Great Read, Pach.

In your last blurg, I wrote that I was open minded to the Sabres claiming Richards.

I wasn't aware of the history with Lombardi you set out, or most importantly, this quote:

“As long as he looked me in the eye and made that promise to an off season commitment, essentially, I have to trust him."

I'm a big "look me in the eye" kinda guy. And I'm worried that busting this guy through the waivers process isn't going to be the kind of motivation that will lead to his gaining whatever character he needs to stand behind the eye-to-eye promise.

PASS. You changed my mind.

his gf is in Winnipeg...perhaps he could find happiness there?
- Michael Pachla

Nobody wears number 10 for the Blue and Gold.

Great Read, Pach.

In your last blurg, I wrote that I was open minded to the Sabres claiming Richards.

I wasn't aware of the history with Lombardi you set out, or most importantly, this quote:

“As long as he looked me in the eye and made that promise to an off season commitment, essentially, I have to trust him."

I'm a big "look me in the eye" kinda guy. And I'm worried that busting this guy through the waivers process isn't going to be the kind of motivation that will lead to his gaining whatever character he needs to stand behind the eye-to-eye promise.

PASS. You changed my mind.
- Der Kaiser

thx, schultzie...kinda changed my mind too (2, two, to)

Thats who i mentioned yesterday, gonna be a bubble team with cap room, them or winnipeg
- rferrone

I figured at least 5 teams that can fit him, Sabres being one but I doubt it.

Nobody wears number 10 for the Blue and Gold.
- SABRES 89

ya think he'd be happy wearing craig ramsay's old number?

ya think he'd be happy wearing craig ramsay's old number?
- Michael Pachla

didn't bother Hawerchuck or Ehrhoff

didn't bother Hawerchuck or Ehrhoff
- SABRES 89

point taken

I figured at least 5 teams that can fit him, Sabres being one but I doubt it.
- SABRES 89

I dont see him enjoying that, to be honest. He needs a change of scenery for sure but not many 29 years olds with 2 cups want to be part of a rebuild. I think if the sabres could get the most out of him it would be great, but that seems hard to do

Any word yet on if he was claimed by anyone?

Yes, Buffalo has to pass Philly in points

30 Minutes and we will know if Mr. Richards is moving to another NHL team.

If not, I am sure the Kings want him off the books, but I dont know how they can do it without giving up a bunch more assets to get it done. Even then, there are only like 3 teams that could even afford to take him on (knowing that he will bottom out in the next few years).

LA is in trouble either way, basically knowing he will retire before the end of that contract, at this rate.

The other question is, even if the Sabres or other bottom dweller (that has $6m in cap room) does Richards even report? If he does not report, does that remove any of the requirements to pay him or the cap restructure issues?

I figured at least 5 teams that can fit him, Sabres being one but I doubt it.
- SABRES 89

Who are the others?

30 Minutes and we will know if Mr. Richards is moving to another NHL team.

If not, I am sure the Kings want him off the books, but I dont know how they can do it without giving up a bunch more assets to get it done. Even then, there are only like 3 teams that could even afford to take him on (knowing that he will bottom out in the next few years).

LA is in trouble either way, basically knowing he will retire before the end of that contract, at this rate.

The other question is, even if the Sabres or other bottom dweller (that has $6m in cap room) does Richards even report? If he does not report, does that remove any of the requirements to pay him or the cap restructure issues?
- Lilroot9

As far as paying him & the cap goes, everything is guaranteed & can not change.
I'd think he'd rather report wherever & play in the nhl still then play in the ahl

30 Minutes and we will know if Mr. Richards is moving to another NHL team.

If not, I am sure the Kings want him off the books, but I dont know how they can do it without giving up a bunch more assets to get it done. Even then, there are only like 3 teams that could even afford to take him on (knowing that he will bottom out in the next few years).

LA is in trouble either way, basically knowing he will retire before the end of that contract, at this rate.

