Would you sign Brad Richards to a 3yr $3mil contract this summer?

[sureLoss]

Healthy scratched in a playoff elimination game

David Pagnotta ‏@TheFourthPeriod 2m Even if Richards is bought out, like many expect (including members of other teams), he'll find a new home relatively quickly.

Darren Dreger ‏@DarrenDreger 32s The NYR may swallow $24 mil for 14 years by buying Richards out, but there will be teams eager to sign him in summer for $3 mil per x 3 yrs.

[Erick Estrada]

Nope but I am very, very, very terrified of what Feaster may offer him. He only would have come here for the money and now the money won't be as big a factor he will sign with another team in the east like maybe the Panthers or even Leafs. Unless Feaster goes all stupid again then it's a possibility.

At least I can say I never bought into the hype of this guy. Sad that our GM did though.

[dissentowner]

Depends on what the goal of the franchise is. If Edwards is serious when he said the mandate is to make the playoffs next year then absolutely. If he was just blowing smoke to try and keep the fan base appeased but wants to build through the draft then no.

[kyuss275]

Damm rights i would. Look at our center group and look at our center prospects. Even the guy we draft this year probably won't be playing in the NHL this year.

I don't see ownership being patient and drafting in the top 3 for the next bunch of years. I think they will take their time this year but after that they are going to spend money. Might as well pick him up now considering they are going to spend money next year anyway. Granted he would have his choice of where to go and Calgary would be at the bottom of the list.

[bubbsy]

no, never been a big richards fan.

think the oilers should definitely make a push. He would help solidify their center position in the top 6, bring loads of experience, etc.

[lazypucker]

3 years for $3-mil per? Of course I will do that. I don't think Richards will be as bad as a $2.5-mil Stajan (sans this season) and $2-mil Babchuk

[bubbsy]

if we're bringing back richards, then hopefullly feaster's making a pitch for iginla also, as it fits in wiht any philosophy/strategy being used to justify going after richards.

I would love to hear the pre/post apex player justifications if this were to happen.

[Muta]

Well, we lost the Iginla factor... and my guess is that at his age, and the stage that our team is at... he's not going to be highly motivated to come to Calgary.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

if we're bringing back richards, then hopefullly feaster's making a pitch for iginla also, as it fits in wiht any philosophy/strategy being used to justify going after richards.

I would love to hear the pre/post apex player justifications if this were to happen.

We need NHL centers and you are not giving up any assets to bring him in.

That is the justification.

Fact of the matter is you are going to need some post-apex players because we just don't have enough pre/apex players on the roster to fill out a team, and we don't want to rush our young players.

[Phanuthier]

ouch... but yes, for $3M.

can't believe he was offered a 12 year contract at 31 years old....scary

[sureLoss]

He should be a decent mentor to Lindholm/Monahan/Barkov if the Flames pick one of them.

[Canada 02]

he's a healthy scratch for game 4

[FlamesAddiction]

Old and washed-up is the opposite of what we need. I still can't believe we dodged that bullet.

[Parallex]

At 3M for 3 Years? Heck yeah, sign him up.

[valo403]

At $3mil I'd do it in a heartbeat if he fit my team, but I don't think he fits the Flames at this point.

[ah123]

I'd consider offering him a 1 year/4M "rehab" contract. He will get lots of icetime to get his game back and the Flames can trade him at the deadline. Really don't want him here for more than that

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

We need NHL centers and you are not giving up any assets to bring him in.

That is the justification.

Fact of the matter is you are going to need some post-apex players because we just don't have enough pre/apex players on the roster to fill out a team, and we don't want to rush our young players.

fair enough.

i am just not a richards fan, and wouldn't be thrilled to see him as a flame.

i just think the flames are not going to be very good for the next year or 2, so getting bandaids over this period doesn't add much value.

[Ashasx]

Yes, but not for much longer term or higher salary.

I'd go 2x4.5M

[Fire in the disco]

No question I would sign him for 3 years at 9 million. We're in a position for a reclamation project

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

We need NHL centers and you are not giving up any assets to bring him in.

That is the justification.

Fact of the matter is you are going to need some post-apex players because we just don't have enough pre/apex players on the roster to fill out a team, and we don't want to rush our young players.

Exactly. If you give up no assets to get him, and you don't overpay, therefore not wasting cap sapce you might want to use elsewhere at any point during the contract, then there litterally is 0 risk except to ownerships money. Assuming they are ok to part with said money, then no downside, even for a re-building team. Unfortunately, Richards will not be taking away any ice time from one our up and coming centres because we don't really have any, and we certainly don't have them in volume.