Richards Chooses Rangers

LONDON--Maybe the Maple Leafs' mistake was sending anyone to court Brad Richards at all.

The free agent centre chose the New York Rangers and their nine-year, $58.5 million contract today despite the fact the Rangers were the one team that didn't send anyone to visit with Richards and did it all by phone.

There's goes the silly notion that having Brian Burke in Afghanistan, not Toronto, was a costly decision for the Toronto organization. The Leafs made an offer despite believing all along that Richards wanted little or nothing to do with playing in Toronto's hot hockey atmosphere.

Richards always seemed pointed towards the Big Apple, and if healthy, the 31-year-old pivot could certainly help a team that has an outstanding goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist and a strong blueline corps.

The Rangers were 16th in the NHL in scoring last season. Richards had 77 points last year and 91 the year before for the Dallas Stars.

In Richards, Brandon Dubinsky and youngster Derek Stepan, the Blueshirts now look very solid down the middle. The acquisition of Richards is also a good sign for head coach John Tortorella, who coached Richards in Tampa Bay and was clearly one of the cards New York played in trying to lure the veteran centre.

Early reports suggest $50 million of the Richards' contract will be paid out in the first five years of the deal. The L.A. Kings probably tried the most of any team to get Richards, but the extra travel of playing in the Western Conference likely was not appealing.

The Leafs offered Richards a shorter, more conventional deal worth between $6 million and $7 million per. They will now look at other free agent and trade options to fill their need at centre. Tim Connolly, an unrestricted player, could be their first option.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Ron]

I am glad the Leafs did not get suckered into signing Richards. He is a good hockey player but at his age and history of injuries he is not worth the money or the term. There is no easy way to the cup. There very well could be a lockout coming and the whole landscape could change regarding the next agreement. Best to be out from under log term over priced contracts and see what happens.

[Bill]

Phew, glad he's not a leaf! (he'll be good for the couple years, but let's see if he's earthing $10mm in years 5/6)

[dave]

Leafs never had a chance on this one and their reluctance to sign an overpaid 2nd tier player like Talbot, Fleishman, lienno was probably wise
Only disappoint is Burke has not taken care of his own key RFA like Schenn and Maccarthur
Major trade is now necessary to get Weiss ,Stamkos or Parise
Tim Connoly will not do. Lecavalier could work if his Salary was offset by getting out of Komasarik or Phaneuf contract

[Jeff]

Good move for NY, better for the Leafs. They need to rebuild properly, not with a 9 year deal to a 31 y/o.

I'm not sure why having Torterella as a coach would mean much to Richards, as its likely Torterella will be fired in 2-3 years anyway once NY tanks. Point is don't rely on a coach being around too long these days.

[Steve C.]

What on earth does 'supporting our troops' have to do with hockey? Nothing, it's only a public relations ploy. I get so tired of this - it is utter propaganda (yeah I know, put me on the front lines, blah blah blah). But what does it mean that Burke chose to be away on one of the most important days on the hockey calendar? Sure it was not a vacation but it was still a CHOICE to be elsewhere. Canada Day and Free Agent day will always happen on the same day! Does anybody notice that no other GM decided to go to Afghanistan on this day? If Burke means anything to the troops over there, it would be to improve the quality of the Leafs - that would be how you improve morale. Almost any other excuse for Burke's choice to be absent would be met with scathing criticism. Oh, but not here at the 'Spin'.
No, the optics here is of Burke taking shelter behind the troops after failing miserably to land anybody on draft day.

[Concussions Suck]

They definitely overpaid... if that's what it took to get him, glad he's not a Leaf. I still have faith in Burkie and I think he'll do us well. A little disappointed that we haven't picked up anyone yet, but we'll see how it goes. Anyway, now that Reimer will be starting from day one, it doesn't matter who we put in front of him, I see a parade this year!

[Richard Coutts.]

Leaf Fans, do not be apoplectic about this. Yes, Brad Richards would have been a very nice addition, but no, not at the expense of their future. It is unlikely that the Rangers will win a cup with Richards. It is much more likely that within a couple of years they will regret this signing, particularly when the cap goes down..

These overpaid high profile signings almost never work out. With the realities of capology and a new more realistic agreement with the NHLPA looming, this will ring even more true in the future.

