[News] Mike Richards on waivers - CLEARS

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

If it's Richards + compensation for our surplus junk then I must say he could be a decent acquisition.

with Mckenzie's quote on the the talks between CGY and LA, it's not out of the realm of possibility that CGY/LA have something worked out (that costs LA an asset to dump the salary), and this is just LA seeing if they can dump the contract without paying that price.

10AM tomorrow morning should be interesting regardless.

[Coach]

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.

Not disagreeing with any of that.

My point is that if Stajan (who was paid the same, but much worse only a couple years ago) can bring his game back up, why can't Richards? And IF Richards can, his top end is quite a bit better than Stajan's.

It's really all about whether or not you think it's worth the risk. It's understandable why some don't, but I also don't think it's ridiculous to think he could bring it back a bit. He'll still likely be overpaid, but I'm not sure the cap is as big of a problem as some think. There are others coming off the books with bloated salaries, trades can be made and buyouts are options too. Our team wil likely look quite a bit different in a couple years with (hopefully) guys like Poirier, Wotherspoon, Sven, etc.. taking the place of higher paid players, leaving room for Monahan, Gio and Gaudreau raises.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

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.

If you trade for Richards you are not opening up a forward spot. Not unless you trade two forwards, which the Flames don't need to do.

And the Flames don't have the defence prospects right now to fight over an NHL spot. The prospects they have aren't ready, aside from Wotherspoon.

[Tinordi]

He'll pass through waivers

Worst value contract in the league accounting for the future? Very likely

Couple that with the fact that we are very deep at center, and it's just plain dumb to want the flames to pick him up.

[Cflames_12.5]

Nobody wants him here, so the Flames will definitely claim him or trade for him after nobody claims him. I wouldn't mind him here actually. I'd rather him then Stajan. I think Richards is higher on the Grit Chart.

[topfiverecords]

Not sure I want a guy who's signed long term, well paid, production has dipped, and has won 2 recent cups. Does he have the internal drive to match what you'd get from a young guy with lesser skill but produces the same based on motivation and effort?

Only way I do it is if you can gain an asset from LA, and he slots in Stajan's slot.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

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

Monahan needs more sheltered minutes. I love the kid as much as the next guy, but his game stepped up big time when Backlund came back. He's still only 20 and could use a few more slightly sheltered years to help his development.

[Azure]

If we claim him off of waivers do we have to pay his full salary?

[Robo]

i think richards would do well in hartleys system, but like most of the other people on the board i would only take him with a sweetner coming back and a bad contract going the other way

[GreenLantern]

For some reason I thought he was a pending UFA so I voted yes, we've got the cap room and wouldn't cost the Flames anything, may help push them into the playoffs.

But at that term, no thanks.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Azure

Monahan needs more sheltered minutes. I love the kid as much as the next guy, but his game stepped up big time when Backlund came back. He's still only 20 and could use a few more slightly sheltered years to help his development.

Was just naming off centers, not necessarily the order I'd put them in either. However, Monahan has proven he can play against the best centers and do it decently.

[CliffFletcher]

So what's next, make a pitch for David Clarkson?

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Azure

If we claim him off of waivers do we have to pay his full salary?

Yes. See below.

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

The claiming team is responsible for the entire contract from the time the player is claimed. Any team wanting LA to retain salary would have to work out a trade.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

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.

Richards is two years younger than Stajan and would do a lot better if forced into a bigger role than Stajan would. If Calgary wants to compete with the big boys of the West, a guy like Richards would be amazing. Also, I believe by the tim the contract is over, 5 million will be not a big deal on the cap hit for a 34 year old centre who can win draws. I would rather have Wotherspoon playing in the NHL than Engelland regardless of Smid's injury status

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Karl

Yes. See below.

No. LA has already paid his salary from the beginning of the season up until the most recent payday... and they paid the previous years too.

[JohnnySkittles]

Originally Posted by Azure

Monahan needs more sheltered minutes. I love the kid as much as the next guy, but his game stepped up big time when Backlund came back. He's still only 20 and could use a few more slightly sheltered years to help his development.

Yes, but we don't want Richards just to shelter him for a few seasons. Having his caphit could cost us one of our young guy when time comes for an extension.

[CalgaryFan1988]

If Richards was a free agent what kind of money would he get?

I don't think the contract is that bad (it is bad, but not an albatross) I think the issue with LA is that they are up against the cap and can't take a bad contract in return.

If you look at Richards like a free agent acquisition. It's not terrible. Especially if they move out a guy like Stajan. He's only 29.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Was just naming off centers, not necessarily the order I'd put them in either. However, Monahan has proven he can play against the best centers and do it decently.

He has done very well considering his age, but he still needs time to development properly. I don't think its a good idea to have him playing against top tier opponents every single night. Having a guy like Richards here to do that would help Monahan a lot.

[Poe969]

Wow, the Richards hate is strong with some of you. The guy isn't nearly as bad as some here are saying.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Buff

No. LA has already paid his salary from the beginning of the season up until the most recent payday... and they paid the previous years too.

I mean the rest of the full salary after that from when they acquire him. Not the entire previous salary that LA already paid.