First of all, I didn't know it was a drug thing all along, I thought initially it was a different kind of issue such as not being willing to follow a conditioning program.

Secondly, if it is true that this is a drug issue, and the Kings have known about it for a significant amount of time, they had a responsibility to address this much sooner. He should have been placed in a rehab program, and if he wasn't willing, then I'm sure the Kings had some recourse to follow such as a suspension. There are league programs for this kind of issue. If that is the case, then the Kings share some culpability here, and should be punished for it.
- MJL

Sounds like the kings have tried to deal with his drug problem. You can't just put someone in rehab. He's got to want to go to rehab. Hopefully, for Richrds, this event will open his eyes and he will get the help he needs.

With what we "know" right now, I agree.

And by "know", I mean "what TMZ and others are reporting".
- johndewar

Honestly, even if Richards gets charged and hauled off to jail, the NHLPA will file a grievance. They can't allow this to pass without getting a clear ruling one way or the other.

If this is allowed to pass without so much as a filing, other teams will try to do it, too. The PA can't allow that precedent to go unchallenged.

With what we "know" right now, I agree.

And by "know", I mean "what TMZ and others are reporting".
- johndewar

First and foremost, if there is an addiction to pain killers from playing Hockey, I don't view that as evil, and I want the guy to get some help and get straightened out. Secondly, if he broke the law, then he should answer for that, but I believe there should be due process involved. I don't see that happening at this point, and it angers me.

The optics for the Kings suck, no two ways about it.
- johndewar

Oh sure, either way they look bad, but they can look bad and pay Richards $22mm or they can look bad and deal with 5 years of minor cap penalties.

Sounds like the kings have tried to deal with his drug problem. You can't just put someone in rehab. He's got to want to go to rehab. Hopefully, for Richrds, this event will open his eyes and he will get the help he needs.
- Dkos

Not sure how it sounds like they have, or what evidence there is that they have. Did they attempt to get him in a rehab program? Did they get the league and the NHLPA involved previously? If he wouldn't go to rehab, did they follow the course dictated by the CBA, such as suspending the player? Did they get his agent involved to help. How exactly did the Kings deal with the problem previously?

I don't think they care.

I wonder how much they've documented on Richards that we don't know about.
- johndewar

Good point...probably a lot if this particular incident was the last straw.

Imho, wife beating is far worse a crime than this incident.

Prescription drugs are abused more than anything else nowadays statistically, especially Oxys and Percs. Just throwing that out there for anyone who doesn't think this is serious.

This very well could explain this man's fall from grace. If you've ever known anyone that abuses prescription drugs consistently enough, you know how debilitating they can be. I really hope if this man has a drug problem, he can get the help he needs and maybe continue his career at some point.

If he's charged with anything soon, he's absolutely (frank)ed. He's already going to have a hard time finding work this summer as is, at least in the NHL anyway.

Good point...probably a lot if this particular incident was the last straw.

Imho, wife beating is far worse a crime than this incident.
- Scoob

I agree.

And I like to make a good party boy joke about Mike Richards as much as the next internet idiot, but oxy is no joke.

I do hope the guy gets some help.

Prescription drugs are abused more than anything else nowadays statistically, especially Oxys and Percs. Just throwing that out there for anyone who doesn't think this is serious.

This very well could explain this man's fall from grace. If you've ever known anyone that abuses prescription drugs consistently enough, you know how debilitating they can be. I really hope if this man has a drug problem, he can get the help he needs and maybe continue his career at some point.

If he's charged with anything soon, he's absolutely (frank)ed. He's already going to have a hard time finding work this summer as is, at least in the NHL that is.
- mochoson

I was making this point earlier.

Just because it wasn't a "street drug" doesn't mean this isn't bad for Richards, either personally or professionally.

Prescription drugs are abused more than anything else nowadays statistically, especially Oxys and Percs. Just throwing that out there for anyone who doesn't think this is serious.

This very well could explain this man's fall from grace. If you've ever known anyone that abuses prescription drugs consistently enough, you know how debilitating they can be. I really hope if this man has a drug problem, he can get the help he needs and maybe continue his career at some point.

If he's charged with anything soon, he's absolutely (frank)ed. He's already going to have a hard time finding work this summer as is, at least in the NHL anyway.
- mochoson

Yea, his playing career might be over, that's for sure. Even if he isn't charged

I was making this point earlier.

