Mike Richards will NOT be bought out

[plug]

Sure they are. They think that because they won two cups in the last 3 years that they can just stick with their current roster and everything will work out in the end. You can't just decide that you've found the winning formula and stop changing. The fact that they won each of those times could have been just as much luck as skill. You can't only consider the past when you make decisions for your team. You also have to consider the future and pay attention to the warning signs when they pop up and Mike Richards has warning signs flashing all over. I wouldn't be surprised if we were all criticizing them for not buying him out by the end of next season and I'll guarantee you that in two years he'll be crippling them.

I don't know, 2 out of 3 years is pretty impressive, personally I think it's good to leave the great mix of youth and experience together. They kept Stevens on, the cap is rising.. Why not? The teams that have not been able to repeat are the ones that had to change because of the cap... At least in my view.

[Atomic Wedgy]

Sure they are. They think that because they won two cups in the last 3 years that they can just stick with their current roster and everything will work out in the end. You can't just decide that you've found the winning formula and stop changing. The fact that they won each of those times could have been just as much luck as skill. You can't only consider the past when you make decisions for your team. You also have to consider the future and pay attention to the warning signs when they pop up and Mike Richards has warning signs flashing all over. I wouldn't be surprised if we were all criticizing them for not buying him out by the end of next season and I'll guarantee you that in two years he'll be crippling them.

I'm not saying that keeping Richards on the roster is a good move. Prolly a bad move in fact. However, this management team has put together a team that has won the Cup twice in three years. They seem to know what they are doing. If they want to come and manage the Flyers, I'd be all for it. Calling the Kings management stupid is hyperbole at its finest.

[Zorro]

The contract is horrible and the Kings know it!! But Mike Richards is a part of that teams core group along with Kopitar, Brown, Doughty, Carter, and Quick.. Tough to just buy a guy out like that..

I also believe he could be traded, it will be tough, but it could happen..

[sammynos]

Sure, his hit is high, but he brings a lot to that team off the ice. His leadership and willingness to play in any role asked is a huge asset. How many former captains are willing to play as a 3rd/4th line guy when they used to be THE guy?

Not saying that his contract doesn't hurt them in a few seasons, but with the youth that the Kings are in the process of developing, Richards will be a huge asset to their core of leadership.

[lucifer316]

How many former captains are willing to play as a 3rd/4th line guy when they used to be THE guy?

basically every player who goes to the Rangers for their retirement contract

[MXHockey]

I'm not saying that keeping Richards on the roster is a good move. Prolly a bad move in fact. However, this management team has put together a team that has won the Cup twice in three years. They seem to know what they are doing. If they want to come and manage the Flyers, I'd be all for it. Calling the Kings management stupid is hyperbole at its finest.

True, and five years from now with inflation and an increasing cap, Richards' cap hit won't look that bad in his final years.