[News] Mike Richards on waivers - CLEARS

[Locke]

Yeah, LA is going to have to sweeten the deal.

The teams that could pick him up and fit him in their team and under their cap, such as Buffalo/Carolina, etc, are on budgets. They'll want a good player but arent capable or interested in paying the money.

The money is serious negative value that overshadows the overall value of the player.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Karl

Ugh. Cannot get over the $5.75M cap hit. Especially for the player he is now versus what he used to be.

If it was the player he used to be, then that would actually not be a bad cap hit.

I haven't seen enough Kings games over the past couple of seasons, but is it possible that change of scenery and increased roll would help, or have his abilities just diminished?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Points aren't everything. Richards is only a couple years removed from being a top-level two-way centreman, and a couple years younger. If Stajan can improve on his first 3 years of terrible (which he did), I don't see why Richards can't.

Concern about the cap is understandable, but don't see it as that buig of an issue with contracts like Hiller and Jones expiring the same time as Gaudreau and Monahan become RFAs, and Raymond (hopefully bought out or traded) Engelland, and Stajan (could be traded), the year after. It may not be the hinderance some think.

There's no question Stajan is overpaid, but Richards might be only a little better than him and he makes twice as much for twice as long.

Stajan is one of our few bottom 6 players who can keep his head above water playing with crap linemates.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Don't think Edmonton can afford him.

Currently have 5.466M in cap space.

Richards cap hit is 5.750.

Would be tight, but they can do it. Waiving a guy like Gazdic or trading Petry would make it work.

[mkd_087]

I'd say the only way Calgary pulls the trigger is if we can unload a player deemed 'expendable' and if there may be a pick coming our way. The only benefit for LA would be getting some cap space. I also don't know if LA would be keen on having Richards now playing for team that's so close to them in the standings. I just don't see it happening.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Karl

Wouldn't be too surprised if Flames somehow got him if he'd only be the 4th line centre on this team right now too playing 8-11 min a game.

I don't think the Flames would be looking for more than that. The cap hit sucks for a player at that part your line up, but if he can (still) be a player who can take on top forward lines respectably, therby giving Monahan and Backlund a break from that type of role.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

Currently have 5.466M in cap space.

Richards cap hit is 5.750.

Would be tight, but they can do it. Waiving a guy like Gazdic or trading Petry would make it work.

Dont you have to pro-rate their space and his hit? I still think it would be tight but they could probably still do it.

I think seeing Richards as an Oiler would make me sick.

[_Q_]

Why the hell would we want Mike Richards? Some of you guys confuse me.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If it was the player he used to be, then that would actually not be a bad cap hit.

I haven't seen enough Kings games over the past couple of seasons, but is it possible that change of scenery and increased roll would help, or have his abilities just diminished?

Anything's possible, but it looks to me as if his abilities have really diminished too much. Either way, IMO, it is not worth it for the Flames to be pursuing this.

I mean, realistically, he's only going to be deserving of playing 3rd-line centre on this team at best going by the player he's looking like now (Behind Monahan & Backs for sure), maybe even 4th line centre. I don't think there's even much for him to be gained here because of this.

[saillias]

Boggles my mind that yes is nearly doubling no. There's a better chance of Kevin Lowe stepping down today and admitting he has failed

[Dx54]

I love Mike Richards but that contract is hard to bite and his production has been terrible ever since the trade to LA.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Dx54

I love Mike Richards but that contract is hard to bite and his production has been terrible ever since the trade to LA.

Hes been relegated to 3rd and 4th line minutes, so yeah, his production is going to suffer.

[The Big Chill]

That contract will be a nightmare for the final 2-3 years of it. Why would we want to marginally improve now, the middle of our rebuild, and add on a contract that will do nothing but eat up cap space when we have to start paying the players we acquired through this rebuild?

A definite NO for me. If we have a plan to use our cap space to flip him for assets then thats a different story, but we should stay far away from this contract as a waiver wire pickup.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Why the hell would we want Mike Richards? Some of you guys confuse me.

To take advantage of LA by getting a sweetener from them. That could be a good prospect, a 1st/2nd, whatever the case may be.

If we can move two of Smid/Engelland/Raymond/Stajan and maybe open up a d-man spot and a forward spot for our prospects to fight over, that's why I'd do it.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Stajan+Engelland for Richards?

So trade him for a cheaper centre on about the same PPG pace, who the team loves, plus a defenceman when we don't have an NHL replacement, especially with Smid out?

Yeah that makes sense.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

There's no question Stajan is overpaid, but Richards might be only a little better than him and he makes twice as much for twice as long.

Stajan is one of our few bottom 6 players who can keep his head above water playing with crap linemates.

And Mike Richards is nowhere close to being twice as good as Stajan anymore.

[Azure]

How would he do in Hartley's system? Sutter plays a suffocating style of game and Richard's offensive game as suffered as a result.

I have a hard time believing he is over the hill.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Azure

How would he do in Hartley's system? Sutter plays a suffocating style of game and Richard's offensive game as suffered as a result.

I have a hard time believing he is over the hill.

Doesn't help that he was playing 4th line minutes. Monahan - Backlund - Richards - Stajan is a pretty good center group (unless Stajan gets traded).

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Azure

How would he do in Hartley's system? Sutter plays a suffocating style of game and Richard's offensive game as suffered as a result.

I have a hard time believing he is over the hill.

Me too.

He plays on a team that doesn't score very much, and just hasn't really had a spot in the top 6 there.

It would be a big risk (one I don't want the Flames to take) but if he turns it around you are getting a guy who has been an all-star, an Olympian, and a proven playoff performer.

The thing that does concern me is that he was never a guy where it was all about talent, it was more about his hard work and determination. Wonder if two cups, big contract, Olympic gold, means he just can't get himself motivated anymore.

If I was a Jets fan I would be trying to bring the guy in. He would be an instant improvement in their bottom 6, and might be rejuvenated by moving close to home.

[Igster]

Richards has proven to be a winner and would be another excellent mentor for the younger players. That being said, not sure there is room on the Flames roster unless other moves are made and that contract is not great.

Tough call.