Mike Richards to Kings

[maddogmark25]

The Flyers sorely miss Lappy's presence in the locker room IMO, they really to get a player of his type on the roster

 

[Automattic]

richards and carter sucked in the playoffs brother see ya

Bryz kicks ass in the playoffs though...

 

[flyersfan4706]

^^^ON the Yotes against the Red Wings. DONT TAKE THIS AWAY FROM ME AUTO

 

[maddogmark25]

Bryz kicks ass in the playoffs though...

He played for the Coyotes...

Thats like Halak on the Canadiens last year, except they were fortunate to draw the Caps

 

[Automattic]

Oh alright fellas, congrats on a real goalie. I want you in fine form when we meet this year anyway. Think we meet for a January game in Detroit....

 

[flyersfan4706]

In Detroit Mid-Feb and in Philly early March

 

[elocomotive]

Here's the end game I don't understand. You are trading away Richards and Carter for about 5 prospects/picks that following how things pan out will ultimately likely yield you two players about as good as Richards and Carter?

If Richards and Carter were in their early 30s, I would fully get it. But at 26, this seems a bit rash.

I fully get unloading Carter - there are chemistry/postseason/attitude issues there. He's your Alex Semin. But Richards? He seems like not only a great player, but a representative of what Flyers' hockey is all about. It's a lot of change to lose two guys that typically put up 30ish goals and 60-80 points.

This may be the right move over the long run. Maybe they'll have four 30-goal scorers in three years. But the Flyers had a solid position in the East and I think just took a really big gamble they didn't need to take. I really don't get it.

 

[flyersfan4706]

I think at the end of the day Homer made it pretty (Well i think it was pretty) to make room for Bryzgalov.

 

[pixburgher66]

It's just interesting that the biggest strength the Flyers had was depth, and now it's not. But, with goalies in the NHL, you have to pay. And you can't have your cake and eat it too.

 

[flyersfan4706]

I keep forgetting we have a real goalie now

 

[rares]

FriedgeHNIC Elliotte Friedman
Richards: Thanked Holmgren for giving him opportunity. Both very emotional...never thought would be a conversation he'd have to have.
Richards: I had never heard any rumour nor has anyone mentioned anything about a trade until 130 today when agent Pat Morris called.
Richards: probably wouldn't have signed deal if he knew he would have been traded

Funny that... I didn't realize players signed huge contracts without NMC/NTC clauses anymore.

Dougie Wilson should be speed-dialing Holmgren every 5 minutes to ask him if he has a bag a pucks he'd like to trade for Heatley (and take the lazy POS off our hands).

 

[puckhead]

Funny that... I didn't realize players signed huge contracts without NMC/NTC clauses anymore.

there was something in the rules which prevented a NMC (for both him and carter) until July 2012.
which, coincidentally, is when both of their NMC's are set to kick in.

 

[Jimmy_the_Tongue]

Wow....this is insane...when was the last time you saw a Stanley Cup contender totally overhauled in an off-season like this? And there's no way they're done at this point...this is gonna be good!

 

[banditshcky11]

Wow....this is insane...when was the last time you saw a Stanley Cup contender totally overhauled in an off-season like this? And there's no way they're done at this point...this is gonna be good!

I've heard Homer has worked out a deal to get all 3 Staals at half their current salaries. He achieved this by calling their mother who in turn told Bettman they all needed to be on the same team or they were going to Russia.

Oh wait this could only happen in Pittsburg

 

[Ho_Brah]

been busy with life lately. but after finding out today's deal, I had to break ranks. Been thinking about this for the past several hours, where to begin? Lets just start.


Numbers 10 and 17 are available.

18, Mike Richards' number, is not. What will he wear?
I hope not 81.

I'm trying to remember if the Kings have an 8. Oh, Jesus. Seriously, that should tell you where my head is right now.

I hope he takes 10.

I guess that solves the Dustin Brown / Wayne Simmonds log-jam on RW.

Ditto for the Brayden Schenn / Andrei Loktionov overlap at center.

Except, with Richards and Kopitar in the top-six, where do you put Loktionov?

