[News] Mike Richards on waivers - CLEARS

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

The Oilers HAVE to take him.

They have cap space galore, and do not have to give up anyone, nor do they have to force anyone to go there.

I don't think that is accurate......they should have lots of room based on how crappy they are but they don't.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Does Richards have a NTC? If not, I'm surprised the Oilers haven't made a move for him. Experienced center, pretty tough, has a couple cups, would come relatively cheap due to the contract he's signed to, would slot into their #2 spot behind Nugent-Hopkins.

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I don't think Richards comes as cheap as you think.

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Looks like he does:
**rumour link**

Originally Posted by dissentowner

But that proves my point. He won't come cheap because he has a large cap hit plus term you need to make room for, then you have to give up assets in the form of picks/prospects the Kings want. Hard to do.

Originally Posted by The Fonz

You're not making sense. The large cap hit and term are a huge negative towards Richards value.

They can't find a "taker" for his contract. It's not like they've set a price for Richards and can't find a team to pay that price (ex: BUF/Myers), they simply can not even find a "taker".

On waivers today...

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by automaton 3

Since they couldn't work out a trade for him, I'm thinking he'll go unclaimed.

For teams to take on that contract, I'd think they'd rather send a contract back or force LA to retain salary - he may get traded yet.

Seems like strange timing by the Kings, more movement afoot?

My guess would be that they're clearing out room for a defenceman.

It was an odd call-up of Wotherspoon by the Flames....hmmmmm.....

[HOWITZER]

Originally Posted by Frequitude

For those wondering, he carries a $5.75M cap hit for the next 4 years (through the 2018-2019 season).

Actual cash owed starting next season is $6.0M, $5.5M, $4.5M, $3.0M.

Wait, forgive my lack of contact knowledge, but I thought if you claim someone off waivers the other team takes on half the cap hit? So wouldn't Richards only cost 2.875m per year?

[Weitz]

Oiler's won't take him. They have 4 centers (not necessarily good ones) for this year and will evaluate taking on another center after the draft I would think.

[Blarg]

@TSNBobMcKenzie: If Richards retires before end of contract, especially in penultimate or last year, LA gets dinged with significant cap recapture penalty.

I wish Capgeek was still around. Does anyone know how much penalty that would end up as?

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by MacFlame

My guess would be that they're clearing out room for a defenceman.

It was an odd call-up of Wotherspoon by the Flames....hmmmmm.....

Don't see any scenario where the Flames would risk improving the LA Kings, who are chasing us for that last wild card spot.

[keenan87]

Trade Matt Stajan for a 3rd Round Pick
Then claim Mike Richards

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Don't see any scenario where the Flames would risk improving the LA Kings, who are chasing us for that last wild card spot.

Oh, I agree. Perhaps simply a domino effect for another team or perhaps pure coincidence....likely the latter.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

On waivers today...

[jschick88]

oh boy.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 38 seconds ago
TOR/CGY believed to be teams talking recently to LA about Richards trade. Guessing Leafs/Flames were trying to move their bad contracts.

[Locke]

I'm a huge fan of Mike Richards, hes long been one of my favourite players and I'd love to see him on the Flames, but not for that contract.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by jschick88

oh boy.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 38 seconds ago
TOR/CGY believed to be teams talking recently to LA about Richards trade. Guessing Leafs/Flames were trying to move their bad contracts.

makes zero sense.

why brad why

[Red Menace]

The more I think about it, the more I think the Flames should pick him up.
We have tonnes of room, and he is an upgrade over Stajan.
We can always still buy him out after a year or 2 if it doesn't work out, or we start getting close to the cap.
I certainly would have traded for him if the Kings added a high pick in the mix.
That being said, I really doubt we will claim him.

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by jschick88

oh boy.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 38 seconds ago
TOR/CGY believed to be teams talking recently to LA about Richards trade. Guessing Leafs/Flames were trying to move their bad contracts.

It makes sense...

The Wotherspoon call-up was a little odd. Wonder if they were/are trying to move out a defensemen?

[Tacopuck]

Just for arguments sake what would be the cap hit if the Flames were to buy him out 2 years from now.

Reasoning behind this is we have cap space now, but need to keep space available 2 years from now when Monahan / Gaudreau ect... need pay bumps (assuming they dont drop off a cliff - which I dont). A $2-3M cap hit for 2 years is easier to eat than $5.75M

[ComixZone]

if Treliving can land Richards in a trade alongside a pick as compensation (or moving a smaller cap-hit, like Stajan or something), I'll be one happy fan.

I still think Richards has a place, even at 5.75M.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by jschick88

oh boy.

Bob McKenzie @TSNBobMcKenzie · 38 seconds ago
TOR/CGY believed to be teams talking recently to LA about Richards trade. Guessing Leafs/Flames were trying to move their bad contracts.

I'd be okay with that if another good asset came with him and/or LA retained some salary.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by MacFlame

The Wotherspoon call-up was a little odd. Wonder if they were/are trying to move out a defensemen?

Smid is injured.

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by devo22

Smid is injured.

It was still odd...