Not only does Richardson hustle, he is strong on his stick, fights hard along the boards and is positionally nearly perfect. He seems to have some offensive upside, but even if he never actuates it, he is a valuable hockey player.

If you don’t see that, you need to pay attention to more than just highlight worthy plays.

Enter: Little Big Man – A series I’m doing after every game, highlighting a player who made a strong, under the radar play that helped the team/game. I also post videos of the play.

Richardson got the first honor: http://lakingsnews.com/2009/10/11/little-big-man-brad-richardson/

Try to appreciate the little things. They often win hockey games.

Totally agree with 28 Kings, I’ve seen far too many lament the loss of that 2nd round pick.

If you want a line of knuckle draggers then waive him (personally I don’t ….and I have never seen a team have really sustained success with such a line over a long period or deep into the play offs). TM does not seem to favour this and wants to be able to roll 4 lines (at least some of the time)

If you want a 4th line that buzzes, agitates a little, keeps the puck up ice and chip in the odd goal (especially if a top line player is double shifting down there) then Richie fits, and he’s cheap and is probably better in that role than burning a year of eligibility on Schenn, Loki or the like who just won’t develop and get the minutes in that role. Plus Richie can help out SH, which relieves some of our scoring threats

If Richie plays 8-10 mins a game, ends year with 5-10 goals and 12-15 assists probably ON AVERAGE worth 61st pick. Yes you can get a real top six forward with that pick if you’re lucky but you can also get complete busts (we can all name those) so in reality someone who has a clear role on the team and does it is good down there

I really want to see Clune, Richie and Harrold play together.
That line has possibilites. If we’re leading in 3rd Harrold can move up and play some shifts on a scoring line to solidify things……If we’re down then Harrold or Clune sits and you double shift a Brownie, Frolov or Smyth to add some scoring punch. Only have Ivanans in the line up if the opposition dresses an ogre…let Clune handle the Averys of this world

I never see him take the body. Throwing a Kopitar style check doesn’t count buddy.

“his job is to get in on the forecheck and grind it out, which he has done quite well.”

Come on, give me a break, the guy wouldn’t get a chance on any other team in the league. I guarantee if DL puts him on waivers, nobody would pick him up. Lets be real here…

Yes, he takes the body.

Yes, he’s fought before, but it’s not his job to fight.

He can win draws,he a center/winger and that comes with the job.Can Westgarth?(No need to answer that one)

Yes, he’s an above average skater.

It’s not his job to crash the net, his job is to get in on the forecheck and grind it out, which he has done quite well.

That second round pick might be (and probably is) the most OVER VALUED pick in the history of the Kings. It’s was PICK 61…which is the LAST PICK OF THE SECOND ROUND, NOT pick 32. Big difference. If Peter Delmas (who was taken with that pick) becomes the next great goalie in 5 or 6 years, you’ll have a point.

With Harrold, I can understand why TM likes to play him. Do I like seeing in the line-up? Not really, but I do understand why he’s there, since he’s a versatile player and whatnot.

What has Richardson proven so far, seriously?? Does he score? Does he take the body? Does he drop the gloves?? Is he above average in the faceoff circle? Does he skate exceptionally well? Does he crash the net? Does he get under opposing players’ skin? What the hell does he do that warranted a 2nd round pick, let alone a spot on this roster??

Please tell me what he’s good at, maybe I’m just not seeing it…

Why do you have “mad” as (mad)? What did Dean actually say?