You've got Jarret Stoll, Loktionov, Trevor Lewis and Brad Richardson as possible bottom-six centers. For Loktionov to center the #3 line, it would have to be a very different line other than what we've seen under Terry Murray.

I've always wanted a small speedy time 3rd line for the Kings, maybe this is the opportunity for it to happen.

In which case, who is getting the tough defensive minutes? My first thought about that: make Kopitar's line and Richards' line both capable of playing a scoring and/or stopper role, leaving a Loktionov line to destroy people with its speed and skill.

I don't know if I even like that idea. But I also don't like the idea of Loktionov rotting in Manchester. Yes, I know he could benefit from another year in Manchester. But Richards is signed for 9 more years.

And Stoll? He's not going to be a fourth line center, is he? Not with his face-off ability. Maybe he plays left-wing on Loktionov's line and takes a lot of draws.

Who is RW3 now? Trevor Lewis? Well, that would be fast. Stoll/Loktionov/Lewis.

Oscar Moller? Maybe you should consider coming to camp. Just saying.

No Simmonds, no Schenn, no Moller, maybe no Smyth.... I guess things are looking better for Brad Richardson now.

Patrick O`Sullivan, sub-par season, traded; Lubomir Visnovsky, sub-par season, traded; Wayne Simmonds, sub-par season, traded.

Question for Philly people: what kind of winger does Richards click with? The options on the left are Dustin Penner, Scott Parse or a player TBD. On the right, Justin Williams and Dustin Brown.

That's likely all she wrote for Michal Handzus, isn't it?

The Kings' first pick in tomorrow's draft is now #79.

Kind of makes a Smyth for picks trade seem more logical.

The Richards contract, with its $5.75MM cap hit, is affordable. However, in terms of the Kings' current cap situation, it's an increase of almost $5MM from where they were a yesterday. Only Simmonds was on the roster, and his cap hit was under a million.

That means that Smyth is gone, one way or another. Either he's traded or he's bought out. But the Kings can't afford to add Richards' cap hit, subtracting only Simmonds', and still keep enough room to be able to match any offer sheet that comes Doughty's way. I haven't added up the numbers yet, but I'm pretty sure that's a fact.

Potential lines:
Penner / Kopitar / Williams
Parse? / Richards / Brown
Stoll / Loktionov / Lewis
Clifford / Richardson / ??

Oh yeah.. Tough to give up Schenn. I wish him the best. He'll fit in with the Flyers perfectly. Can't wait to see him play.

 

[Maverick426h]

It's just interesting that the biggest strength the Flyers had was depth, and now it's not. But, with goalies in the NHL, you have to pay. And you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Well, I tend to disagree with you on this. Go figure...lol The defensive depth is still there as long as Pronger and Timonen are healthy and good to go. The goaltending situation is suddenly in great shape with an established russian starter able to mentor a russian sophomore that is highly praised.

As far as forwards are concerned, the Flyers probably aren't done making moves. There is now space to re-sign Leino and you no longer have to play a natural top line center at wing. Top centers like Giroux and Briere get big minutes on the top two lines with actual wingers. Suddenly there are more picks in addition to Schenn to restock the farm. The depth is still there, it's just younger. Three or four years from now, we may be looking back at how the Jackets and Kings got fleeced in these deals, I don't know. I guess it all depends on what the Flyers do with their picks tonight and how they pan out in addition to what is provided by Voracek and Simmonds.

Regardless, it is just really difficult to look at the big picture and not dwell on the fact that the Flyers will be a completely different team next season. Richie and Carter were the foundation of the team and I agree with whoever stated that this is a personality change. It really is.

 

[Automattic]

been busy with life lately. but after finding out today's deal, I had to break ranks. Been thinking about this for the past several hours, where to begin? Lets just start.


Numbers 10 and 17 are available.

18, Mike Richards' number, is not. What will he wear?
I hope not 81.

I'm trying to remember if the Kings have an 8. Oh, Jesus. Seriously, that should tell you where my head is right now.

I hope he takes 10.

I guess that solves the Dustin Brown / Wayne Simmonds log-jam on RW.

Ditto for the Brayden Schenn / Andrei Loktionov overlap at center.

