CFN – We don’t want him. You take him. The LA Kings have done something that only could happen in the day of the CAP age. They have put Stanley Cup champ Mike Richards on waivers.
Richards, has 5 years left on a contract at about $5.25M per year. It’s a great deal for a cash strapped city like Ottawa as his actual salary diminishes over the term of those 5 years. Richards is only 29.
NHL teams are struggling to retain younger players and make moves for a play off run. Los Angeles is struggling to make the play offs this season after the Slava Voynov charges and has little to no wiggle room. They also have to sign young guns like Tyler Toffoli next season as he’s RFA.
Richards this year has put up fair numbers considering his role as a 3rd line centre. He has 15 points in 47 games with 39 PIMs in only 13 minutes per night and has been winning 48% of his face offs.
Which team should grab him waivers?
Edmonton has the cap space and needs a veteran center. He also would add some grit and leadership and teach some of the Oilers young stars how to win.
Arizona, always cash conscious could fill a role and help hit the cap floor.
He’d be an interesting fit in Toronto, but the Leafs already have cap issues. Barring some fast dealing it’s not a fit.
Ottawa is the best fit, especially with the diminishing salary.
Florida has cap space, but not sure Richards is a solution there, especially with Bolland’s contract on the books.
Winnipeg has the cap space and looks like it’s making a run for it this year. Adding Richards would give them a proven winner and someone that just might fit into their team..
A team that grabs Richards would be on the hook for the full balance of his contract. If more than one team claims him the one with the lowest winning percentage would gain the player.
Which team do you think will nab him or will no team pick up the veteran center? You can post your comments below.
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I fear Ottawa is stuck until Eugene releases the strings on his wallet.
No way the Jets go for him. They have too many players needing contracts in the next few year. There’s Scheifele, Trouba, Byfuglien, and Frolik to name a few. They can get a 3rd liner somewhere else for far less 😛
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Just what I was thinking, Rpdids! You nailed it.
It would be a huge mistake for the Jets to get him. The cap hit is way too high; Richards is diminishing too quickly to be worth the money. Imo he clears waivers.
The jets have 15 mii. Cap space no problem grabbing him the can always talk numbers off season I sure. He will if he wants to play obviously he needs a new start on a new team he’s only 29 plus he woul be a good second liner and would dominate a third line spot and give the jets 4 solid lines but still his contract sucks if that could be played with somehow it could a great deal and the main reason they threw him on wavers is signing a couple of really good up and comers and LA is biting ass right now and looks to be rebuilding
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