Mike Richards is just awful. No offensive game anymore.

Dion Phaneuf is far better.
- RogerRoeper

They are different positions, so thats apples and oranges.

Richards has 5 more years. so 3 before a buyout is feasible. If you can get him (and PLUS?!) for Phaneuf's albatross, you gotta do that.

You think if you stuck Richards with Kessel, he wouldn't have an offensive game? You're basing this nonsense on him being 3rd/4th on LA..

Riddle me this: If Tyler Bozak was on the Kings, what line would he be on?

Answer: 1st line of the Monarchs.

You won't be able to get a player of Phaneuf's calibre in UFA for any thing less than what he's making now... he's a top pairing d-man, #1 on a lot of teams... He's probably worth a 1st and a prospect without the Leafs taking back a similar contract for a 4th line C... so with Richards coming back, it had better be a damn good prospect.
- Feeling Glucky?

I keep arguing that. The claims he's a 4-5 million D-Man is laughable. Brooks Orpik got 5.5 million. And yes, he is a good example. Dion was scheduled to become UFA on the exact same day as Orpik. NIskanen got 5.75 million for 7 years based on 1 good season.

Dion is worth 7 million.

Why don't you ever answer my questions? Do you not remember all the media jumping on the "Kessel only scored because of Savard"?

For once, give the guy credit. Stop with the excuses.
- RogerRoeper

No I don't remember that. To be quite honest I've never heard anybody question if kessel can score

No I don't remember that. To be quite honest I've never heard anybody question if kessel can score
- Bieksa#3

It happened non-stop. TSN loved to bring it up. You know, the "Toronto Sports Network"?

They are different positions, so thats apples and oranges.

Richards has 5 more years. so 3 before a buyout is feasible. If you can get him (and PLUS?!) for Phaneuf's albatross, you gotta do that.

You think if you stuck Richards with Kessel, he wouldn't have an offensive game? You're basing this nonsense on him being 3rd/4th on LA..

Riddle me this: If Tyler Bozak was on the Kings, what line would he be on?

Answer: 1st line of the Monarchs.
- TheThrill

Bozak is alright. Not a top liner but alright

I keep arguing that. The claims he's a 4-5 million D-Man is laughable. Brooks Orpik got 5.5 million. And yes, he is a good example. Dion was scheduled to become UFA on the exact same day as Orpik.
- RogerRoeper

Why on earth would you want a player like Phaneuf in Free Agency anyway?

That's just begging to be overpaid. Just develop your own top pairing guys and sign depth in FA.

This is why the Leafs are cap-strapped and losing

Bozak is alright. Not a top liner but alright
- Bieksa#3

I personally think he sucks, but to each their own. Doesn't change the fact that on the Kings, he's lucky to be 4th line C

Bullpoop. He's better than everyone except maybe Kadri.

Bozak (frank)ing sucks, dude. (frank)ING SUCKS
- TheThrill

Richards has half the points Bozak does. He's got less than Holland, who's been injured, and playing bottom-6 for the Leafs.

It's very possible that bringing in Richards would just be to upgrade over Smith.... and he's only up because of injuries. Without injuries, we've got Winnik, Santorelli, and Komarov that can line up as 4th line C.... and they all have more points than Richards. Even Komarov, who's only played 29 games.



The only thing we can hope for is a change of scenery getting something together for Richards... but as it stands he probably wouldn't even earn a spot on a healthy Leafs roster.

Second line centers are worth more than an elite first line winger?
- RogerRoeper

Who said this?

They are different positions, so thats apples and oranges.

Richards has 5 more years. so 3 before a buyout is feasible. If you can get him (and PLUS?!) for Phaneuf's albatross, you gotta do that.

You think if you stuck Richards with Kessel, he wouldn't have an offensive game? You're basing this nonsense on him being 3rd/4th on LA..

Riddle me this: If Tyler Bozak was on the Kings, what line would he be on?

Answer: 1st line of the Monarchs.
- TheThrill

Richards' had a top line role in LA, but his offensive game died, so they keep bumping his minutes back. It isn't because of the role he has. He has that role because of his deteriorating play.

I personally think he sucks, but to each their own. Doesn't change the fact that on the Kings, he's lucky to be 4th line C
- TheThrill

Peter Holland is outscoring Richards. Peter Holland.

Try Judging Richards on his play in 2015'. Not how he looked in 2010'.

Why on earth would you want a player like Phaneuf in Free Agency anyway?

That's just begging to be overpaid. Just develop your own top pairing guys and sign depth in FA.

This is why the Leafs are cap-strapped and losing
- TheThrill

#1 defensemen tend to be important.

If you're talking about a first line center vs a first line winger then yes. But the first line winger means more value than a second line centre.,
- RogerRoeper

Pavelski would be Torontos 1st center the moment he gets traded

Who said this?
- Bieksa#3

The line" Centers are worth more than wingers" is too generic. Is a second line centre worth more than a first line winger (Pavelski vs. Kessel).

#1 defensemen tend to be important.
- Feeling Glucky?

Phaneuf isn't a #1 defenseman though. He's at best a #2 thrust into a #1 role

Pavelski would be Torontos 1st center the moment he gets traded
- znagle

Apparently so would Mike Richards.

Phaneuf isn't a #1 defenseman though. He's at best a #2 thrust into a #1 role
- TheThrill

He is a #1.

So they are paying a 1st and prospect for a salary dump.

Since its not debatable that clarkson is considerably worse then Richards. Would you move 2 1sts to dump clarksons contract
- Bieksa#3

If I was also getting a top pairing d-man(and the Leafs weren't trending towards a top-10 pick), yes, obviously I would trade Clarkson and 2 1sts for a top pairing d-man.

Why on earth would you want a player like Phaneuf in Free Agency anyway?

That's just begging to be overpaid. Just develop your own top pairing guys and sign depth in FA.

This is why the Leafs are cap-strapped and losing
- TheThrill

Because of the 2 examples I just gave you?

Teams are starved for defense. You honestly think Dion wouldn't get signed to a huge deal as a UFA?

The line" Centers are worth more than wingers" is too generic. Is a second line centre worth more than a first line winger (Pavelski vs. Kessel).
- RogerRoeper

Centers are worth more. Nobody said a 2nd line center is worth more then a 1st line winger, did they.

Peter Holland is outscoring Richards. Peter Holland.
- RogerRoeper

Sorry but point comparisons go out the window when talking about Kings players. I'm not saying Richards will be a rejuvenated player on another team and score 25g but you can't always base a player on points alone.

I don't like Keenan but he had a very good NHL coaching career and won a cup!
- Champ

So did Carlyle, and look were it got him.

Peter Holland is outscoring Richards. Peter Holland.
- RogerRoeper

You are seriously overestimating the quality of the Leafs centers.

Centers are worth more. Nobody said a 2nd line center is worth more then a 1st line winger, did they.
- Bieksa#3

The comment was used in regards to a Kessel/Pavelski swap.

He is a #1.
- RogerRoeper

All of your credibility (if you had any) is gone with this statement.

I'm not going to continue to debate matters with you, since you are so clearly jaded