Kings forgo buyout, terminate Richards' contract

[CarltonTheBear]

[tweet]615190554322714624[/tweet]

Here's what his buyout will look like (per CapFriendly.com):

edit: New development on the next page http://www.tsn.ca/kings-terminate-richards-contract-1.321143

 

[L K]

Wait, so no-one wanted to eat 5 more years of 5.75M cap hit on a player who is likely done as an effective player.

I will say however that the Leafs should sign him to a 1-year deal now.  See if he rebounds and then trade him at the deadline.  If he sucks, who cares, he brings the team down too.
His buyout cap hit:
2015-2016 - $1,216,667
2016-2017 - $1,716,667
2017-2018 - $2,716,667
2018-2020 - $4,216,667
2020-2025 - $1,466,667

 

[Kin]

That's not actually that bad. I mean, those two years at 4.2 will hurt but outside of that it's hard to see why they wouldn't.

But yeah, offer him a one year deal.

 

[AvroArrow]

I'd say take a shot at both Richards and Parenteau if they come cheap enough.

 

[Tigger]

Sure, get going with the reclamation projects, although a cheap Richards might be a good pick up for a Chicago too.

 

[L K]

Sure, get going with the reclamation projects, although a cheap Richards might be a good pick up for a Chicago too.

The Leafs biggest advantage would be in signing him at a slightly inflated salary...and then retaining half his salary at the deadline in a trade.  You sell him on the larger opportunity he will have in Toronto to try and regain his form and promise that if the team isn't defying expectations that he gets moved to a contender at the deadline.

Richards playing 5-7 minutes on Chicago's 4th line probably doesn't put him in line for a pay day next year.

 

[Tigger]

Sure, get going with the reclamation projects, although a cheap Richards might be a good pick up for a Chicago too.

The Leafs biggest advantage would be in signing him at a slightly inflated salary...and then retaining half his salary at the deadline in a trade.  You sell him on the larger opportunity he will have in Toronto to try and regain his form and promise that if the team isn't defying expectations that he gets moved to a contender at the deadline.

Richards playing 5-7 minutes on Chicago's 4th line probably doesn't put him in line for a pay day next year.

Sure, that'd be the pitch, but look at it from his perspective he's made a lot of money already, even if he took a 1 mil contract a year for the next 5 years he's still making around 16 million with the buyout. I'd imagine championships matter more at this point though I don't know him either, maybe he'd be more inclined to try for more dough and the Leafs could probably get him that like you say, well, if he can still play.

 

[Kin]

Sure, that'd be the pitch, but look at it from his perspective he's made a lot of money already, even if he took a 1 mil contract a year for the next 5 years he's still making around 16 million with the buyout. I'd imagine championships matter more at this point though I don't know him either, maybe he'd be more inclined to try for more dough and the Leafs could probably get him that like you say, well, if he can still play.

I don't think it would be about the money though. I think it would be about genuinely getting his career back on track. For a guy who's already won multiple championships it's tough to see that as being what's going to primarily drive him.

I also think the Hawks are probably better served making sure each of their cap dollars goes towards someone who they're sure can play, rather than someone who got bought out precisely because he wasn't able to fill the role they'd be asking him to.

 

[Tigger]

I'm quite sure Chicago brass would have an inkling of whether he could play or not before they signed him. At this point getting his career back on track could be well served by being a part of a championship squad, it could also get obliterated in Toronto.

Mike is being bought out because of his cap hit relative to his play, he would probably be fine in a smaller role with a much smaller cap hit.

 

[Bullfrog]

A cap hit until 2025. That makes me giggle.

 

[Kin]

A cap hit until 2025. That makes me giggle.

I mean, at that point we're likely to be in the internment camps run by our Ape overlords anyways so there's really little downside.

 

[bustaheims]

A cap hit until 2025. That makes me giggle.

Highlights how poor a decision it was not to use a compliance buyout on him last summer. It was already apparent then that he wasn't going to be able to play at a level that was in line with his salary, and the Kings weren't exactly in a great cap position last summer, either.

 

[bustaheims]

frank_seravalli: Dean Lombardi said lgiving Mike Richards a 2nd chance could be worst decision he ever made. Buyout remorse: http://t.co/SMDKCrf1At #TSN

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

That's pretty damming, I wonder if Richards will respond.

 

[Kessel Run]

Read that article and it doesn't paint a pretty picture. Was his play really that bad, or just not worth the price? What's his issue, not training hard enough?

 

[bustaheims]

Read that article and it doesn't paint a pretty picture. Was his play really that bad, or just not worth the price? What's his issue, not training hard enough?

Yeah, it definitely doesn't sound good. The little I saw of him last season, he didn't look like he could keep up with the pace of the game anymore. I don't know that's because he's out of shape or just because of wear and tear. He was never the best skater, and, with the speed of the game now, he might just not have a place anymore. Since the Leafs aren't going to be contending next season, he might still be worth offering a cheap deal to as a reclamation project, but I'll also totally understand if they pass on him.

 

[Bullfrog]

The implication in the article is that he didn't train hard enough (or smart enough) and wasn't prepared. But it could be both his preparation and just not being able to keep up anymore.

 

[moon111]

There has to be something going on for someone to fall like that.  And that sort of thing you don't want in your club house.  Being naive to think it's not already there, but maybe not to the point it's become this type of problem.

 

[Bates]

Wouldn't be surprised to see him take a discount and sign in Winnipeg.  He likes the area and his family is nearby as well as significant other is a medical student there. 

 

[Sudafederov]

Can't help but think of a Gary Roberts interview on the radio I heard several months back.

He wasn't speaking about specific players, but he was mentioning that you can cheat a bit on your training and get by on your talent to about 30. Once you hit that age bracket, you will hit that wall and you can't cheat anymore.