Except, with Richards and Kopitar in the top-six, where do you put Loktionov?

You've got Jarret Stoll, Loktionov, Trevor Lewis and Brad Richardson as possible bottom-six centers. For Loktionov to center the #3 line, it would have to be a very different line other than what we've seen under Terry Murray.

I've always wanted a small speedy time 3rd line for the Kings, maybe this is the opportunity for it to happen.

In which case, who is getting the tough defensive minutes? My first thought about that: make Kopitar's line and Richards' line both capable of playing a scoring and/or stopper role, leaving a Loktionov line to destroy people with its speed and skill.

I don't know if I even like that idea. But I also don't like the idea of Loktionov rotting in Manchester. Yes, I know he could benefit from another year in Manchester. But Richards is signed for 9 more years.

And Stoll? He's not going to be a fourth line center, is he? Not with his face-off ability. Maybe he plays left-wing on Loktionov's line and takes a lot of draws.

Who is RW3 now? Trevor Lewis? Well, that would be fast. Stoll/Loktionov/Lewis.

Oscar Moller? Maybe you should consider coming to camp. Just saying.

No Simmonds, no Schenn, no Moller, maybe no Smyth.... I guess things are looking better for Brad Richardson now.

Patrick O`Sullivan, sub-par season, traded; Lubomir Visnovsky, sub-par season, traded; Wayne Simmonds, sub-par season, traded.

Question for Philly people: what kind of winger does Richards click with? The options on the left are Dustin Penner, Scott Parse or a player TBD. On the right, Justin Williams and Dustin Brown.

That's likely all she wrote for Michal Handzus, isn't it?

The Kings' first pick in tomorrow's draft is now #79.

Kind of makes a Smyth for picks trade seem more logical.

The Richards contract, with its $5.75MM cap hit, is affordable. However, in terms of the Kings' current cap situation, it's an increase of almost $5MM from where they were a yesterday. Only Simmonds was on the roster, and his cap hit was under a million.

That means that Smyth is gone, one way or another. Either he's traded or he's bought out. But the Kings can't afford to add Richards' cap hit, subtracting only Simmonds', and still keep enough room to be able to match any offer sheet that comes Doughty's way. I haven't added up the numbers yet, but I'm pretty sure that's a fact.

Potential lines:
Penner / Kopitar / Williams
Parse? / Richards / Brown
Stoll / Loktionov / Lewis
Clifford / Richardson / ??

Oh yeah.. Tough to give up Schenn. I wish him the best. He'll fit in with the Flyers perfectly. Can't wait to see him play.

I'm not arguing that Simmonds had a sub par year, as I didn't see him enough. But he did sure tear shit up whenever I was watching and also seemed to get a little smarter over time.

 

[elocomotive]

I read through the Flyers board to see what the reaction is. Most people seem pretty bummed out about Richards. A few really good or funny responses...

you're saying richards and carter 'thelma & louise'd it?

nice playoff tie-in. Someone realistic...

Brad Richards, anyone? Anyone? Nah, me neither.

And then...

Can anyone on your side of the pond confirm/deny what I've been reading from people's updates on Facebook, namely the fact that Stamkos is on his way to Philly

1 - You can use capgeek.com, if it helps.
2 - No you can't. The website crashed. I tried!
3 - It cannot compute Richards out of Philly...

Lol.

 

[davnlaguna]

Unnamed sources claim Smyth deal done and we should hear details by Saturday.

Simmonds brings it all: a little scoring, a little fighting, a little agitating, a lot of defense, and a giant heart.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

Question for Philly people: what kind of winger does Richards click with? The options on the left are Dustin Penner, Scott Parse or a player TBD. On the right, Justin Williams and Dustin Brown.

The good thing about Richards was that he can pretty much play with anyone. The decision to make is his role on the team. He can pass, score, dominate, check, fight, play defense. His problem is he tries to do all of that in one shift, which isnt as great as it sounds.

I think he needs to be more offensively minded because of his talent. He tends to play a little too much defense and that pretty means the forwards are less one guy.

I hope he plays with Williams because J-Dub is one of my favorite all time flyers.