Just because it wasn't a "street drug" doesn't mean this isn't bad for Richards, either personally or professionally.
- johndewar

It's awful for both sides. This is something that can kill.

Prescription drugs are abused more than anything else nowadays statistically, especially Oxys and Percs. Just throwing that out there for anyone who doesn't think this is serious.

This very well could explain this man's fall from grace. If you've ever known anyone that abuses prescription drugs consistently enough, you know how debilitating they can be. I really hope if this man has a drug problem, he can get the help he needs and maybe continue his career at some point.

If he's charged with anything soon, he's absolutely (frank)ed. He's already going to have a hard time finding work this summer as is, at least in the NHL that is.
- mochoson

In terms of Richards himself, I hope he gets the help he needs. Carrying a monkey on your back is tiresome work an generally leads to a sad end.

In terms of the deal and money due, I would like to see the Kings take it on the chin, and be forced to deal with the buy out. It's vile to kick somebody when they are down.

I do hope the guy gets some help.
- johndewar

Same

First and foremost, if there is an addiction to pain killers from playing Hockey, I don't view that as evil, and I want the guy to get some help and get straightened out. Secondly, if he broke the law, then he should answer for that, but I believe there should be due process involved. I don't see that happening at this point, and it angers me.
- MJL

I don't know how it works with the border patrol and RCMP and what not.

And yeah....remember all those Derek Boogaard stories? Scary stuff, and I hope Richards gets help.

If I'm the NHLPA, I'm looking into the timeline on this, and I'm going after the LA Kings and putting some heat there, to see what kind of environment they're fostering there.

I don't know how it works with the border patrol and RCMP and what not.

And yeah....remember all those Derek Boogaard stories? Scary stuff, and I hope Richards gets help.
- johndewar

I should clarify, I'm sure there is due process going on with the RCMP. It's the due process on the NHL side of things, that I think is lacking.

Not sure how it sounds like they have, or what evidence there is that they have. Did they attempt to get him in a rehab program? Did they get the league and the NHLPA involved previously? If he wouldn't go to rehab, did they follow the course dictated by the CBA, such as suspending the player? Did they get his agent involved to help. How exactly did the Kings deal with the problem previously?
- MJL

I don't know anymore than you do. I just don't automatically think the King's management are the bad guys here. [/img]

I don't know anymore than you do. I just don't automatically think the King's management are the bad guys here.
- Dkos[/img]

You're right, I don't know for a fact either. I'm just playing devils advocate and looking at the optics. I don't like what's going on, and what's been done.

Voynov allegedly beat his Wife, and was arrested. He was suspended.

Richard was arrested and is being investigated on drug charges. His contract was terminated.

You're right, I don't know for a fact either. I'm just playing devils advocate and looking at the optics. I don't like what's going on, and what's been done.

Voynov allegedly beat his Wife, and was arrested. He was suspended.

Richard was arrested and is being investigated on drug charges. His contract was terminated.
- MJL

I'm sure the King's management is familiar with dealing with player's drug use, addiction, and illegal behavior. I don't think they would terminate a contract without being very confident that they were in the right

e4: richards signing with Arizona for impending Vegas move

.
.
.
.

Too soon?

e4: richards signing with Arizona for impending Vegas move

.
.
.
.

Too soon?
- Tfaehner

no, but there's no way vegas is a relocation. so much more $ for the owners with expansion.

no, but there's no way vegas is a relocation. so much more $ for the owners with expansion.
- hammarby31

Allow the Vegas investors to buy the Coyotes, add two new expansion teams, with the Yotes moving to Vegas

Allow the Vegas investors to buy the Coyotes, add two new expansion teams, with the Yotes moving to Vegas
- Jsaquella

Yeah I don't really get how people are referencing the money thing like it matters. If the NHL is going to expand, their going to get a billion regardless between two teams. The location should be irrelevant.

Honestly, even if Richards gets charged and hauled off to jail, the NHLPA will file a grievance. They can't allow this to pass without getting a clear ruling one way or the other.

If this is allowed to pass without so much as a filing, other teams will try to do it, too. The PA can't allow that precedent to go unchallenged.
- Jsaquella

lets lawyer up.

to the saddles.

Yeah I don't really get how people are referencing the money thing like it matters. If the NHL is going to expand, their going to get a billion regardless between two teams. The location should be irrelevant.
- mochoson

The problem is, there's been so much personal prestige and bullpoop tied up in making Phoenix/Arizona work, Bettman and the NHL have bent over backwards to try to make it viable and it's just a money pit.