I want no part in Eriksson...

He is another concussion away from Marc Savard territory...

One of those other first round picks will be dealt IMO for a proven top 6 vet.

Move Coho's contract take on Richards contract for a next to nothing deal and move for another vet.

Once Reinhart and McEichel show they can carry the load this team has some real forward depth and no I'm not talking 4th line depth real top 6 depth.
- Stripes77

Woof.

This is where we want it both ways. I see people female dogging every day about how nobody cares. This guy wears his heart on his sleeve and answers every question and we rag on him for it. He could easily slip out the door after every game like so many others do.
- Slump Buster

I mentioned something about this earlier. I think he's a great personality to have on this team when things finally start clicking. He wants to win so badly. He'll be good to have around the kids for a few years. Just have to try and get him through this tough stretch.

I think he's frustrated because he missed the majority of the games during the winning streak, so he's had a pretty rough year so far in terms of getting some W's under his belt.

A good write up from Spector regarding Mike Richards and his virtually zero worth as his contract stands.

http://spectorshockey.net...-wont-help-mike-richards/
- TheSabresTaco

Remember when this was said about Luongo's contract? He seems to be doing just fine and thriving in a different environment. I know it's been said before that Sutter is the type of coach that can start to wear on players. Maybe Richards has just gotten to the point where he's tuned him out.

I would be willing to bet that Richards ends up producing just fine in a different environment.

Remember when this was said about Luongo's contract? He seems to be doing just fine and thriving in a different environment. I know it's been said before that Sutter is the type of coach that can start to wear on players. Maybe Richards has just gotten to the point where he's tuned him out.

I would be willing to bet that Richards ends up producing just fine in a different environment.
- HonkFortheGoose

If Richards didn't have the years left on his contract, he would be on another team. Guy is a gamer with 2 cups and people think he's washed up is a joke.

Remember when this was said about Luongo's contract? He seems to be doing just fine and thriving in a different environment. I know it's been said before that Sutter is the type of coach that can start to wear on players. Maybe Richards has just gotten to the point where he's tuned him out.

I would be willing to bet that Richards ends up producing just fine in a different environment.
- HonkFortheGoose

I think the difference is luongo was still performing at a high level during his final years in vancouver. Even though the contract was awful everyone outside of vancouver who didn't have a blind hatred for him realized he was still playing as a #1 goalie.

Richards production has fallen dramatically and from what little i've seen of him it looks like he's lost some of his foot speed. I agree he could very well go to another team and start producing like an nhler again but would that justify taking that contract? Just to see him perform as a borderline 2nd line player?

Remember when this was said about Luongo's contract? He seems to be doing just fine and thriving in a different environment. I know it's been said before that Sutter is the type of coach that can start to wear on players. Maybe Richards has just gotten to the point where he's tuned him out.

I would be willing to bet that Richards ends up producing just fine in a different environment.
- HonkFortheGoose

I don't think it was actually said about Luongo's contract at all. He was, and is, still viewed as a pretty good goalie, they just didn't want him for a billion years. He's a hell of a lot better asset than Mike Richards.

I think the difference is luongo was still performing at a high level during his final years in vancouver. Even though the contract was awful everyone outside of vancouver who didn't have a blind hatred for him realized he was still playing as a #1 goalie.

Richards production has fallen dramatically and from what little i've seen of him it looks like he's lost some of his foot speed. I agree he could very well go to another team and start producing like an nhler again but would that justify taking that contract? Just to see him perform as a borderline 2nd line player?
- Sabresfan-365

Some people just collapse before they're supposed to. Dany Heatley is one such guy. So is Mike Richards. I'd take him for no more than 2 years. After that, the gamble is asinine. He's busted. He's in decline, and a guy playing the way he plays now a days, I just don't see him ever sniffing a top 6 line on an NHL team ever again.

Remember when this was said about Luongo's contract? He seems to be doing just fine and thriving in a different environment. I know it's been said before that Sutter is the type of coach that can start to wear on players. Maybe Richards has just gotten to the point where he's tuned him out.

I would be willing to bet that Richards ends up producing just fine in a different environment.
- HonkFortheGoose

I don't know how you could possibly come to that conclusion. Also, what if you're wrong? I don't know how you could speculate that a guy that has been trending down for years and is past the "best by" date could possibly be what he was 5+ years ago. That is absolute madness.

You, the Clown, and I always stuck up for him.
- dadeadhead

Sekera was the Sabres best Dman and I got ripped for sticking up for him here and on another popular Sabres board.

Some people just collapse before they're supposed to. Dany Heatley is one such guy. So is Mike Richards. I'd take him for no more than 2 years. After that, the gamble is asinine.
- TheSabresTaco

Heatly is an awesome comparison. I can't think of a single guy who started sliding in his late 20's for several years magically turned it around. There is a reason why these guys peak statistically in their mid 20's.

Some people just collapse before they're supposed to. Dany Heatley is one such guy. So is Mike Richards. I'd take him for no more than 2 years. After that, the gamble is asinine.
- TheSabresTaco

He'd probably be alright in the "old nhl". LA should've bought him out last year when they had the chance, for his sake.

Sekera was the Sabres best Dman and I got ripped for sticking up for him here and on another popular Sabres board.
- GilPerreault11

Absolutely. That said, I wouldn't pay him 5 - 6 mill a year as I think he is a 3-4 guys on a good team.

I don't know how you could possibly come to that conclusion. Also, what if you're wrong? I don't know how you could speculate that a guy that has been trending down for years and is past the "best by" date could possibly be what he was 5+ years ago. That is absolute madness.
- Slump Buster

You, me and Spector seem to agree.

