Gaborik has had an amazing playoff. He is a great player, but you can't sign him based on that. Once he gets his big deal he'll begin to have injury issues and taking nights off like he has always had. He's been a great addition for the short term, but shouldn't be kept for the long term. I'm surprised you aren't against LA signing him when he is 32? You know what you get with Richards. It's not an ideal contract. But then again, what is in this day in age?
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i kind of laughed at that too. he has no issues at having richards at 6 mil for 6 years, at 32, but doesn't want spezza at 7 years for 7 mil, at 31.

i wouldn't put richards ahead of turris or zibby on the depth chart.

yes, he brings some intangibles and a solid 2-way game..............but zibby and turris both bring those same intangibles, as well as being more gifted offensively, and half teh price.

at this point in his career, i would say that mike richards is essentially a slightly better version of zach smith

ottawa doesn't want to pay 7 mil for a top line center, so it would be a hard sell to convince the fans that they want to bring in a 6 mil 3rd line center.
- sensarmy_11

He definitely won't work here in Ottawa. Mainly for the contract reasons, but come on. He's ten times the player Zach Smith is. Turris may be ahead of him right now, but Zibby isn't there yet, could very well be soon though.

i wouldn't put richards ahead of turris or zibby on the depth chart.

yes, he brings some intangibles and a solid 2-way game..............but zibby and turris both bring those same intangibles, as well as being more gifted offensively, and half teh price.

at this point in his career, i would say that mike richards is essentially a slightly better version of zach smith

ottawa doesn't want to pay 7 mil for a top line center, so it would be a hard sell to convince the fans that they want to bring in a 6 mil 3rd line center.
- sensarmy_11

First, I think you would get him for a nominal return (3rd round pick). But sometimes numbers can distort value. For example, in the Kings line up

Kopitar 21 minutes
Carter. 19 minutes
Richards 17 minutes
Still. 16 minutes

Richards did okay with 41 points on 11 goals and 30 assists.

He still has great ice presence. He is a winner and Ottawa is a far harder team to play against with a guy like Richards in the line up compared with Spezza.

He definitely won't work here in Ottawa. Mainly for the contract reasons, but come one. He's ten times the player Zach Smith is. Turris may be ahead of him right now, but Zibby isn't there yet, could very well be soon though.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

i think zibby is definitely there right now. he played 15 less games, on a VASTLY inferior team, usually on the 4th line, and despite that, he scored more goals and almost as many pts, while playing a 200 foot game that was probably just as good as richards.

yes, the zach smith comment was a bit of an exaggeration, but at this point, i'd say he's closer to zach smith, then he is to being a legit top six forward (he hasn't been one of those since he got to LA).

maybe it's the system in LA, or maybe he's just lost that offensive touch, but i don't think mike richards is a top six forward on most teams in this league. certainly in a few, but that's more due to their lack of depth, then his ability.

First, I think you would get him for a nominal return (3rd round pick). But sometimes numbers can distort value. For example, in the Kings line up

Kopitar 21 minutes
Carter. 19 minutes
Richards 17 minutes
Still. 16 minutes

Richards did okay with 41 points on 11 goals and 30 assists.

He still has great ice presence. He is a winner and Ottawa is a far harder team to play against with a guy like Richards in the line up compared with Spezza.
- spatso

Iam thinking we may have that exact type of center ,coming in the not so distant future.

First, I think you would get him for a nominal return (3rd round pick). But sometimes numbers can distort value. For example, in the Kings line up

Kopitar 21 minutes
Carter. 19 minutes
Richards 17 minutes
Still. 16 minutes

Richards did okay with 41 points on 11 goals and 30 assists.

He still has great ice presence. He is a winner and Ottawa is a far harder team to play against with a guy like Richards in the line up compared with Spezza.
- spatso

I hate the "he's a winner" argument. he's won 2 cups (or it will be two once this series ends) on stacked teams, while playing a limited role. he's played on teams that have won, he's not a "winner". when he was the go to guy in philly, they never won.

as for being hard to play against.....well the knock on spezza is that he's bad defesively and has a terrible +/-..........well richards somehow managed to be a -6 (the only regular with a - rating) on a team that was +30. i know +/- isn't the most telling stat, but when he's so far back of everyone else, it's got to say something.

as a sens fan, i have ZERO interest in bringing richards to ottawa.

He definitely won't work here in Ottawa. Mainly for the contract reasons, but come on. He's ten times the player Zach Smith is. Turris may be ahead of him right now, but Zibby isn't there yet, could very well be soon though.
- Gord_Wilson_2.0

I doubt he is traded, more likely bought out if he moves. If he becomes a UFA, the Sens will be interested, but they won't be alone.

i kind of laughed at that too. he has no issues at having richards at 6 mil for 6 years, at 32, but doesn't want spezza at 7 years for 7 mil, at 31.
- sensarmy_11

?

