Yup. 1.6 less than Richards. If we let Richards go, we would have to spend 4 mill + to get someone to replace him. And odds are they would not be much better. And would have to acclimate to NY. And it was a risk that we would get someone good.
No Briere. 1 of 10 for LeCav.
We did what we needed to do. That is why Richards was a tossup either way.
Hockey free agency is out of control. Not different from baseball, but no cap in baseball makes it easier to deal with mistakes. In hockey they can crush you. Can't always count on buyouts to help like they did with Redden, Richards next summer, and Bryz for the Flyers.