I think the fact that he helped us avoid giving up assets speaks volumes for his intentions. I have tremendous respect for this, and I think it sent a message to everyone on the team that he is for real and most defintley NOT a mercenary.
I think the fact that he helped us avoid giving up assets speaks volumes for his intentions. I have tremendous respect for this, and I think it sent a message to everyone on the team that he is for real and most defintley NOT a mercenary.
Good for us.
A bit of a dick move to the Stars, but not really. He had a No-trade clause and every right to use it.
And I don't get where this idea of Richards being good defensively comes from: he's not. But it doesn't really matter.
I don't think he's really good, but I don't think he's bad either. Like, I don't see Gaborik really doing anything better on defense that Richards does, which is why I end up confused that there is a difference between their +/-'s
I don't think he's really good, but I don't think he's bad either. Like, I don't see Gaborik really doing anything better on defense that Richards does, which is why I end up confused that there is a difference between their +/-'s
Because +/- is not all that representative of somebody's defensive skill in many cases.
The guy has been a solid, solid addition....and I had some serious doubts owing to our past history with high priced FA's.
Those of you who scolded me were right. He's different.
While I agree that Richards is different than the other free agents who have failed here, it's still only 27 games into a 9 year contract. I don't expect him to have a drop off like Drury did, but we can't completely rule it out either. Anything can happen.
But for now, he's playing great. If he can maintain near this level for the next 5 years, I don't care what he does in the final 3 years.
Well, I've been watching and following the Rangers for over 20 years, and I cant even remember being legitimately excited about a free agent signing. I was excited about Richards, hes producing, and perhaps best of all in terms of this conversation, hes showing a lot of people why his game will translate well deep into his longterm contract.
Call it silly if you'd like, I know theres a long way to go; but at least try to list some Ranger free agent signings that turned out well and could rival this one.
Just off top of my head, Ulf Nilsson, Anders Hedberg, Mark Pavelich(UFA), I realize they were 30 yrs ago but what the heck
I don't think he's really good, but I don't think he's bad either. Like, I don't see Gaborik really doing anything better on defense that Richards does, which is why I end up confused that there is a difference between their +/-'s
Gaborik scores a greater proportion of his points at even strength. Aside from my final comment, that's what I was driving at.
"Sparkle"? Sorry, but the team I love does NOT "sparkle".
Richards has been great. It feels good to have an elite center finally. The guy works hard every shift too.
He's always been a work horse. I think that's why he fits so well with this team. And why NY is falling in love with him. And to think his best is ahead of him. He could have a very good year.
So far I think he has been ok not great. I keep thinking back when he was on Tampa and how dangerous he was then. He scared me alot more than Vinnie or Marty. We just might see that Richards come the second half, once he gets settled and comfortable here. I'm telling you,.. he can be really frightening for opposing teams.
He's always been a work horse. I think that's why he fits so well with this team. And why NY is falling in love with him. And to think his best is ahead of him. He could have a very good year.
So far I think he has been ok not great. I keep thinking back when he was on Tampa and how dangerous he was then. He scared me alot more than Vinnie or Marty. We just might see that Richards come the second half, once he gets settled and comfortable here. I'm telling you,.. he can be really frightening for opposing teams.
Yup. He just seems to know exactly when to make certain moves. See: the fake slap-shot, change-the-angle roof shot the other night. He reads the defense so well and instead of just randomly trying a certain deke (cough Gaborik ) he takes what's given and turns it into a scoring chance. Such an efficient player in the offensive zone. He rarely turns the puck over because he made a wrong decision. Sometimes his pass or shot will be off the mark or he'll overskate a puck, but he does everything with a thoughtful purpose and he is DECISIVE with the puck. No hesitation in his game. As good as his contributions on the scoresheet are, I think he's equally important to the development of Stepan. Stepan reads the play so well also and learning how to take what's given and become a more efficient offensive-zone player from Brad Richards is invaluable.
The first time where I really thought it was going to be a highly possible scenario was toward the end of the 09-10 season. Imagining the possibilities of Richards being a Ranger was almost too good to be true with that talentless group. I remember thinking he would be the team's best center since pre-Vancouver Messier or end-of-career Gretzky, a depressing fact but also a tremendous change offensively.
He has lived up to that, and it's still almost too good to be true.
Even when Richards is home here on PEI in the Summer he keeps a fairly low profile and up till a couple of years ago he used to host a fairly large celebrity golf for charity event but he decided to do something different last Summer and donated a huge chunk of money on his own to a local hospital or something like that from what I can remember reading about .
Our Province only has 130,000 people on it and we are very proud of our boys in the NHL like Adam McQuaid and Brad Richards . It is great to see the warm reception that Ranger fans have shown him even though he started off a bit slowly . I don't think anybody on PEI will be angry if he brings that Olivia doll home for the Summer .
He's done great so far and he definitely makes us better but I wouldn't consider him our savior. Playoffs and regular season are very different atmospheres and it will be interesting to see how he performs. Not that I'm doubting him, but I'm saving my praise until I see the guy play a few months from now, although getting there is one of the hardest parts and I'm sure he'll provide a major contribution for us getting to the 83rd game.
