The Kings started two days’ worth of exit meetings today, and for at least one player, the meeting is bound to go better than it did last year. A year ago, Brad Richardson wasn’t shy about telling Terry Murray, in his exit interview, that he felt he wasn’t being used properly and that he thought he could contribute more. Richardson was injured for part of last season and finished with zero goals and five assists in 31 games. Well, this season Richardson got more of a chance to prove himself, and he did. I would consider Richardson the Kings’ most-improved player, after a season in which he had 11 goals and 16 assists in 81 games but, perhaps more importantly, was the most consistent Kings player in terms of bringing energy and grit. Reporters joked with Richardson that this year’s exit meeting would probably have a bit of a lighter tone…
RICHARDSON: “Yeah, I think so. I don’t know if it could get much worse than last year’s. I think, for the most part, it was a pretty successful year for myself, personally. I’m happy with it, so we’ll go into those meetings and I’m sure there will be a little lighter attitude this year, hopefully.”
Question: Where do you think the expectation level for this team will be next season?
RICHARDSON: “We haven’t gotten into those details, but we kind of broke through this year and had that year, and now it’s going to be expected that we’re going to be a good team. That’s what we want to put on ourselves. We all kind of see our potential and know where we can get, so I’m sure that will all be discussed. Me personally, I know I can still get to the next level, and I’m looking forward to having the summer to work on that, to get stronger and come back and be ready.”
Question: You had a lot of different roles this season. Is there any one that you preferred more than the other?
RICHARDSON: “Well, if I could pick a role, I’d pick the first line. (laughs) That might be the most enjoyable. I was kind of lucky. I started on the fourth line and I got moved into different roles. That was obviously a lot of fun and a great treat. I’d say, I play a lot with Simmer. I don’t know how many games we played together, and I thought we played pretty well together, but I can’t really say what was more enjoyable. I enjoy playing every role. Obviously you always want to try to expand your role as much as you can. If I could pick a spot, it would probably be on the left side with Kopi or whoever.”
Same here, Richie.. Same here.
How about a line of Richardson-Kopi-Scot. I’d be good for about 5 goals in a season.
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Richardson got heart! One of my favorite players.
Hum, site not completely fixed yet..still need to fill in the above info. I’m sure that will be fixed eventually too. Thank you Rich.
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“If I could pick a spot, it would probably be on the left side with Kopi or whoever.”
Ummmm… Yeah, ME TOO!
GO KINGS! GO MONARCHS!
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Richie’s an RFA, right? Which means he’s ours unless DL decides to get rid of him…
…Yeah, he’s ours.
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Hey! Thank you for the blog…. awesome!
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I agree with Rich that Richie was our most improved player. I loved him in game one and in game 88. He still has a little ways to go, but he is going in the right direction.
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does not matter which role, just as long as Brad brings the same energy and tenacity it will help us win games. its nice to have a player like Brad Richardson.
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What could have been if TM had gone back to
Richie – Kopi – Simmonds
Smyth – Stoll – Brown
Fro – Zus – (Segal) Parse
And a 4th line with the new guys?
Love Richardson.
Way to play, all season long.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:06 am
@Cristobal, Segals’ in Dallas, and you left off Williams.
With the success of the William-Kopitar-Smyth line before the injuries, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see them start next year all on the same line.
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Steve McQueen Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:06 am
@Cristobal, Segals’ in Dallas, and you left off Williams.
With the success of the William-Kopitar-Smyth line before the injuries, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see them start next year all on the same line.
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I still remember when Brad got his 1st goal this season, it was December 1st at Anaheim. It was a deflection in front on a point shot from JJ and it was a game winner ! And ever since then the guy was a contributing factor to the success of this team. Here’s hoping that he scores 22 goals next season that would double his current output. Thanx for the lights out attitude you displayed most of the season Brad !
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Anjin Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 6:20 am
@puck73,
That was one of my favorite games all year because he scored the game winner right after Hayward finished talking about how poorly Richie had performed in the NHL as well as highlighting the fact that he hadn’t even scored a goal yet…….Thanks again for the karma payback, Hayward
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raunq12 Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 9:34 am
@Anjin,
Hayward is a clown!
Richie rules!
I think he was the one most consistent King in the playoffs
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puck73 Reply:
April 30th, 2010 at 9:50 am
@raunq12, Ya know what else is funny? How bout when Hazy and Ahlers were both wearing their Stanley Cup Rings when Kopi and the Kings won in the shootout at Anaheim. Gee..you dont think that was intentional,and sour grapes do ya considering they hadnt worn them all year ? lmfao !!!
Cristobal,
I like the first two lines. I’m still shocked that DL placed Segal on waivers. That guy could have helped the kings in the playoffs with his big physical body.
No more frolov please. Same goes for Williams.
Third line should be: Clune-Handzus-Parse
Fourth line should be: Tough guy-Schenn-Westgarth
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Anonymous Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 9:36 am
@khanon, awful third and 4th lines in my opinion… just awful.
Richie – Zeus – Williams
4th line, too soon to tell. Holloway will get a shot, Lewis will get a shot, Elkins maybe, Schenn maybe, Westgarth, CLune, Cliche, New guys??
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Richardson has made himself an important player on this team and a role model with his consistent effort and improved skill level. I hope his exemplary effort inspires the team even more to work as hard as he does on every shift next year.
On a sadder note–and since richie has become one of my favorites on this team–early in the above article I found myself pulling for him to pass the “obvious” test. Obviously he didn’t pass, sneaking in two obviouslys at the very last possible moment of the interview. Oh well.