Is Richards not 28 or 29? I think he was talking about Gaborek being 32.

But your point is valid. I do oppose almost every signing of big, long term contracts with high performance players that are over the age of 30. I am a huge believer in peak performance theory. Players who hit their best year around age 25-27 and begin to decline and then see their game drop off rapidly. There are exceptions (St. Louis) but, the pattern is pretty consistent and predictable. Players with a larger frame (Nash) seem to drop off most quickly.

A guy like Mike Richards is far more valuable than his on ice offensive production. He knows how to win. He is what Sens fan will be lucky to have if Lazar evolves as we hope he does.

I doubt he is traded, more likely bought out if he moves. If he becomes a UFA, the Sens will be interested, but they won't be alone.
- Cup 06

If he is a UFA, then I'd be super interested. But like you say, probably 28 other teams will be as well.

?

Is Richards not 28 or 29? I think he was talking about Gaborek being 32.

But your point is valid. I do oppose almost every signing of big, long term contracts with high performance players that are over the age of 30. I am a huge believer in peak performance theory. Players who hit their best year around age 25-27 and begin to decline and then see their game drop off rapidly. There are exceptions (St. Louis) but, the pattern is pretty consistent and predictable. Players with a larger frame (Nash) seem to drop off most quickly.

A guy like Mike Richards is far more valuable than his on ice offensive production. He knows how to win. He is what Sens fan will be lucky to have if Lazar evolves as we hope he does.
- spatso

Iam not sure if Lazar will ever score as much as Richards has in the past ,but a 20/20 guy that gives it all for his team,is reasonable to expect out of this kid

I doubt he is traded, more likely bought out if he moves. If he becomes a UFA, the Sens will be interested, but they won't be alone.
- Cup 06

I so hated the idea of Nash being made available for Zibanejad, Lehner and a 1st.

If he was a UFA and the price was under $3.5m for a two or 3 year deal, maybe. Nash is the next LaCavalier. Big frame, he has already lost a step from his speed. Each year the fall off in his game will become greater.

I so hated the idea of Nash being made available for Zibanejad, Lehner and a 1st.

If he was a UFA and the price was under $3.5m for a two or 3 year deal, maybe. Nash is the next LaCavalier. Big frame, he has already lost a step from his speed. Each year the fall off in his game will become greater.
- spatso

Yeah iam not so sure anymore, if that was a speculated offer leaked to the media.To drive up price,or if we really offered that tbh

Interesting discussion. If everything were equal some of you prefer Spezza, some prefer Nash. I would take Mike Richards over either of them.

?

Is Richards not 28 or 29? I think he was talking about Gaborek being 32.

But your point is valid. I do oppose almost every signing of big, long term contracts with high performance players that are over the age of 30. I am a huge believer in peak performance theory. Players who hit their best year around age 25-27 and begin to decline and then see their game drop off rapidly. There are exceptions (St. Louis) but, the pattern is pretty consistent and predictable. Players with a larger frame (Nash) seem to drop off most quickly.

A guy like Mike Richards is far more valuable than his on ice offensive production. He knows how to win. He is what Sens fan will be lucky to have if Lazar evolves as we hope he does.
- spatso

my bad, he is 29. my point stands though. spezza is worth FAR MORE than richards, even if you don't take salary into consideration.

so if you're comfortable with richards at 6 mil for 6 years, then you should be dancing in streets if you get spezza at 7 for 7

Interesting discussion. If everything were equal some of you prefer Spezza, some prefer Nash. I would take Mike Richards over either of them.
- spatso

i would take mike richards at like 3 mil.............but if, with all their contracts being what they are, you'd take richards over spezza, then you're insane.

Interesting discussion. If everything were equal some of you prefer Spezza, some prefer Nash. I would take Mike Richards over either of them.
- spatso

The Nash stuff is pointless to talk about really. I'm a fan of Nash. But we have Bobby Ryan who is younger and should be a perennial 35+ goal guy when healthy.

I think Spezza has valuable skills to offer any team. Puck distributing, face off skills, and stick handling ability like his don't simply grow on trees. I like Mike Richards a lot, but we have "Richards" in this organization like Zibby and Lazar (Turris is less physical, but he is also there) coming up. I still wouldn't mind signing him to a reasonable deal, but highly doubt that happens. Let's not forget he likes his party life style.

i would take mike richards at like 3 mil.............but if, with all their contracts being what they are, you'd take richards over spezza, then you're insane.
- sensarmy_11

Mike Richards expects to win. He was won a Memorial Cup, he captained a WJC gold medal winner. He has won the Holy Grail of hockey. Once a big man (like Spezza or Nash) see their game begin to fall off the drop is precipitous. The crash is dramatic. The Rangers have gone to being concerned about Nash's game falling off to our starting to see open speculation about needing to buy him out. Spezza game is in decline. The diminution of his skills will accelerate.