I think the difference is luongo was still performing at a high level during his final years in vancouver. Even though the contract was awful everyone outside of vancouver who didn't have a blind hatred for him realized he was still playing as a #1 goalie.

Richards production has fallen dramatically and from what little i've seen of him it looks like he's lost some of his foot speed. I agree he could very well go to another team and start producing like an nhler again but would that justify taking that contract? Just to see him perform as a borderline 2nd line player?
- Sabresfan-365

A) The Kings don't score goals, they play 2-1 games
B) when kids like Toffoli and Pearson move up the ladder, Richards got shuffled down and virtually no PP time
C) Richards anchored that third line last season and was on the ice more often then not when the Kings had to hold a lead in the playoffs last season.

It's more a situation where Kids are thriving and Richards is no longer a descent fit for the kings system.

The Gaborik trade and sign was the end of the line for Richards in LA but that doesn't mean he can't perform at a high level (top 2 line) for the next 5 years

I'd rather pay Richards 5 plus at 34 then Hossa 5 plus at 42

Sekera was the Sabres best Dman and I got ripped for sticking up for him here and on another popular Sabres board.
- GilPerreault11

Really liked him during that little miracle run we had in 2011 (16-4-4 to make the playoffs)

Sekera was the Sabres best Dman and I got ripped for sticking up for him here and on another popular Sabres board.
- GilPerreault11

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Absolutely. That said, I wouldn't pay him 5 - 6 mill a year as I think he is a 3-4 guys on a good team.
- Slump Buster

Myer's agent disagrees

I agree in tier 2 i only like strome and he seems more of a solid all around guy than a superstar which Id want in the top 5. Still a big Zacha fan
- hubie

Junior will hate this, but I believe all of Zacha, Werenski, Rantanen, Barzal, and Kylington will have a bigger impact on a team than either Marner or Crouse.

If they can get one of the top 2 and somehow get back into the range with their other two firsts to take one of Zacha, Werenski, Rantanen, Barzal, or Kylington, they will have had a great first round of the draft.

Some people just collapse before they're supposed to. Dany Heatley is one such guy. So is Mike Richards. I'd take him for no more than 2 years. After that, the gamble is asinine. He's busted. He's in decline, and a guy playing the way he plays now a days, I just don't see him ever sniffing a top 6 line on an NHL team ever again.
- TheSabresTaco

I disagree. I think part of it is he's not being utilized the way he used to be. The kids have come in and taken over, which isn't a knock against him, but they're younger and hungrier than he is.

That pushed him down the lineup and he's now playing with guys like Dwight King. That would be like bringing him here to play with Kaleta. You can't expect much production out of a guy that's put in that kind of situation.

I think he still has plenty to offer to a team, just needs to be put in the right situation to succeed. That being said, I agree with the part about the length of his contract. That being said, I still think he can be moved. But probably not until the offseason.

Absolutely. That said, I wouldn't pay him 5 - 6 mill a year as I think he is a 3-4 guys on a good team.
- Slump Buster

I agree, he is 3-4 now and not worth 5-6 mil for 5 years now

He'd probably be alright in the "old nhl". LA should've bought him out last year when they had the chance, for his sake.
- Sabresfan-365

I do agree to you to a point, he'd still be in LA, or maybe even another NHL team, in the old NHL. I do also see that he could barely be productive in 2, 3 or 4th line minutes. He's a broken down mule, and it's too bad because he's probably 3-4 years premature. Some guys can play for a long time playing the way Richards does. Some can't. And he simply can't.

I don't know how you could possibly come to that conclusion. Also, what if you're wrong? I don't know how you could speculate that a guy that has been trending down for years and is past the "best by" date could possibly be what he was 5+ years ago. That is absolute madness.
- Slump Buster

Wow. Thank you for telling me my opinion is wrong. You're entitled to feel different, but to tell me that mine is "absolute madness" is a bit unnecessary.

I disagree. I think part of it is he's not being utilized the way he used to be. The kids have come in and taken over, which isn't a knock against him, but they're younger and hungrier than he is.

That pushed him down the lineup and he's now playing with guys like Dwight King. That would be like bringing him here to play with Kaleta. You can't expect much production out of a guy that's put in that kind of situation.

I think he still has plenty to offer to a team, just needs to be put in the right situation to succeed. That being said, I agree with the part about the length of his contract. That being said, I still think he can be moved. But probably not until the offseason.
- HonkFortheGoose

As I do see poor linemates as an excuse for production, the fact is LA didn't trust him even as a checking line forward to play a hardnosed defensive style game. They scratched him for a reason.

I do agree to you to a point, he'd still be in LA, or maybe even another NHL team, in the old NHL. I do also see that he could barely be productive in 2, 3 or 4th line minutes. He's a broken down mule, and it's too bad because he's probably 3-4 years premature. Some guys can play for a long time playing the way Richards does. Some can't. And he simply can't.
- TheSabresTaco

he put up 41 points last season with a descent pk game and 3 GWG goals

good numbers for a second line player in the kings system IMO

As I do see poor linemates as an excuse for production, the fact is LA didn't trust him even as a checking line forward to play a hardnosed defensive style game. They scratched him for a reason.
- TheSabresTaco

Which to me says that there's more to it than we know. Because while he's been productive offensively during his career, he's always been a huge pain in the ass to play against because that's exactly the type of game he's played for the duration of his career.

I LOVED Richards, especially back in his Philly days. I just hated that he played for Philly. The trade to LA was awesome for me because I didn't have to feel guilty about liking him.