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I found myself sitting next to Richie’s dad at one game in which Richie scored the game winner. Nice people…
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The only thing I have to disagree with, is when Richie says “I was kind of lucky”. Just like a hockey player to understate what he accomplished. Richie earned everything good that happened for him this past season. His hard work, drive and determination is what put him in a position to succeed. You can leave “lucky” for the fans as we were the ones who were lucky to watch him grow into one hell of a hockey player who was going to leave everything he had out on the ice on every shift.
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Deadmarsh Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
@HawKings, Well said well said!
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gr81scores Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:01 am
@HawKings, I agree! Nothing lucky about it when you work hard every game on every shift. That’s something you just can’t teach. Have a nice summer and thanks for showing heart EVERY GAME.
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GoKings09 Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 1:42 am
@HawKings,
I agree with you that Richie worked incredibly hard to get the results that he had this year. However I think when he says he was lucky this year it is in reference to getting the opportunity to be used in different roles(due mainly to injuries) and have a chance to play with some players like Kopi or Simmonds rather than grinding on the 4th line.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 10:12 am
@HawKings,
How does a hockey player say that without coming across as arrogant and distant? You are RIGHT in saying that, but from a P.R. point of view it is the wrong thing to say…
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I saw one bad play from him all season long that i can remember. Very few bring it game after game and shift after shift like Richardson.
Nice season indeed.
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..Richardson is type of player Kings really need.
THE KEY WORD SPIRIT …
man look what is going on one east. MOntreal in …
HIGH SPIRIT…
THAt’s what KINGS Need.
Ricardson..we need A FEW MORE PLAYERS LIKE YOU.
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Anonymous Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 5:28 am
@flex,
Well, as far as his speed and ‘jump’ goes, I couldn’t agree more. If we could get one but with maybe a bit more scoring touch that would be heavenly.
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number 6 Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 5:29 am
@flex,
Well I agree wrt his speed and jump and consistency. A bit more scoring touch would be even better.
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Hey! How’d you like to be a Caps fan right about now? Yikes! I can’t imagine what THEIR bandwagon fans are saying after reading what ours said after losing round 1 with the record the Kings had and lesser expectations, to be sure. I’ll bet it’s ugly out there…
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Richardson was this season and should continue to be a valuable player for years to come. His skating technique is not particularly good but he seems to have natural speed. He is one of the faster forwards on a team that is lacking in ideal team speed.
DL was much maligned for trading a second rounder for him but as I pointed on this site before Richardson’s breakthrough with the team, that deal was made at a time when the Kings were very thin down the middle. His speed is probably more of an assest on the wing but in any case that deal looks mighty good right now.
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Richardson’s speed is an assest. He lacks really good skating technique but seems to be one of those guys with natural speed. We need to keep him.
DL was much maligned after trading a second rounder for him but as I pointed out before Ritchie’s “breakthrough” that deal was made when the Kings were much thinner at center. His speed is probably more valuable on the wing but in any case that deal looks really good now.
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I really like the way Ritchie stepped up this year.
After last season, I didn’t think there wa any way he was coming back. Glad I’m not the coach or GM.
He played a valuable trole for us all season. I can’t wait to see the continued improvement next year.
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Do they Televise the Monarchs games anywhere?
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LBlocal Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 7:36 am
http://ahl.neulion.com/team/console.jsp
Located within the AHL webpage.
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Zuesduece Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
@LBlocal, Great! Thanks a million!
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Did anyone happen to watch the “Highly” touted Dman from Washington hand Montreal the game winner when he went after the puck carrier and took himself completely out of the play and left his goaltender out to dry, Greene looked absolutely befuddled all night and made so many poor decisions, just because he can shoot the puck from the blueline does not make him a Norris type Dman. He will never be as good as Drew is right now. Doughty maybe only in his 2nd season but he is a Super Star in the making and not very far from it right now. If he isn’t the Norris Trophy winner I’ll be surprised.
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Scot Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 8:23 am
@Old Time Hockey,
You’re right about that.. I have always felt Mike Green was just a little bit overrated because of his offensive talent.. You hear sometimes he is “one of the best dmen in the NHL” … That may be, but he looks more like a forward to me than a dman.. He indeed tried to do too much in last night’s game.
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Dan H. Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 8:51 am
@Old Time Hockey,
Those on this board would refer to that as a “soft goal”. Goalie would be 100% to blame if it was Quick.
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BringBackTheShieldJersey Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 9:07 am
@Old Time Hockey, be prepared to be surprised; it’s gonna be Duncan Kieth.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 10:16 am
@Old Time Hockey,
How right you are!
I just remember how many times all of us have come down on the Kings’ D-men for making mistakes such as giving up the puck in a vulnerable place or making an ill-advised pinch…
In this case Greene makes a great hit but, at the same time, loses the game and the series!
Say it after me:
O-VER-RA-TED!
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I agree with everyone above, Richardson was outstanding for us this year. Easily one of my favorites. In my opinion, not only was he the most improved, he was the best forward all year. In his role, he made the biggest impact on a consistent bases. You can’t ask for more than that. Thank you Brad. We want you back with a multi-year contract. Have a good summer and we’ll see you in a few months expecting even more.
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Richardson was the most consistent playoff performer of the forwards easily. I have no complaints with his play or work ethic. Good guy to keep around.
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Richie, Zus, and Simmers make up one of the better third lines in the league I would say. Would like to see that line stay together.
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