[News] Kings terminate Richards contract. UPD: Kings and Richards reach settlement

[automaton 3]

There was talk of some dissension in the King's dressing room last year.

I thought I also read that Richards is generally well liked and that some players did not agree with how he was treated (ie sent to the minors).

I'm hoping this move only adds fuel to the fire.

[Cyclops]

[QUOTE=pylon;5349959]I don't really see why him neglecting to stay in physical shape as promised has everyone so up in arms about this. He is a professional athlete, and he was signed to an agreement when he was in a certain physical condition. For him to just throw that out the window, binge drink, and live on a McDonalds diet if that is in fact the reasoning.... well he devalued himself, and cheated the team.

If you were a firefighter, and balloned up to 400 pounds, couldn't walk a flight of stairs, were doing coke on your days off....well, you'd be terminated as you are incapable of performing your expecting duties. How is this really any different?

If I ever declared bankruptcy, I would be terminated with cause from my job, because it is in my employment agreement to manage and maintain a credit score in good standing, and not have any legal judgements, bankruptcies, or consumer proposals on file.

If he made a promise to keep in reasonable shape as would be expected of an elite professional athlete, as a condition of his contract/employment, and failed to maintain that condition, he should be held responsible, just like a dead beat who flakes out on a loan, or the fireman that can't do his job.[/QU

Isn't alcoholism and drug addiction a disease? When Kessel had Cancer could the Bruins have terminated his contract because he wasn't in good enough shape?

[Benched]

ESPN is reporting (via the FAN) that an 'off ice incident' came to light on Friday of the draft. LA was in negotiations with the Flames/Oilers to move Richards, when they found out, they cancelled negotiations and informed the league about what they were going to do (terminate contract)

Interesting.

[paddlesup]

Has to be more to it, they wouldn't risk a law suit with NHLPA

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by cannon7

In what way does a material breach protect Richards' reputation? Now the entire league is going to be speculating as to which clause the Kings allege he breached. It better be a legit reason or else Richards is potentially incurring further damages. This whole thing stinks.

I would imagine it would make them liable for defamation

Dean Lombardi has a law degree, while not always the case (I guess) you would have to think that a GM who has a law degree has gone through all the legal scenario's and consequences of this and the actions he takes.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Benched

ESPN is reporting (via the FAN) that an 'off ice incident' came to light on Friday of the draft. LA was in negotiations with the Flames/Oilers to move Richards, when they found out, they cancelled negotiations and informed the league about what they were going to do (terminate contract)

Interesting.

This sounds like nonsense. No way the Flames were willing to take on that Richards' contract.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

This sounds like nonsense. No way the Flames were willing to take on that Richards' contract.

Sounds like the same rumors that the Kings were trying to trade Ryan Smyth to both Oilers and Flames.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Wow talk about acting like a bunch of children in this thread.

How about waiting to see what exactly happened before going all crazy?

You're free to post on CP as a rival fan, but don't come on here and call everyone a bunch of children.

[Benched]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

This sounds like nonsense. No way the Flames were willing to take on that Richards' contract.

I doubt we were in on him, for real. But I'd be surprised if BT didn't have a conversation with Lombardi.

He seemed to be talking to every GM there was, so in his travels...

[OILFAN #81]

ESPN is reporting they were just informed what the incident was regarding Richards and they are shocked. Details to come soon. This was reported by John Buccigross.

[skudr248]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

ESPN is reporting they were just informed what the incident was regarding Richards and they are shocked. Details to come soon. This was reported by John Buccigross.

Very interested to find out what indeed this is...

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I would imagine it would make them liable for defamation.

Not if it's true.

[MisterJoji]

If they are allowed to void this contract then they should be forced to void Stoll (cocaine, & Voynov (domestic abuse). Also Patrick Kane's deal should be void (abuse) as well as Byfuglien (DUI), etc. Teams shouldn't be allowed to pick and choose what offenses are
void-worthy and which aren't to better suit their team and salary cap structure. All or nothing, this is BS.

[Gaudfather]

Here is a link to the ESPN story.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nhl/s...-mike-richards

The Kings did not say why Richards is in violation of the deal, though several sources told ESPN.com it involves an off-the-ice incident.

Several sources told ESPN.com the Kings were made aware of the situation Friday, approximately an hour after the first round of the 2015 NHL draft had begun.

The team was already in the process of trying to trade him -- discussions were in place with both the Edmonton Oilers and the Calgary Flames -- but Kings general manager Dean Lombardi immediately informed both teams upon learning about the situation that he had no prior knowledge of the incident and halted those talks, according to a source.

It is not immediately clear when said incident took place.

[sureLoss]

That no one from the media has published the rumor so far says it is probably being held back by their lawyers as potentially libel or defamation.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

^If that's the case then they're worried it's not true and as a result shouldn't be using it to terminate a contract. But it might just be due diligence, in which case we'll hear soon.

Here's a bit of baseless speculation: what if it's PEDs?

[dammage79]

Yeesh. Whatever it is, ain't good if the media won't touch it.

Just read what it apparently is. Not cool but its not something I cannot see this reaction about either. It's gotta be something more.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

If they are allowed to void this contract then they should be forced to void Stoll (cocaine, & Voynov (domestic abuse). Also Patrick Kane's deal should be void (abuse) as well as Byfuglien (DUI), etc. Teams shouldn't be allowed to pick and choose what offenses are
void-worthy and which aren't to better suit their team and salary cap structure. All or nothing, this is BS.

Really? Thats weird. If Brodie got caught with a speeding ticket (against the law), should that make his contract void and he becomes a UFA?

[Roof-Daddy]

Well whatever this incident is, it may have cost Mike Richards $22 million.

Or on a buy out it would have been 2/3 of that?

Anyways, this is still unbelievably stupid, and I can't believe the Kings might get out from under that contract. Real disappointing to say the least.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

^If that's the case then they're worried it's not true and as a result shouldn't be using it to terminate a contract. But it might just be due diligence, in which case we'll hear soon.

Here's a bit of baseless speculation: what if it's PEDs?

Pies, Eclairs, and Danish(s)?