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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
 Posted - 06/02/2011 : 13:34:26
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According to TSN, Dallas have confirmed that they will not be offering a contract to Richards this season, meaning he'll definitely play elsewhere. Where do you think his most likely landing spot is?
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Mario 66
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
360 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 13:42:05
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Bet you any amount of money I can predict his future team accurately by July 5th 
Rangers seem to be a front runner as Richards himself expressed that he enjoyed his time under Torterella.
Every journey begins with a single step. |
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Alex116
PickupHockey Legend
6113 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 14:30:16
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quote:
Originally posted by Mario 66
Bet you any amount of money I can predict his future team accurately by July 5th
Sure, i'll take that bet, only you have to bet me in return that the word "Leafs" is mentioned in here multiple times in the coming days / weeks!  |
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ryan93
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
996 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 17:48:07
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| I'm hoping it's the Rangers... |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 06/02/2011 : 20:49:03
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quote:
Originally posted by Alex116
quote:
Originally posted by Mario 66
Bet you any amount of money I can predict his future team accurately by July 5th
Sure, i'll take that bet, only you have to bet me in return that the word "Leafs" is mentioned in here multiple times in the coming days / weeks!
Ya, I gotta agree. This is going to have Leaf fans salivating. I would too!! I mean, I don't think there is a better fit for what TO needs in this years FA market. Heck, I would say there are few players in the league overall that would fit that hole as 1st line centre better than Richards.
I am also wondering how many newer members and guests will ask me what I think about it. Stupid bets with Slozo.......... |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 04:56:27
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First off, I am shocked. Not sure what is up with Dallas, but why they would want Richards to leave is anyone's guess . . . asking for too much during renegotiations? Personality/coach conflicts? Wants to move to a big market?
Either way, the saliva will flow in the big markets of what I agree might be a two horse race - Toronto and the NY Rangers. I would lay odds at 50/50 then for him coming to Toronto . . . we all know that he is EXACTLY what the Leafs need, sure - and I would think Toronto management would absolutely love to have him.
But that being said, Burke doesn't like overpaying unless . . . hmm. Well, scratch that, we have two overpaids in Komisarek and Phaneuf (albeit by trade) here . . .
But we also know New York would love a great center in Richards to compliment Gaborik, and they too are probably getting excited at this prospect.
Richards and Gaborik in NYC, or Richards and Kessel in TO.
Welcome to Leaf Rumour Wonderland, Brad Richards! 
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Guest2712
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Posted - 06/03/2011 : 05:48:09
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I'd love to have Richards in T.O., but he's probably gonna be asking for a 7 year deal (or one that will take him into retirement). If that's the case, I'd be a little hesitant.
Money isn't the issue. Just the length. I'd be happy giving him a 3 yr deal, with an option on a 4th.
There have to be other teams as well. You don't think LA or NYI will throw their hats in the ring? I beleive they have the cap space. Though I don't see him signing with NYI. |
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n/a
deleted
4809 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 06:19:40
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Others who might want him? Sure. But actually in the running? I doubt it.
LA have the cap room and a way to fit him in? I don't think so, from what I recall. Would Richards every go to the Islanders? Fat chance.
We should see soon though if that dirty rumour about Richards NOT wanting to play in the spotlight in Toronto was true or not (from about a year ago if I remember). We'll see.
And yes, I am dreaming of a solidly contending Leaf team with Richards in the line-up. Would change the whole dynamic.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
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Guest4312
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Posted - 06/03/2011 : 08:09:18
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toronto fans will be intimidating, intense and i think the pressure to sign with the leafs (not far from his hometown) will scare off brad richards. I see him going back to torts and maybe when his career is winding down he can have his stint in T.O when he isn't expected to carry the team on his back to a playoff series victory .... cuz if the leafs sign him for approx 7-8 mil on avg a yr thats what they'll be expecting next season
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 08:21:20
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Ya Slozo. your 50/50 comment is tough to agree with based on Richards openly stating he was not interested in TO. Not only that, but Burke is not an guy to over pay. I would say it more like 80/20 on Richards with the 20 being Richards in TO. Maybe even less than that.
There is no issue with the coach asCrawford was fired. The issue is the Dallas ownership is still up in the air so they are not interested in committing to any kind of long term contract with that kind money. I would assume on the lower end that Richards will demand $6 million/season and around a 5 year deal or longer. If there is not ownership stability, that deal won't happen in Dallas.
Let's not forget Richards "short list' he talked about last season around the deadline. It included Carolina, Tampa, and NYR. Both Carolina and Tampa have more cap space than TO and the Rangers are only $2 million higher in current salaries than TO. Tampa is likely a dark horse as they have no long term goalie, need to sign Stamkos this off season and they'll need to sign Hedman next off season. How much can they afford to pay Richards and keep their key young pieces??? Carolina has a lot of players to sign this year but I can see Richards there as a key piece and how great would a 1-2 punch of Staal and Richards be?? We also know that Sather would make a player a billionairre if he could, so there will be a pile of money thrown at Richards from MSG.
The final pickle on the plate is the NTC that is still in effect until July 1st. Dallas can trade the rights to another team that Richards is interested in talking to. If that is NYR or CAR, then TO might not even have a chance to speak to him and he could be signed before July 1st.
Not to be that guy who hate the Leafs, but from the logic I just don't see Richards as a Bud next year. |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 11:26:43
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LA have the cap room and a way to fit him in? I don't think so, from what I recall. Would Richards every go to the Islanders? Fat chance.
You know, its funny that a Leafs fan can be so derisive about a big UFA going to NYI...as if Toronto is that much of an improvement. NYI is quietly building a very solid team that should certainly be challenging for a playoff spot next year, and is likely to improve from there. The addition of someone like Richards would be huge, and NYI is exactly the sort of team that would throw out a ridiculous deal to land him.
Don't be surprised to see LA, STL in the mix, and honestly I would think that WIN would also be in there. Now that the team has stable ownership and are likely committed to winning, ATL/WIN has a ton of cap space and the need for a top-line centre. I think its far from a 50/50.
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Tampa is likely a dark horse as they have no long term goalie, need to sign Stamkos this off season and they'll need to sign Hedman next off season. How much can they afford to pay Richards and keep their key young pieces
Also - what do they need with 3 first line centres taking up (likely) 20M+ in cap space? Richards may want to go back, but I can't see it happening without them moving Lecavalier.
quote:
Not to be that guy who hate the Leafs, but from the logic I just don't see Richards as a Bud next year.
I also don't see him as a Leaf, try as Burke might to get him. I think someone will offer him either more money or longer term (or both), and there are other teams that are likely more desirable to play in. One thing that I worry about with Richards in TO - he has never played hockey in a "big hockey market", TB and DAL are easy places to stay out of the limelight and live life largely unnoticed. My first worry, before signing him to a giant contract, is would he be able to have success when he's in the constant spotlight of TO? |
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ryan93
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
996 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2011 : 20:13:21
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| I wouldn't count out the Lightning. I'm from Richards home town, and i've heard from a couple of sources in recent days that he wants to go back to TB. Personally i don't really see the fit in Tampa though, with fellow centers Lecavalier & Stamkos already on board...but who knows. |
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Richards not back in Dallas 
