[News] Mike Richards on waivers - CLEARS

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

How much would Richards make personally if sent down?

As I understand it, players on NHL contracts actually take home more money in the AHL than they do in the NHL because theres no escrow.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

How much would Richards make personally if sent down?

More $ than if he stayed up in the NHL. Technically he makes his NHL salary but AHL players don't have to pay escrow to the NHL.

[FlamesPuck12]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

How much would Richards make personally if sent down?

The same amount he would make in the NHL.

[OzSome]

Nobody will be stupid enough to claim him through the waiver or even trade for him. His contract is just way too much for someone who is palying in the 4th line. Calgary should keep their plan in rebuilding this team with young talent. I think we already have the proper amount of veteran players in this team to add the young talent. We have lots of cap room right now and should stay that way because in the few years, we will see guys like Giordano, Brodie, Gaudreau, Monahan, Jooris and even Hudler and Russell gets the huge salary increase. Look at what happened when the Flames have Iginla and Bouwmeester's big contract, they are practically just trying to give them away. Mike Richards' talent I think is going downhill. He was not the same player as he used to and defintely does not warrant the $5M+ contract a season right now. Stay away Calgary Flames!!

[The_Future]

Originally Posted by Karl

Take a look at this below.

Pierre LeBrun @Real_ESPNLeBrun
Lombardi doesn't expect Richards to be claimed on waivers. Says looked at trade route but no fit. Hopes Mike will re-discover game in AHL

Ouch!

Oh I hear you. I am just saying is that people are ragging on Lombardi. I am saying I think the last 3 years lets him off the hook for this "mistake".

I also wouldn't write him off. He wouldn't be the first player reclaimed of the scrap heap to turn it around. It's not like he is 36, he is 29.

I also know I wouldn't claim him or break the bank for him. I am saying if the right deal came around I think he could improve our team.

[Vinny01]

Richards has made the finals 3 of the last 5 years with 2 cup wins including his first year in LA. He is a winner just overpaid especially on term. Clearly there is no fit. His contract sucks just like Luongos but his play has eroded far more

[Bourque's Twin]

The Flames have loads of CAP space today, but Richards' contract expires in 2020.
By then, the Flames will have had to lock in Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Poirier, and more.

I remember watching Richards on the Flyers, in the Olympics, and during the Kings' cup runs. He was an absolute beast. But being a beast could be his detriment. He's only 5'11, 199. That's small for his style of play. His body is probably not the same as it was 4-5 years ago.

It's tempting to try to resurrect the old Mike Richards, but it's smart to let him pass.

[Kaine]

Richards is not as bad as his play this year would suggest. Still, do not want. Please for the love of all things made of bacon, do not want!

[The_Future]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

The Flames have loads of CAP space today, but Richards' contract expires in 2020.
By then, the Flames will have had to lock in Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Poirier, and more.

I remember watching Richards on the Flyers, in the Olympics, and during the Kings' cup runs. He was an absolute beast. But being a beast could be his detriment. He's only 5'11, 199. That's small for his style of play. His body is probably not the same as it was 4-5 years ago.

It's tempting to try to resurrect the old Mike Richards, but it's smart to let him pass.

I still say if the deal is right he is worth a shot. Picks, prospects, what have you. It's not like can't use a compliance buy out on him this summer or next or whatever.

Again we are in the prime position. If LA wants to move him bad enough we totally have the upper hand on the deal.

[dammage79]

If the Flames can get 50% retained salary in the trade I think it would definitely sit better with a lot of people. Just a tick under 3m a year for the rest of the term is easier to swallow.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

Depending on the specifics of any deal, I wont be upset if we acquire Richards. Sure he is signed 2 additional years more than Stajan, but he is 2 years younger, and has a much higher ceiling. He played at 54 pts pace just 2 yrs ago, don't see why he can't recapture his game.
And if he doesn't, then send him to the minors or buy him out.

