, well, it says so right in the legal language of the agreement.

This is considered a “one off.”

But if you’re wondering why other teams aren’t contesting the deal, perhaps it’s because it effectively gives owners and general managers a powerful trump card to keep players in line.

Especially those on unwanted deals – of which there are many these days.

Richards’s play has been in decline for years. A former Selke runner-up and all-star who was a key member of the Kings’ first Stanley Cup team 3 1/2 years ago, he was waived through the league and sent to the minors last January.

He was 29 years old.

There’s no indication – and certainly not after the arrest – that the Kings tried to help Richards with his problem.

And had he been performing at a higher level, on a more reasonable contract, it’s unlikely the team would have been so quick to nullify his deal.

(Especially given there was talk this summer that the Kings were considering welcoming defenceman Slava Voynov – who pleaded no contest to domestic assault in July – back into the fold had he not returned to Russia amid immigration issues related to his jail time.)

This doesn’t become a grievance if Anze Kopitar is involved.

Kings GM Dean Lombardi offered his version of events in an emotional letter to the LA Times on Friday, explaining – without offering specifics – that Richards had abused his trust and entered “a destructive spiral” that affected his play.

Lombardi portrays himself and the Kings as the victim. He explains he wanted Richards to become his “Derek Jeter” – his own version of the beloved Yankees captain – and that when Richards didn’t live up to that ideal, it was a personal disappointment.

Lombardi doesn’t mention attempting to get Richards help for off-ice issues, only that there had been rumours that went ignored.

“I refused to believe that they were true despite some obvious signs,” he wrote.

It’s a disturbing response to the situation, especially considering NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly’s recent admission that illicit drug use is on the rise among players.

layers considered valued and cost-effective – like Montreal’s Zack Kassian – are suspended and placed into treatment.

Players who have outlived their usefulness are punitively dumped and forced into a grievance process to recoup their contracts – if teams believe they can get better terms there than on a buyout.

It’s an outcome that will only breed distrust rather than help these players, who will be less likely to come forward with their issues if they risk a lucrative contract being annulled.

It’s an outcome that won’t prevent future destructive spirals.

Mirtle is bang on here