The other question is, even if the Sabres or other bottom dweller (that has $6m in cap room) does Richards even report? If he does not report, does that remove any of the requirements to pay him or the cap restructure issues?
- Lilroot9

Retiring would screw him out of so much money. If he doesn't report, he gets suspended. Either he makes no money or is put on re-entry waivers to be bought out. The next 72 hours can be very telling if he gets sent down instead of claimed.

On top of all of that, the AHL will absorb 925k of his cap salary. The Kings will receive $4,825,000 of dead cap space.

If they could get LA to retain 2m in salary I'd say go for it. He'd be a fine 3rd line center and at 3.75 he wouldn't cause any cap problems in the near future. Be a great leader to mentor for McEichel and all the other young guys you have coming up. Even if he is a booze bag like the rumors state the guy knows what it takes to win.

If they could get LA to retain 2m in salary I'd say go for it. He'd be a fine 3rd line center and at 3.75 he wouldn't cause any cap problems in the near future. Be a great leader to mentor for McEichel and all the other young guys you have coming up. Even if he is a booze bag like the rumors state the guy knows what it takes to win.
- HealthyScratch6

Debatable.

Gotcha, read it wrong
- rferrone

ya think he'd be happy wearing Henrik Tallinder's old number?
- Michael Pachla

Debatable.
- TheSabresTaco

Extremely debateable. They said he has matured some since he left Philly. This is not the same thing as being a good leader.

If they could get LA to retain 2m in salary I'd say go for it. He'd be a fine 3rd line center and at 3.75 he wouldn't cause any cap problems in the near future. Be a great leader to mentor for McEichel and all the other young guys you have coming up. Even if he is a booze bag like the rumors state the guy knows what it takes to win.
- HealthyScratch6

hes not going to be enough to win right now, and i think thats the issue. Gotta be hard for a bottom feeding rebuild to motivate a guy coming off waivers after dropping to the fourth line on a team he recently won two cups with, who are out of the playoffs as of now. A lot of things already making richards not a desirable character. I dont see him coming into buffalo and all of a sudden playing hard. Because why would he?

As far as his cap hit goes & who could fit him, it actually looks like quite a few teams...
If my math is correct, he'll count for about 2.5mil for the rest of the year

http://stats.nhlnumbers.com/teams

Next year is where it gets tricky for some teams BC he'll count the full 5.75mil moving forward

hes not going to be enough to win right now, and i think thats the issue. Gotta be hard for a bottom feeding rebuild to motivate a guy coming off waivers after dropping to the fourth line on a team he recently won two cups with, who are out of the playoffs as of now. A lot of things already making richards not a desirable character. I dont see him coming into buffalo and all of a sudden playing hard. Because why would he?
- rferrone

Well a guy with his track record probably has a bit of an ego. And being sent down to the minors in his prime of his career might be enough motivation for him to try and turn things around. Plus he's signed for 5 more years. If Buffalo lands Mcdavid he may see an opportunity to win another cup before it's up.

As far as his cap hit goes & who could fit him, it actually looks like quite a few teams...
If my math is correct, he'll count for about 2.5mil for the rest of the year

http://stats.nhlnumbers.com/teams

Next year is where it gets tricky for some teams BC he'll count the full 5.75mil moving forward
- jdfitz77

well, yeah. It was the five years remaining everyones concerned about, not the 2 and a half months of this season.

Cmon waiver claim...lets go TM

hes not going to be enough to win right now, and i think thats the issue. Gotta be hard for a bottom feeding rebuild to motivate a guy coming off waivers after dropping to the fourth line on a team he recently won two cups with, who are out of the playoffs as of now. A lot of things already making richards not a desirable character. I dont see him coming into buffalo and all of a sudden playing hard. Because why would he?
- rferrone

This I agree with. I'm indifferent on if they claim him or not, but why would he come here and bust his arse knowing you are going to finish close to, if not 30th.

If they claim him, great. he could be an asset in the future as a 2nd-3rd line center once Buffalo brings up all the prospects.

If they dont, ok. Buffalo avoids the cap hit for the next 5 years.