[Signing] B. Richards to Chicago (1yr, $2mil, NMC)

[sureLoss]

Hawks are $2 million over the cap now.

Versteeg gone?

[GreenLantern]

Versteeg seems the most logical choice.. maybe Bickell?

Bickell has 3 more years left @ 4 mill. They've got Kane/Toews up for a raise that is rumoured to be around 10 mill.. thats a 7 mill+ bump right there. Saad and Kruger are up for a raise next year, then Shaw/Smith are right behind them the following year.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Hawks are $2 million over the cap now.

Versteeg gone?

Give us your first round pick!

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

nice to see a guy who cares about winning rather than just chasing more cash

He's got enough of that with his shiny new buy-out.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Good signing unless they expect any kind of production out of him in the playoffs. He was next to useless for the entire Rangers run

There will be less pressure on Richards as he won't be expected to be the team leader and points producer.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

nice to see a guy who cares about winning rather than just chasing more cash

Pretty easy to not care about cash when you've got the most cash in NHL history.

[OzSome]

Hah!! I remembered saying Brad Richard might be willing to sign for a lot less somewhere BUT someone shot me down saying it doesn't work that way anymore. This is a good signing for both side since Brad already making big bucks from the Rangers for not playing there so he is not losing any money for signing less somewhere. Signing to Chicago will give him another chance to win the Cup.

[Da_Chief]

Wow, best signing by far.

[Ashasx]

The rich get richer.

Who would have thought that the best contract of the day would go to Brad Richards?

Smart management.

[19Yzerman19]

My issue is that I don't know that he can actually play top 6 C anymore with his knees. But then, he's being paid as a 4th liner, so worst case they can maybe get something out of him on the power play. Also don't know that he's much of a drop off from Handzus in any event.

[Oling_Roachinen]

With their current roster (14 signed forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies) even moving Versteeg would keep them above the cap, if only slightly. Could be other roster moves obviously but I think it might be a bit bigger than just losing Versteeg.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

nice to see a guy who cares about winning rather than just chasing more cash

To be fair he's garenteed what? Over $100 mill from the Rangers? So why not sign for a cheep deal in order to win.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The rich get richer.

Who would have thought that the best contract of the day would go to Brad Richards?

Smart management.

Part of the value of being a winning organization. A guy like Richards is getting paid huge coin because of the buyout so he can choose to go somewhere to get another ring.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

nice to see a guy who cares about winning rather than just chasing more cash

Make no mistake, this (like the Erhoff signing) is largely about putting himself in a position to succeed and re-establish himself as a top player so he can cash in next year.

[Chill Cosby]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The rich get richer.

Who would have thought that the best contract of the day would go to Brad Richards?

Smart management.

Smart agent, smart player.
I doubt Chicago did much else for this deal other than "be a bonafide contender."

Scary deal tho.

Toews/Sharp
Richards/Kane

[Derek Sutton]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Versteeg seems the most logical choice.. maybe Bickell?

Bickell has 3 more years left @ 4 mill. They've got Kane/Toews up for a raise that is rumoured to be around 10 mill.. thats a 7 mill+ bump right there. Saad and Kruger are up for a raise next year, then Shaw/Smith are right behind them the following year.

Bickell has NTC. Versteeg out for sure and one of the D, only one with a NTC is Leddy.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

With their current roster (14 signed forwards, 7 defensemen, and 2 goalies) even moving Versteeg would keep them above the cap, if only slightly. Could be other roster moves obviously but I think it might be a bit bigger than just losing Versteeg.

Unfortunately the other option is trading Patrick Sharp for high draft picks and/or a high end prospects. Not sure Stan Bowman will go on that route though.

[Machiavelli]

Awesome signing. If it doesn't work out, no biggie all.

[Stay Golden]

Hawks get a steal for that price. Richards will want to prove he hasn't turned into a chump. Richards will either make or break the opportunity to making big money in a year.

[Erick Estrada]

Not a big Richards fan at all but props to him for realizing he's made out like a bandit over his career and taking a below market value deal to play for a true cup contender.