The Leafs have 3 good young prospects at C in Colborne, Kadri, and McKegg. Barring a trade, if Colborne centers Kessel, Bozek centers the 3rd line, and Frattin makes an impact, their top 9 have been upgraded Good enough, perhaps not, but better to build with youth than continually overpay aging stars. Furthermore, perhaps the Leafs retain cap space for trades with potential teams in the future, when they have a more realistic shot at contending. Regardless, The evidence is overwhelming that overpaid high profile signings rarely pan out.

[Jeff]

Thank goodness, great non move by the Leafs. Let the other foolish GMs pay too much for too little.
Richards would have helped short term but where is he 2-3 years from now and still earning $10 mil a season.
All the other teams that signed some of these non factor players...well GOOD LUCK.
Poor Habs! Suckered again!

[Peter]

Agree with Ron & Bill. The only potential mistake the Leafs made was in pitching for Richards at all. IF they went for an RFA now, it would be kind of hard to convince that player they were #1. Same goes for a big trade anytime soon.

[dantheleafsfan]

Good call on Connelly there.

I think I like the Leafs lineup going forward and the moves they've made so far (adding Lilles, Connelly; letting go Giggy and Sjostrum), except for losing Tim Brent. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. His 2-yr, 750k cap hit deal is completely reasonable for type of role he was fitting and almost at league minimum. I was hoping both Brent and Boyce would get contract offers for next season.

I wonder if there is any specific reason management chose not to resign him. Are they eyeing someone else in particular to slot in as the 4th line center?

[thorninthe]

Thank god the Leafs didn't fall for this guy. He is not Doug Gilmour at age 31 and his best years are behind him. If the Leafs had signed him to a 5 year 45 million contract, I'd be saying it was a good signing, but not for 9 years. In 5 years some other GM for the NYR will be cursing this contract.

[SDL]

Had the Leafs landed Richards for the right price, I am sure most fans would be happy. But, as Cox points out, it was always unlikely that he'd come to Toronto and shoulder those expectations when he could go to NYR and play in a pseudo hockey environment (i.e., all the fanfare and none of the fan demands). Connolly is a good stop-gap measure.

As for Burke, the NHL's equivalent of a rock star for GM ... it's ridiculous to debate the merit of his actions over not doing his job. I've heard the cellphone / internet connection arguments to support his absence. Whatever. So what if Richards was never coming here. The point is, he wasn't at his post. End of story.

There is not other GM in the league that would have made the trip to Afghanistan. None. Because no other GM in the league is such a media slut which is not so much about the job as it is about Burke.

His two biggest moves? One is the tandem of the now dubbed "Thelma and Louise". The other? Giving Boston Seguin and Dougie Hamilton for Kessel.

The guy has loads of charisma but, I'll tell you, I do know the game intimately and I think he is not only truculent but dead wrong.

[Davwud]

Leafs Nation relax. Ya it hurts now that Richards didnt sign here but it would e hurt much more later if he did.

DT

[big mac]

i read in todays bflo news that you thought we way overpaid for what we got, take a 2nd look mr, you losers just paid 9.5 for a player who usually makes it thru half a seasonmand the other half for the mosy part he coasts.so who's the fools,we got rid of him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Musclehead17]

Although those in the know felt it was a long shot to land Richards, the perception that Burke gave by not being here spoke volumes. He really boils over with arrogance. When I read that part on playing for Tortorella I also wonder what impact Wilson holds on the decision?? If Connolly stays healthy he will help. As far as a 4th line center, looks like its Bozak. I felt the Oilers really made a splash addressing issues and needs. As I had stated prior this team will be deeper in post season after 2 last place finishes than the Leafs will. The key in addition to Franson is Lombardi. If he can play 60 games that could prove large with his speed. Way to go Nonis!!

[othermark]

@Dave "Major trade is now necessary to get Weiss ,Stamkos or Parise
Tim Connoly will not do. Lecavalier could work if his Salary was offset by getting out of Komasarik or Phaneuf contract." Really? What colour is the sky in your world? No hope in hades that the Leafs will get any of Weiss, Stamkos or Parise. You are forgetting the fact that the other team has to want to trade them. Also, getting out of the Komasarik contract will not happen (again, who would do that deal?). And, I ask, why would you want to trade Phaneuf. You saw what a healthy Phaneuf was capable of at the end of last season. It would be a huge mistake to trade him for cap relief. Really.. do you have a clue?