Then what is your question? Why dont I think signing Richards to a 7 year 8 million dollar a year deal is a good idea?
Dude, he's not getting 8M/year. He doesn't make that now and it has been generally anticipated that he will take a slight pay cut. At the end of the day I would be willing to bet it's a 6 year deal with a cap hit of about 6.75M/per. It would likely go up a bit for a 5 year deal and down a bit for 7 years. And by bit I mean about 500k.
Dude, he's not getting 8M/year. He doesn't make that now and it has been generally anticipated that he will take a slight pay cut. At the end of the day I would be willing to bet it's a 6 year deal with a cap hit of about 6.75M/per. It would likely go up a bit for a 5 year deal and down a bit for 7 years. And by bit I mean about 500k.
He makes what now? 7.8 a year? And he signed that deal what, 5 years ago?
Gotta figure with inflation, and that he had a 90+ point season a season ago, he could very easily get an 8 mil a year deal.
Man, this place is going to be the site of a HUUUGE letdown IMO. First, I really don't think Richards is signing here. Second, He's clearly the top of the UFA class. People who think he's coming cheap are going to be sad. If he takes short term, he's going to want guarantees like a NMC, and we know how those work. I don't think he goes anywhere less than 7M, and for 5 yrs, with at LEAST a limited NTC. Someone is going to offer him that. Tampa has stronger ties to him than we do, and there's no State income tax, so he could concieveably sign there for less money without hurting his bottom line. Toronto wants to get Kessel a linemate as bad as we want one for Gaborik, and alot of their big contracts are more moveable than Drury or Redden's money. Buffalo's new owner has deep pockets and I'm SURE he's going to try and make his voice heard this off season. Dallas may straighten their ownership situation out. Everyone is writing their lineups like this is a foregone conclusion that he's here next season. I am very skeptical. I just don't think it's going to be as easy as some people here think.
Man, this place is going to be the site of a HUUUGE letdown IMO. First, I really don't think Richards is signing here. Second, He's clearly the top of the UFA class. People who think he's coming cheap are going to be sad. If he takes short term, he's going to want guarantees like a NMC, and we know how those work. I don't think he goes anywhere less than 7M, and for 5 yrs, with at LEAST a limited NTC. Someone is going to offer him that. Tampa has stronger ties to him than we do, and there's no State income tax, so he could concieveably sign there for less money without hurting his bottom line. Toronto wants to get Kessel a linemate as bad as we want one for Gaborik, and alot of their big contracts are more moveable than Drury or Redden's money. Buffalo's new owner has deep pockets and I'm SURE he's going to try and make his voice heard this off season. Dallas may straighten their ownership situation out. Everyone is writing their lineups like this is a foregone conclusion that he's here next season. I am very skeptical. I just don't think it's going to be as easy as some people here think.
Disagree about the Tampa ties, lots of new faces there, and usually the coach you play for is the most familiar face that matters to a player.
However, I agree getting him here is not surefire, or going to be easy.
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"I used to pray for good things . I used to ask the Hockey Gods for puck luck for the NYR .
Now all I want is Torts the smug stupid goatee clown to be fired , . I hate Torts . Please hockey gods make him get fired. Please Sean punch him in face" -- Dorado
He's been close friends with Lecavalier since they were 14, and St.Louis is still there. I'd bet he's closer with either of them than Tortorella. He did extensive charity work with the community when he played there. Not to mention, alot of players wind up marrying a girl they met in their first NHL city. Any idea if Richards is married or where his wife is from?
He's been close friends with Lecavalier since they were 14, and St.Louis is still there. I'd bet he's closer with either of them than Tortorella. He did extensive charity work with the community when he played there. Not to mention, alot of players wind up marrying a girl they met in their first NHL city. Any idea if Richards is married or where his wife is from?
Oh yeah I am sure he is definitely closer with Vinny and Marty, no doubt about that. I'm sure that will weigh in.
Based on the make up of the Lightning as a club, how could they possibly justify investing 6 or more million dollars a season in another offensive forward? Their goaltending and blueline both need upgrades.
Based on the make up of the Lightning as a club, how could they possibly justify investing 6 or more million dollars a season in another offensive forward? Their goaltending and blueline both need upgrades.
I'm not positive but I think I read that they have the most cap space of any playoff team. I know they have to resign young guns and get a goalie, but that still leaves them with good amount of cap left, IF ownership wants to spend, which IMO they should, that team could compete for a cup again soon with a few additions, unlike some other constant rebuilding franchises.
I'm not positive but I think I read that they have the most cap space of any playoff team. I know they have to resign young guns and get a goalie, but that still leaves them with good amount of cap left, IF ownership wants to spend, which IMO they should, that team could compete for a cup again soon with a few additions, unlike some other constant rebuilding franchises.
They do have a ton of cap space, and they should spend it, I agree.