Not has, had, as in used to have a much higher ceiling. LOL

And as for sending Richards to the minors, if this below is anything to go by, looks like his current GM is already apparently willing to do just that.

Pierre LeBrun @Real_ESPNLeBrun
Lombardi doesn't expect Richards to be claimed on waivers. Says looked at trade route but no fit. Hopes Mike will re-discover game in AHL

Sad.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by dammage79

If the Flames can get 50% retained salary in the trade I think it would definitely sit better with a lot of people. Just a tick under 3m a year for the rest of the term is easier to swallow.

Maybe, but the Kings likely wouldn't retain salary while sending him to a team in the same division.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by The_Future

As I mentioned if it wasn't for Voynov they wouldn't be in a bind and they might not be looking to move him at all.

How is Voynov putting them in a bind? They are getting cap relief for him just like he was on LTIR. The same relief any team would get if a player was injured long term.

Any bind Voynov put them in would not exist if they used a compliance buy out on Richards last summer.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

If I had to guess, I would say the framework of the deal between Treliving and Lombardi were worked out, but then Treliving asked for additional picks and/or prospects

That doesn't sound like something a GM with any professionalism would do.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

That doesn't sound like something a GM with any professionalism would do.

I can see the % of salary retained being the sliding bar that they were tinkering with though. Treliving probably wanted more retained unpon thought or taking the deal to Burke and ownership. All speculation of course. but it makes sense to me over picks.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by Locke

As I understand it, players on NHL contracts actually take home more money in the AHL than they do in the NHL because theres no escrow.

Might even pay less income tax in NH to boot.

[The_Future]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

How is Voynov putting them in a bind? They are getting cap relief for him just like he was on LTIR. The same relief any team would get if a player was injured long term.

Any bind Voynov put them in would not exist if they used a compliance buy out on Richards last summer.

Sure, the league has taken Voynov’s AAV of just over $4.1 million off of L.A.’s cap. But what if GM Dean Lombardi were to go out and spend that money, and then Voynov returns after his March 2 court date?

“He’s a top-three defenceman. You’re not going to go out and find one of those anyhow,” GM Dean Lombardi said.

So, the league cap forgiveness allows L.A. to operate under the cap when dressing 20 players day by day, but the Kings are still without one of their top defencemen for an unknown amount of time. Not surprisingly, the Kings have struggled, with just five road wins all season.

Another issue? Voynov’s court date and the NHL trade deadline are both on March 2. That will be touch-and-go as far as Lombardi trying to make a move, should Voynov be found guilty and end up doing time.

Los Angeles could live with losing Willie Mitchell as a free agent off last season’s Cup-winning roster, knowing that they could ease Brayden McNabb into the lineup. Losing Voynov has tipped that balance, however. Now McNabb is playing more than planned, though he’s managed to hold his own.

“We were prepared for the one loss. Not both,” Lombardi admits.

Stole the above from this article: Click me

So guess who gets the axe to upgrade your defence? Probably the guy under performing the most.

Additionally the team has won 2 Cups in 3 years. Why so horny to dismantle the team? Lombardi can't see the future, he had no way to know Richards would have a terrible year this year. They obviously had seen some value in him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

That doesn't sound like something a GM with any professionalism would do.

If you've shaken hands on a deal, you are right. If you are still talking about what's going into it, no.

I seriously doubt Treliving would shake Lombardi's hand on a deal and then say he wanted more. He might say "that sounds good, let me think" or otherwise indicate he was favorable, and then come back and say "I've thought about it, but I need more".

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by The_Future

It's not like can't use a compliance buy out on him this summer or next or whatever.

Can't use compliance buyouts anymore otherwise L.A. would surely use one on him.

[automaton 3]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

That doesn't sound like something a GM with any professionalism would do.

Until there is actually a deal, each side is free to make whatever new or additional demands they want.

In terms of professionalism - pretty concerning that someone in the Kings organization appears to have leaked this info (I can't see the Flames leaking this).