Let's Go Blues

Any interest? At what price?

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nhl/story/_ ... s-contract

Dude still had 51 points last year (20 goals, 31 assists). He's a Conn Smythe winner. We're cutting bait with Derek Roy and Morrow, why not use some of that money on Richards? In terms of price, I'd be okay with 3-3.5 mil if he'll take it.

No disrespect to the player, but this is exactly the kind of asshat we sign and then complain about all season long. We got several guys that fill Richard's role, and what we need is a #1 playmaking center - which he is clearly not.

I am scared to see this buyout, because I fear this will be some heralded off-season acquisition and used to cover up the fact that we still can't score goals with the likes of LA or CHI.

He's a nice piece for some other team... but doesn't fit with ours at this point. This is Ott with better hands - a player in decline who has more reputation than productivity. Please no more washed out vets with "grit."

dmiles2186 wrote:Dude still had 51 points last year (20 goals, 31 assists). He's a Conn Smythe winner. We're cutting bait with Derek Roy and Morrow, why not use some of that money on Richards? In terms of price, I'd be okay with 3-3.5 mil if he'll take it.

I'd be fine doing it at that price. He clearly has (or had) tremendous upside. My big concern is that this is his last 5 years of production:

Year G P
09-10 80 91
10-11 72 70
11-12 82 66
12-13 46 34
13-14 82 51

He's 34 now, so I don't think he's likely to go too far in the opposite direction. He's dropped from 1.14 P/G i 09-10 to .62 P/G 13-14. I could see him rebounding some, but days of him being a point per game player are gone I think. So, for me, it solely depends on price. If other teams get into a bidding war over him, I'd pass. If he wants to come here relatively cheap, I don't mind taking a shot on him. He could probably do some damage on the 3rd line.

not_a_wings_fan wrote:No disrespect to the player, but this is exactly the kind of asshat we sign and then complain about all season long. We got several guys that fill Richard's role, and what we need is a #1 playmaking center - which he is clearly not.

I am scared to see this buyout, because I fear this will be some heralded off-season acquisition and used to cover up the fact that we still can't score goals with the likes of LA or CHI.

He's a nice piece for some other team... but doesn't fit with ours at this point. This is Ott with better hands - a player in decline who has more reputation than productivity. Please no more washed out vets with "grit."

I'm confused. I've never known Brad Richards to ever add 'grit.' Also, comparing him to Ott, who has never had a 50 point season, is a bit puzzling. I get that Richards is over the hill. He's 34. But as a veteran forward who can chip in offense, and my hope is that he'll be cheaper than other veteran help. Richards isn't a #1 C, but that doesn't mean signing Richards will eliminate the possibility of picking someone up. The bottom half of our forwards is...not pretty. I'm okay adding some firepower with Richards.

dmiles2186 wrote:

not_a_wings_fan wrote:No disrespect to the player, but this is exactly the kind of asshat we sign and then complain about all season long. We got several guys that fill Richard's role, and what we need is a #1 playmaking center - which he is clearly not.

I am scared to see this buyout, because I fear this will be some heralded off-season acquisition and used to cover up the fact that we still can't score goals with the likes of LA or CHI.

He's a nice piece for some other team... but doesn't fit with ours at this point. This is Ott with better hands - a player in decline who has more reputation than productivity. Please no more washed out vets with "grit."

I'm confused. I've never known Brad Richards to ever add 'grit.' Also, comparing him to Ott, who has never had a 50 point season, is a bit puzzling. I get that Richards is over the hill. He's 34. But as a veteran forward who can chip in offense, and my hope is that he'll be cheaper than other veteran help. Richards isn't a #1 C, but that doesn't mean signing Richards will eliminate the possibility of picking someone up. The bottom half of our forwards is...not pretty. I'm okay adding some firepower with Richards.

The comparison is in bold above...

I doubt he's free, which is what he should be valued to this team.

I know you aren't happy with our bottom six forwards, but there are players with more upside for the same (or less!) money.

He was playing on the 4th line in the finals... and if we want to make a cup run we shouldn't be getting 4th line guys.

Pass

Oh. To the hell. No.

not_a_wings_fan wrote:No disrespect to the player, but this is exactly the kind of asshat we sign and then complain about all season long. We got several guys that fill Richard's role, and what we need is a #1 playmaking center - which he is clearly not.

I am scared to see this buyout, because I fear this will be some heralded off-season acquisition and used to cover up the fact that we still can't score goals with the likes of LA or CHI.

He's a nice piece for some other team... but doesn't fit with ours at this point. This is Ott with better hands - a player in decline who has more reputation than productivity. Please no more washed out vets with "grit."

No disrespect to the "fans", but don't most of them complain about things all season long no matter what, especially around here?

That being said, I actually agree with your post. Save the money and use it towards a real, proven #1. These trying-to-catch-lightning-in-a-bottle moves are too risky at this point. We need to win. I'm concerned that we're playing everything too cautiously and pretty soon our young studs are going to be due for a raise and we're not going to be able to keep them all. The time is now. Make a real move. We aren't that far off.

I realize we could still get Richards as a mid-roster guy, and that would probably be the expectation for him, but I'd rather take care of what we need to first, and then use what's left to fill out the roster. Basically just don't get screwed like we did with Roy...