But they have to re-sign Stamkos to what one figures to be a monster deal (and deservedly so). Purcell is an RFA and will get a modest raise. If you include them, I believe they have 9 forwards under contract. I think they should re-sign Bergenheim, that would be ten.
They'll have 4 blueliners with 2 expired RFAs. I think they really need a top tier offensive defenseman more so than another offensive forward, and even if they go with Roloson next year, how many more years is he really going to be an option?
It wouldn't be the most ridiculous thing in the world for them to acquire Richards, and I wouldn't blame him for going there. Aside from his relationships, you're talking about one of the most impressive young thinktanks in the game between Boucher and Yzerman. But I just don't think it's the right thing for them to do.
He's been close friends with Lecavalier since they were 14, and St.Louis is still there. I'd bet he's closer with either of them than Tortorella. He did extensive charity work with the community when he played there. Not to mention, alot of players wind up marrying a girl they met in their first NHL city. Any idea if Richards is married or where his wife is from?
Good...let Tampa sign Richards and we'll take Stamkos.
When you look at the 2012 UFAs, what do they have to lose? If they can make Richards happen this year, they will be able to blow off steam next summer - unless somehow you think Semin or Patrick Sharp makes it to UFA and is worth the money.
Unless you find a way to make a huge trade, it seems like top-end talent is becoming extremely difficult to obtain outside the draft.
They will have to try something like this and then be very shrewd in adding the support pieces to ever make a Cup run in the Crosby/Ovechkin/Kane & Toews/Sedins/Kopitar & Doughty...oh you get the point "awesome draft picks that are not on the Rangers" era...
In a weird way I think they need to be like Philly, but with real goaltending.
He's been close friends with Lecavalier since they were 14, and St.Louis is still there. I'd bet he's closer with either of them than Tortorella. He did extensive charity work with the community when he played there. Not to mention, alot of players wind up marrying a girl they met in their first NHL city. Any idea if Richards is married or where his wife is from?
I believe a recent article stated he was a bachelor.
I looked it up and I think youre right. Which in my opinion, swings the pendulum decidedly in Tampa's favor. There's good looking women in every city, you just get to see alot more of each one in sunny florida
I've said it before but my biggest concern is that we have Sather at the helm. Any other GM I'd trust to sign Richards to a reasonable contract. I can see Sather paying an absurd amount though.
Man, this place is going to be the site of a HUUUGE letdown IMO. First, I really don't think Richards is signing here. Second, He's clearly the top of the UFA class. People who think he's coming cheap are going to be sad. If he takes short term, he's going to want guarantees like a NMC, and we know how those work. I don't think he goes anywhere less than 7M, and for 5 yrs, with at LEAST a limited NTC. Someone is going to offer him that. Tampa has stronger ties to him than we do, and there's no State income tax, so he could concieveably sign there for less money without hurting his bottom line. Toronto wants to get Kessel a linemate as bad as we want one for Gaborik, and alot of their big contracts are more moveable than Drury or Redden's money. Buffalo's new owner has deep pockets and I'm SURE he's going to try and make his voice heard this off season. Dallas may straighten their ownership situation out. Everyone is writing their lineups like this is a foregone conclusion that he's here next season. I am very skeptical. I just don't think it's going to be as easy as some people here think.
I'm with you on this. It won't be easy at all.
I think in years past you could almost guarantee Sather would have a mandate to break the bank and then do so. Things have changed. The thing that really sticks out to me is that basically not one player we've signed for big bucks has been a lights out success.
Among other factors may be that Richards actually does not WANT to be a Ranger. Chara didn't.
I think in years past you could almost guarantee Sather would have a mandate to break the bank and then do so. Things have changed. The thing that really sticks out to me is that basically not one player we've signed for big bucks has been a lights out success.
Among other factors may be that Richards actually does not WANT to be a Ranger. Chara didn't.
We were the only team he was willing to waive for at the deadline. That says something, no?
They do have a ton of cap space, and they should spend it, I agree.
But they have to re-sign Stamkos to what one figures to be a monster deal (and deservedly so). Purcell is an RFA and will get a modest raise. If you include them, I believe they have 9 forwards under contract. I think they should re-sign Bergenheim, that would be ten.
They'll have 4 blueliners with 2 expired RFAs. I think they really need a top tier offensive defenseman more so than another offensive forward, and even if they go with Roloson next year, how many more years is he really going to be an option?
It wouldn't be the most ridiculous thing in the world for them to acquire Richards, and I wouldn't blame him for going there. Aside from his relationships, you're talking about one of the most impressive young thinktanks in the game between Boucher and Yzerman. But I just don't think it's the right thing for them to do.
They'll back load that deal so they maximize what they have now and hopefully in the future.
I agree that organization has a lot going for them, I can see him picking that over being back with Torts. Torts, thats the big allure? Meh....
