The kid has already won everything there is for him to win. He's shown that his game is at another level where juniors just isn't a challenge for him anymore. He just wants out, which is why he looks disinterested a lot of the time.
Put him in Portland next year and I bet you'll see a completely different player.
That is a horrible trait for a hockey player to have. If that is the case, I hope they ship his ass out. I want Gerbe type players that give 100% every time they are on the ice, regardless of the situation.
That is a horrible trait for a hockey player to have. If that is the case, I hope they ship his ass out. I want Gerbe type players that give 100% every time they are on the ice, regardless of the situation.
I think its a matter of him toning down his aggresive play so he won't get suspended again. Also I think its him bored. I mean 70+ points in 56? games is impressive. I also think he is trying to work on his complete game. The kid will be very good. All I can say is good luck getting the puck away from him in the offensive zone.
Agree 100% - as talented as Spezza is, his willingness to compete and lead have always been questionmarks IMO. If it comes down to paying $7M for a #1 center, I'd rather take Richards in a heartbeat. He's not only a gifted offensive player but a proven leader in the lockerroom and playoff warrior.
IMO you're setting up a false choice between Spezza at 7mil and Richards at 7mil. I can't imagine Richards signing for just 7mil per if he gets to free agency. He currently makes 7.8mil (cap hit and actually salary). With a team like the Rangers likely in on the bidding. That number is more likely than not to go up.
Spezza is a 7mil cap hit the next 4yrs(actual salary; 8mil, 8mil, 5mil and 4mil is a little less). He will make a total of 25mil over the last 4 years of his deal. I would be shocked if Richards accepted a 4yr deal totalling that little (little being relative of course ).
I also think you're being a tad harsh in your assessment of Spezza as a player. Spezza is a point per game player in the regular season AND playoffs. I don't think you put up a ppg in the playoffs (46gms 14g 32a 46pts) without a willingness to compete.
Spezza is just hitting his prime years (28 at the start of next season) like many of our top players (Roy, Vanek, Pommer). He has played his entire career on a one line offensive team. Even in their strong seasons right after the lockout that was the case. If he came here. Spezza would be on the deepest offensive team he has ever played on. He would also have another top line center (Roy) as a teammate for the first time in his career (since the captains left that holds true for Roy as well).
With a 1-2 punch in the middle of Spezza/Roy and our winger depth. We would be an offensive powerhouse.
Spezza would be in a great position to succeed if he was brought here.
I'm not saying I want Spezza over Richards or that I wouldn't want Richards. I'm saying Spezza would be a much better pick up/player than you're portraying him to be.
I don't really get the Spezza hate. Ottawa has been a mess for years now, even when the locker room stuff wasn't being talked about by the media, and he's chomping at the bit to jump ship. Put him in a stable environment on a winning team and surround him by hockey players--he'll produce.
He's still got the fire. If he ever gets a 2nd chance on another team, he's going to be absolutely dangerous.
Does anyone else think Richards isn't worth this big payout he's going to get?
Once again, I'd rather roll Roy-Hecht-Gaustad down the middle and wait for the crop of free agent centers next year that ruin our cap situation longterm.
IMO you're setting up a false choice between Spezza at 7mil and Richards at 7mil. I can't imagine Richards signing for just 7mil per if he gets to free agency. He currently makes 7.8mil (cap hit and actually salary). With a team like the Rangers likely in on the bidding. That number is more likely than not to go up.
Spezza is a 7mil cap hit the next 4yrs(actual salary; 8mil, 8mil, 5mil and 4mil is a little less). He will make a total of 25mil over the last 4 years of his deal. I would be shocked if Richards accepted a 4yr deal totalling that little (little being relative of course ).
I can't argue with any of those points. If the salary cap does indeed increase (which, early in the season, was not what most were predicting), I'm sure the law of supply and demand may allow Richards to increase his $7.8M salary since Connolly's the next best UFA center this summer.
Indirectly, the contract extension for Murray as their GM should bode well for any potential trade involving Spezza - not only because of the history from 2009 summer when Murray was considering dealing him but it sounded like Melynk has accepted the necessity of a rebuild and would give Murray the freedom to deal Spezza for draft picks & prospects.
Everything I've heard/seen regarding his development thus far has been rock-solid. If the organization were able to ice a 100% home-grown top pairing at the blue line, we'd be at an enormous advantage. It's still unlikely at this point, but the organization needs to hold on to that possibility for at least another year.
Does anyone else think Richards isn't worth this big payout he's going to get?
Obviously, there will be some inflation on whatever he gets, simply because there's little competition in the UFA center market. However, there aren't that many 90-point centers who have been playoff MVPs on a championship team and are available without giving up tangible assets for. By all accounts, Richards is the complete package, not only statistically on the ice but within the locker room as an admired and vocal leader.
Obviously, there will be some inflation on whatever he gets, simply because there's little competition in the UFA center market. However, there aren't that many 90-point centers who have been playoff MVPs on a championship team and are available without giving up tangible assets for. By all accounts, Richards is the complete package, not only statistically on the ice but within the locker room as an admired and vocal leader.
You say he's a 90-point player, I say he's been under a point per game 8/11 seasons in his career.
You say he's a playoff MVP, I say he's yet to lift the team he's on now tot he next level.
I think Richards is good, don't get me wrong, but in the grand scheme of things I think he's closer to Briere good than he is to Crosby/Ovechkin good. And Briere good shouldn't get paid 8 million a year.
I'd rather invest that cap space in some good defenseman and save a chunk of it for a year from now when we're talking Myers extension and there's some #2 centers on the market. Not to mention, that's when we'll finally free up some of the big money we have invested in the wings.
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