same issue in philly with vinny (although he did have 20 goals this season and healed from a broken back). he's been a lead anchor on the second line, and seemingly better on the 4th. you don't want to be paying your 4th line center 5+million...but if his play isn't warranting a higher slot, you gotta' leave him there and let him play his way out.
- hammarby31

Agreed 110%

He is partying up ,just like in Philly.Him and Carter were doing lines in clubs

He is partying up ,just like in Philly.Him and Carter were doing lines in clubs
- Hank-Of-America

Most people grow up in life. Not sure if you are aware of this phenomenon

Edmonton will take him
- OilerFan16

I'm not sure I would make the trade if it was for Taylor Hall even though LA needs a LW like him
Hopefully Pearson will do the job or Zykov in a couple years!

You are correct. Richards should be playing the 2C. Worrying about Thornton means you are letting the Sharks dictate the game and who YOU want to play. Richards cannot be glued to the lack of talent 4th liners. If you want to win, these SHOULD be the lines

Gaborik-Kopitar-Toffoli
Pearson-Richards-Carter
Brown-Stoll-Williams
King-Vey-Lewis

11 of those 12 players are skilled offensively.

Nolan, Clifford, Greene or Muzzin

Against a skilled team like the Sharks, especially if Quick is not sharp, you must counter with offense. Sutter will never do it in a thousand years. I don't like our chances if he does not adjust. We'll see.
- Regulate

My buddies and I said the exact same thing last night. Couldn't agree more.
Brown-Stoll-Williams was our 2nd line in 2010 and parts of 2011.
Sutter has used Gaborik-Kopitar-Toffolli scrambled together in 3 stretches of games this season. They combined for 3 goals as a result. Gaborik's first as a Kings and 2 by Kopi.....

I was disappointed with the D really.... Regehr, Mitchell and Muzzin did not look very good at all. I am with Jason let MR center the 2nd line and sink or swim with him. If you don't believe in him why give him the "A"?

If you're going to buy him out it has to be this year. This will be the last time you can use a compliance buyout without taking a hit. I think Carter will be fine without Richards. Problem with Richards is I feel he peaked early in Philly, Holmgren realized this and got good value for him while his value was still high. Obviously people will only remember that the Kings won a cup that year but that was expected, they were stacked.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

Were stacked? Its essentially the same team. Minus one Dman.

I'm not sure I would make the trade if it was for Taylor Hall even though LA needs a LW like him
Hopefully Pearson will do the job or Zykov in a couple years!
- LA_Kings6720

You wouldn't trade Mike Richards for Taylor Hall??? Oooookay there Chief

Simple. You scratch him. He sucks. He's slow. He's not physical. He can't stay on his feet. He can't make a pass. You scratch him or put him back on the 4th line with Lewis and Clifford where he actually had some production.

To those of you worried about Carters attitude, you've got to be crazy to think that Carter and the rest of the team doesn't see how terrible Richards is as a player. Do you really think that anyone wants to be on a line with him?

It sucks but he is not the player that he was in Philly. It is what it is. He just sucks.

You wouldn't trade Mike Richards for Taylor Hall??? Oooookay there Chief
- Jeropotato

IMO no and I love Hall. I've been waiting for a replacement for robitaille since his retirement and I've said hall would be the only guy I'd want for LA but Richards+ may not be worth it.
Again this is my opinion.
Also I don't think edm makes the deal.

You wouldn't trade Mike Richards for Taylor Hall??? Oooookay there Chief
- Jeropotato

I would and most would. Richards decline vs. Taylor Hall.... I love Richards and what he has done for this organization but common'. Taylor Hall is the Oilers best player and might be the best young LW in the league, would be hands down but theres this kid named Nishushkin in Dallas.

I still think Richie can turn it on though.... Go Kings Go....... Il be at game 3 hopefully we can tie it up before then.

IMO no and I love Hall. I've been waiting for a replacement for robitaille since his retirement and I've said hall would be the only guy I'd want for LA but Richards+ may not be worth it.
Again this is my opinion.
Also I don't think edm makes the deal.
- LA_Kings6720

Ok, now it makes sense. At first I thought you meant you wouldn't want Hall for Richards straight up. That's a trade any Kings fan would make in a split second. I agree though that it would cost the Kings way more than just Richards, and probably wouldn't be worth it for either team.

Most people grow up in life. Not sure if you are aware of this phenomenon
- LA_Kings6720

Most people do.Not him

A bad year can happen to any player. Don't get rid of a player after one bad year.
- LA_Kings6720

This, and add Brown into that as well.

The only thing that worries me is for us to be successful in the playoffs, we really need both of these guys to be effective.

He is partying up ,just like in Philly.Him and Carter were doing lines in clubs
- Hank-Of-America

These claims were never confirmed by anyone. Just FYI. Do not state them as established fact.

The Kings are just way too loaded up front to retain Richards. I like the guy a lot, but I don't see a huge space (especially with that cap hit) for the guy going forward. As long as Carter doesn't freak out about it, it might be trade time in the off-season.

Ironically, CBJ might be the perfect fit for him. Hard working young team that could use a vet like Richards, and he definitely fits their style of play. Wouldn't that be a weird...

The Kings are just way too loaded up front to retain Richards. I like the guy a lot, but I don't see a huge space (especially with that cap hit) for the guy going forward. As long as Carter doesn't freak out about it, it might be trade time in the off-season.

Ironically, CBJ might be the perfect fit for him. Hard working young team that could use a vet like Richards, and he definitely fits their style of play. Wouldn't that be a weird...
- OzBolts

Where does Richards fit in, in CBJ behind Johansen, Duby and Anisimov? Richards will be back in LA. He will get another year. If he doesnt get it together than he gets traded.

Most people grow up in life. Not sure if you are aware of this phenomenon
- LA_Kings6720

clearly they havent if theyre still partying lol!

These claims were never confirmed by anyone. Just FYI. Do not state them as established fact.
- Jason_Lewis

lol the pics say otherwise

IMO no and I love Hall. I've been waiting for a replacement for robitaille since his retirement and I've said hall would be the only guy I'd want for LA but Richards+ may not be worth it.
Again this is my opinion.
Also I don't think edm makes the deal.
- LA_Kings6720

No poop Edmonton doesn't make that deal.

The Kings are just way too loaded up front to retain Richards. I like the guy a lot, but I don't see a huge space (especially with that cap hit) for the guy going forward. As long as Carter doesn't freak out about it, it might be trade time in the off-season.

Ironically, CBJ might be the perfect fit for him. Hard working young team that could use a vet like Richards, and he definitely fits their style of play. Wouldn't that be a weird...
- OzBolts

Kinda, but he is of a similar mould to Anisimov, Dubinski and RJ....solid 3rd liners not out of place on a 2nd line.

These claims were never confirmed by anyone. Just FYI. Do not state them as established fact.
- Jason_Lewis

clearly they haven if theyre still partying lol!
- 2Real

Yeah I'm sure no 20somthing y/o pro players party. Just mike Richards Get real buddy

Yeah I'm sure no 20somthing y/o pro players party. Just mike Richards Get real buddy
- LA_Kings6720

enjoy your 4th line richards and losing to the sharks

enjoy your 4th line richards and losing to the sharks
- 2Real

As an outsider to this convo...let me interject.

The Kings > The Flyers

As an outsider to this convo...let me interject.

The Kings > The Flyers
- Jeropotato

uh huh esp since the queens are losing 4-2 right now