Anyone getting a little concerned...

[vroppelt]

That we haven't yet announced the buyout of Richards four days into the buyout period?

I kinda thought this was a done deal, hope they are not actually considering not buying him out...

Wonder if they could trade him instead, to a team that's looking to get to the cap floor, I think we are allowed to eat some salary in a trade under the new CBA...

 

[mrmel29]

It should be announced shortly. As for trading him thats not happening because of he chargeback scenario

 

[Disturbed]

Richards bought out, just confirmed TSN

 

[NYR31]

So how much did Richards cash out?

 

[theProdigy223]

His goal 2 years ago against the Caps in the playoffs to tie the game with about 5 seconds left is probably a top 5 rangers memory for me. I was at that game, went completely nuts.

Good luck in the future Brad...except against us, since we all know you're headed somewhere nearby.

 

[chuckd3534]

The buyout will remove Richards’ cap hit from the Rangers salary cap but the team will still owe him $1.055 million per year until 2025-26. (Cap Geek)

Richards will earn an additional $8 million in not-yet paid signing bonus money that is not eligible to be part of the compliance buyout. That money does not impact the Rangers cap. (Cap Geek)

In total, Richards will receive $20.667 million from the Rangers as part of the buyout. (Chris Johnston)

 

[chuckd3534]

In 3 years here the Rangers won 6 playoff series. Went to an ECF for the first time in 15 years. Went to an SCF for the first time in 20 years.

YES he wasn't the main reason why, but he was a leader on all those teams. Was the defacto captain of the SCF team. Was a solid player for 2 of the 3 years. Tip of the cap to Brad, thanks for the memories.

He will stay East though and sign with the Flyers, Caps, Bruins, Devs, Isles someone East coast. So I hope he doesn't hurt us in the future.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

I am not worried with him hurting us, he is going to be like Vincent Lecavalier, who has 24 even strength points last season and was a fourth liner in the playoffs.
Richards is too slow to play as a first line center.

 

[chuckd3534]

The Rangers MUST get a 1st line C. I really think it is that simple. If we want to win a cup we need to add a big C.

Thornton, Stastny, Kesler all fit the bill. Get 1 of those 3. It should be a HUGE focus ASAP (I leave Spezza off because we are not a match with the Sens who will deal Spezza West to the Ducks or Blues most likely).

Get it done Glen.

 

[theProdigy223]

JT Miller Kevin Klein and a pick for Kesler, resign Stralman for 3.8m, pair McIlrath or Allen with with Moore on the 3rd pair. Money just about a wash, done and done.

The more I think about Thornton the more he scares me, and we have no shot at Spezza.

 

[chuckd3534]

Kesler, Stastny, Thornton is the order I put them in. Get one Glen.

Agree, no shot at Spezza. Going West.

 

[NYR31]

I am not worried with him hurting us, he is going to be like Vincent Lecavalier, who has 24 even strength points last season and was a fourth liner in the playoffs.
Richards is too slow to play as a first line center.

I agree. I actually hope he goes to one of the Flyers, Caps, Devs and Isles b/c that means those teams are not focusing on the things they need to get better, but rather adding offense they don't need. We'd all be so lucky.

 

[Disturbed]

The more I think about Thornton the more I dont want him. 35 years old with no speed. Great passer yes but he also plays small when the games matter most.

I think its Kesler

 

[Ranger71]

Why do they double the time of future payments instead of just doubling it over the exact length of the rest of the contract? i.e. pay him 2.1m until 2020 instead of 1.05m until 2026. Why not get it over with quicker?

 

[MrSleeps]

Richards was such a disappointment, that game he tied it with the caps thats about it, He did nothing, He had the most opportunities to succeed playins PP minutes doesn't play PK play with best players and did nothing here. Occasional goal here and there but was not a impact player, He cashed out as soon as he signed on the dotted line, He had a concussion in dallas and dallas saw that and traded him, Anybody who thinks otherwise has been fooled.

the success this team has had would of happened without him here anyways. What role did he bring leadership? 7 mil dollars for leadership LOL

 

[puck2]

Best of luck to Brad Richards. Was a consummate pro, Stanley Cup winner, Conn Smythe winner. Played some good hockey here and was a standup guy win or lose. If guys like Krieder. Zucc, Hagalin, Step, etc. have half the accomplishments Brad had, they'll do alright. Richards was a credit to the Ranger organization and wore the sweater proudly.

 

[puck2]

Richards line 982 gm 867 pts. = 72.3 per season Playoffs 118 gm. 90 pts. Solid career

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

Best of luck to Brad Richards. Was a consummate pro, Stanley Cup winner, Conn Smythe winner. Played some good hockey here and was a standup guy win or lose. If guys like Krieder. Zucc, Hagalin, Step, etc. have half the accomplishments Brad had, they'll do alright. Richards was a credit to the Ranger organization and wore the sweater proudly.

wore it proudly? let's be a little reasonable, he only came here for the money, he was a disgrace last season. yes solid career just not a great Ranger career.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[strudwickisthebest]

it def doesnt help the team buying out Richards but i guess they had to. So they need to replace him and most likely will.

With that being said i think Richards is a solid role player any team would want

 

[Greyvtrayn]

wore it proudly? let's be a little reasonable, he only came here for the money, he was a disgrace last season. yes solid career just not a great Ranger career.

Don't blame the player for the GM making one in a long line of horrible free agent acquisitions. If Sather made even a moderately ridiculous offer when he signed Richards we may not even be talking about a compliance buyout. But hats off to Sather for offering a 10 yr deal to a 30-year old player. Brilliant. I'ts moves like Richards, Redden, Holik, Drury etc that make me nervous for July 1st.