Mike Richards expects to win. He was won a Memorial Cup, he captained a WJC gold medal winner. He has won the Holy Grail of hockey. Once a big man (like Spezza or Nash) see their game begin to fall off the drop is precipitous. The crash is dramatic. The Rangers have gone to being concerned about Nash's game falling off to our starting to see open speculation about needing to buy him out. Spezza game is in decline. The diminution of his skills will accelerate.
- spatso

Mike Richards is a good player but his contract is a bad one. Also, I think LA will buy him out for fear of the cap recapture penalties.

Anyway, the Sens should offer hima deal at 3 years at 3M per and have him be our 3rd line C (and trade Smith or move Smith to the 4th line C position)

Turris, Zibanejad, Richards, Smith that's a good lineup down the middle.

Mike Richards is a good player but his contract is a bad one. Also, I think LA will buy him out for fear of the cap recapture penalties.

Anyway, the Sens should offer hima deal at 3 years at 3M per and have him be our 3rd line C (and trade Smith or move Smith to the 4th line C position)

Turris, Zibanejad, Richards, Smith that's a good lineup down the middle.
- riceroni

3 years then Lazar takes Richards spot i likey

I so hated the idea of Nash being made available for Zibanejad, Lehner and a 1st.

If he was a UFA and the price was under $3.5m for a two or 3 year deal, maybe. Nash is the next LaCavalier. Big frame, he has already lost a step from his speed. Each year the fall off in his game will become greater.
- spatso

OMG could you imagine how bad that would have turned out if it had gone through......

Mike Richards expects to win. He was won a Memorial Cup, he captained a WJC gold medal winner. He has won the Holy Grail of hockey. Once a big man (like Spezza or Nash) see their game begin to fall off the drop is precipitous. The crash is dramatic. The Rangers have gone to being concerned about Nash's game falling off to our starting to see open speculation about needing to buy him out. Spezza game is in decline. The diminution of his skills will accelerate.
- spatso

you talk about how great richards is, and how spezza and nash are declining.........but completely ignore the fact that richards has gone from a 30 goal/80 pt player, to a 10 goal/40 pt player.........and has been outscored by both spezza and nash pretty much every year.

richards game has fallen as much, if not more, than either spezza or nash.

Mike Richards is a good player but his contract is a bad one. Also, I think LA will buy him out for fear of the cap recapture penalties.

Anyway, the Sens should offer hima deal at 3 years at 3M per and have him be our 3rd line C (and trade Smith or move Smith to the 4th line C position)

Turris, Zibanejad, Richards, Smith that's a good lineup down the middle.
- riceroni

This is ridiculous - David clarkson got nearly 6 million per year, you don't think someone is going to pay more than 3 million for Mike Richards with his resume?

Give me a break, guys. Pull your heads out of your asses and get realistic when you're telling our GM what he should do...

you talk about how great richards is, and how spezza and nash are declining.........but completely ignore the fact that richards has gone from a 30 goal/80 pt player, to a 10 goal/40 pt player.........and has been outscored by both spezza and nash pretty much every year.

richards game has fallen as much, if not more, than either spezza or nash.
- sensarmy_11

Exactly. Richards decline has been way steeper, but people still love him because of winner's bias.

"But his team won, so he must be better"

Micheal Handzus has been a good 3LC for the hawks last couple years when they've been dominant, wanna sign him too?

Exactly. Richards decline has been way steeper, but people still love him because of winner's bias.

"But his team won, so he must be better"

Micheal Handzus has been a good 3LC for the hawks last couple years when they've been dominant, wanna sign him too?
- TommyDeVito

obviously not.....he didn't win a memorial cup or world jr 15 years ago, so he's clearly not a winner.


angelo esposito won a world jr, and memorial cup, and he comes from a family of "winners".....we should offer him a contract too..............

you talk about how great richards is, and how spezza and nash are declining.........but completely ignore the fact that richards has gone from a 30 goal/80 pt player, to a 10 goal/40 pt player.........and has been outscored by both spezza and nash pretty much every year.

richards game has fallen as much, if not more, than either spezza or nash.
- sensarmy_11

The dropoff started immediately after leaving Philadelphia, and he was only 26. This isn't a case of a player breaking down. This is a case of a player running into two things:

1) A more defensively responsible system, and hence a more defensively oriented role.

2) His position in playing behind Kopitar and Carter. He's their 3rd line C by default. A solid 2C on most teams. And last year, he was on pace for 55pts, which is very good production for a 2C.

If Ottawa did get him and slotted him in at 3C, expect 40pts. If he gets 2C minutes and 2C linemates, then expect 60pts. And that number is probably better than what you'd get from Zibanejad at this point.

All that being said, doubt he'll be coming to Ottawa. I don't doubt for a second that he'll be leaving the Kings, and probably via buyout, but someone else will pay him more than Ottawa would.