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

I can't blame him as the contract was before the new cba

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[chuckd3534]

You guys are rough on Richards. He was solid, 20 goals, in 2 of 3 seasons. No he didn't live up to the contract, but Sather did what he needed to do to get him here. Richards had other comparable offers 3 summers ago, we all forget that. And the team had 3 strong seasons in Richards time here.

So instead of tearing him down today, how about we say thanks for the time here Brad. No you weren't great, but you had a couple of solid seasons, the team had solid success (1st ECF in 15 years/1st SCF in 20 years), and now we move on. No harm no foul. That is how I view it.

Now we go out and add a # 1 C this summer, or at least a C better than Richards at this point in his career.

 

[RagFan4Ever]

You guys are rough on Richards. He was solid, 20 goals, in 2 of 3 seasons. No he didn't live up to the contract, but Sather did what he needed to do to get him here. Richards had other comparable offers 3 summers ago, we all forget that. And the team had 3 strong seasons in Richards time here.

So instead of tearing him down today, how about we say thanks for the time here Brad. No you weren't great, but you had a couple of solid seasons, the team had solid success (1st ECF in 15 years/1st SCF in 20 years), and now we move on. No harm no foul. That is how I view it.

Now we go out and add a # 1 C this summer, or at least a C better than Richards at this point in his career.

Very good post. I agree completely Chuck.

 

[Pastafazul]

for the money he got to come here, and for the amount of years here, if all you can come up with is 1 or 2 highlites of his play, only word i can come up with is disappointment!!! and his play when it mattered most whether he was instrumental in getting his team there or not, personally, do not believe was, was a disappointment! guy went girly!

 

[mrmel29]

Don't blame the player for the GM making one in a long line of horrible free agent acquisitions. If Sather made even a moderately ridiculous offer when he signed Richards we may not even be talking about a compliance buyout. But hats off to Sather for offering a 10 yr deal to a 30-year old player. Brilliant. I'ts moves like Richards, Redden, Holik, Drury etc that make me nervous for July 1st.

Richards was a contributor but nowhere near what he needed to be with the money he somehow commanded. More than time for him to leave now. Your last line with sathers list of free agent failures is why I'm hoping he can make a trade which he's better at for our new center before free agency starts. And I would like it to be kessler or oreilly

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

You guys are rough on Richards. He was solid, 20 goals, in 2 of 3 seasons. No he didn't live up to the contract, but Sather did what he needed to do to get him here. Richards had other comparable offers 3 summers ago, we all forget that. And the team had 3 strong seasons in Richards time here.

So instead of tearing him down today, how about we say thanks for the time here Brad. No you weren't great, but you had a couple of solid seasons, the team had solid success (1st ECF in 15 years/1st SCF in 20 years), and now we move on. No harm no foul. That is how I view it.

Now we go out and add a # 1 C this summer, or at least a C better than Richards at this point in his career.

we expected a #1 center and a power play genius, that didnt happen. he was so bad and out of shape he was pulled in the playoffs. he made terrible deciaions with the puck. you want to throw roses, throw daiseys instead. team paid for a Cadillac and got a Taurus instead. nothing wrong with a reliable Taurus, but not at that price.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[mrmel29]

we expected a #1 center and a power play genius, that didnt happen. he was so bad and out of shape he was pulled in the playoffs. he made terrible deciaions with the puck. you want to throw roses, throw daiseys instead. team paid for a Cadillac and got a Taurus instead. nothing wrong with a reliable Taurus, but not at that price.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Right on the button Al. I still can't believe that picture of yourself you posted in the playoffs. You look like your in your 20's LOL

 

[BigDaddyAl1973]

Lol...thanks baby face all the way, my knees and back tell a different tale

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[puck2]

Richards a little bit overpaid, but nonetheless, a consummate pro with a very good NHL career. Name on the Stanley Cup and a Conn Smythe winner, which very few NHL players will ever achieve. Great pro, did the logo proud. Bottom line.

 

[chuckd3534]

Okay Al, so rip him. That is cool. Certainly your right. All I will say is two 20 goals seasons in 3 years here. Was a leader in all 3 years. Was defacto captain on a SCF team. We had the most success since the mid to late 90's with Richards on the team. That's how I view it.

To me I am not sure what the point is of hating on him now. He got paid what the market called for 3 summers ago, other teams actually offered more than we did and he signed here, so it wasn't like Sather went nuts and gave him money no one would have. He got what the market called for at the time, and we won games with him here, not sure what else there is to say.

If he was gone after last season when he was out of shape and had a down season, I would be with you, but he was not. He came back and had 20 goals this season. Played pretty well in the playoffs until a terrible series against the Kings. And was the defacto captain of a SCF team.

If you want to compare him to prime Richards and wanted 80 + points per season, then okay kill him. But in 2 of 3 seasons he had 20 goals or more and scored 50 + points.

Not studly. Not dominant. Certainly not worth what he got paid overall. Certainly underperformed his contract. All 100% true Al, and no one would argue that, but he wasn't a disaster here. He didn't score 12 goals a season here. He played to the level of player he is now IMO, 20 or so goals and 50 or so points. That is who Brad Richards is at 33/34 years old (and his first season here he went 25/66 which is real solid).

So we agree Al he certainly wasn't up to the contract or the # 1 C we all hoped he would be when he came here. But he was solid. The team had success. He did score 20 goals 2 of 3 seasons. He was a leader. And now no harm no foul we move on. That's how I view it at least.