BRAD RICHARDSON 
This season: 81 games, 11 goals, 16 assists, 37 penalty minutes, 12:51 average ice time.
The good: After a frustrating 2008-09 season, Richardson made the most of every opportunity given to him this season. He started out on the fourth line and, in short time, had elevated himself to a successful run on the first line with Anze Kopitar and Wayne Simmonds. Richardson is a tireless worker, a strong skater and a smart player who is able to play center and wing and mesh well with any linemates.
The bad: Richardson is a bit of a “tweener,” in that his skill level suggests he should play more than a fourth-line role, yet he doesn’t seem to have the consistent offensive ability to play a top-six role. Richardson was once a 40-goal scorer in junior hockey. If he could develop into even a 20-goal screr at the NHL level, he would make things much easier for the Kings.
Going forward: Richardson is an unrestricted free agent this summer, but it’s hard to imagine that the Kings wouldn’t want to bring him back. Finding the correct role will be the challenge. Should he be the leader of a strong fourth line? Can he handle a third-line “stopper role” with Handzus and Simmonds? Can he play his way into a top-six role?
Obviously an A. The most improved player on the team. Great hustle on every shift.
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I gained a whole new respect for B-RAD in the playoffs.
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Brad “Balls of Steel” Richardson
A+
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“Richardson is an unrestricted free agent this summer”
Isn’t he a restricted free agent? That’s what capgeek.com lists him as.
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Quisp Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
@Tompa,
Of course Rich knows things we can only dream of, but I too believe he’s an RFA.
I gave Richie an A.
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Are you sure he’s an UFA? All of the cap sites have him as an RFA with arbitration rights.
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Rich, what is a “20-goal screr?”
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people are throwing around A’s too easily.. i wish i had you all as teachers back in the day.
To me giving an A means that they did everything right this season and that you can find no fault with anything they did.
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insider#2 Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
@VanKingsFan,
A+ = 100%
A = 90% –>
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VanKingsFan Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@insider#2, Except there is no A+ option… so you have to adjust.
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Quisp Reply:
May 10th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
@VanKingsFan,
Personally, I grade relative to past performance and expectation. Think of it as a personal “curve.”
I gave Richardson an A because he exceeded all expectations by a mile. I gave Ivanans a high grade because his defensive play was much improved.
If Kopitar scores 20 goals, that’s an F. If Purcell scores 20 goals, that’s an A.
And of course there’s more than just points.
Darrell Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 1:09 am
@VanKingsFan, Ivanans and Jones are throwing off the curve.
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Hat go off topic here, but it has been reported that Ryan Smyth has broken his ankle at the World Championships http://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/13747931912
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He gets a B+ from me. Great improvement during the year. He was someone I noticed most every game. Has some room for growth, but is going to be a solid contributor on this team for years to come.
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OT:
What is this? Ryan Smyth injures ankle? More details please?
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B+
Like Zeus, Richie’s an important part to the puzzle! And like Zeus, there’s no youngster coming up that can fill the role of what he does as well as he does it…
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An A because I think he’s played the best season he’s got in him. If he can do the same thing over the next 5-7 years he’ll be very valuable.
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B+, with that grade weighed down because of his struggles the first two months.
He got much better when the calendar turned to December, and would’ve gotten an A if we hadn’t been so poor early on.
Very good player, and will have a great role if he keeps this form next season.
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If there is anyone who deserves an A (besides Juraj), it is BR. IMO, he was the only player who gave 100% every shift, every game.
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Not a top six forward but an excellent depth player working a role on the third or fourth line and stepping up to a first or second line spot when injuries require it or the team just needs to be shook up a bit.
Resign him, Lombardi!
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In a nutshell, Richie played well in every situation he was thrust into.
He (and Simmer) got Kopi back on track on the first line by keeping it simple. He developed good chemistry with DB and Stoll on the second line for his short stint there. He played well on the left side with Simmer and Zeus on the third line. And he did what was expected of him on the 4th line.
Huge props to Richie to working his a$$ off to become a better player. Looking forward to him taking the next step next year.
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I hated this vote. I like Richie; he was steady, a good team player, tireless worker and this will pay dividends hopefully for years to come for LA. I disagree, I think he has the potential and ultimately will be a top six, probably this next season. Ritchie came out of shell this year, recovered nicely from his injuries last season and put it all on the ice ever single night. He isn’t mistake prone and he’s a mucker, he has no problem fronting the net, going into the corners or standing up for his teammates.
Ritchie has plenty more to offer…..and will….He’ll also have to score more too.
“B”
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On his best day Richardson is a “tween” third liner on a bad team.
Richardson is not strong, not fast, not skilled and not tough.
Brad Richardson is the Peter Harrold of forwards. He can play hockey, he has sense, he is fit and he is competitive but ultimately useless to a team trying to do more than just make the playoffs… And don’t bring up his Junior Scoring record, he was a 5th round pick that didn’t make a WJC and didn’t put up numbers until he was an overager.
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GregDM Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 8:54 am
@gsmith,
He’s probably the fastest guy on the team! He was one of the few forwards who used his speed effectively to forecheck against Vancouver.
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Howe 9 summed it all up on the very first post.The most improved player on the team.At the start of the season Richardson wasn’t even on my radar.As the season went along,the Kings were able to plug him in almost anywhere and not be subject to a players limitations.
He has some speed,he can hit,and he’s responsible defensively.With more developement,I could see him sliding into a top 6 roll.At the very least a 3rd line player who could fill in on the top line for small stints,due to injuries.
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I think he only really played about 60 games since he was used sparingly until I believe early January went he scored that huge, game winner against the ducks so 27 pts is not bad.
Also, 20 goals would’ve been a real possibility if he had remained with Parse and Simmers for the most of the 2nd half of the season instead of being juggled around all 4 lines. I understand why TM did it to help jump start and balance the other lines, but it would’ve been nice to have seen that line remain intact for a while since there was so much chemistry right from the get go.
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B+……Loved his effort and drive.Need some more scoring from him.I believe with the right limemates and some ice time,he can produce.
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B+
I really wanted to give him an A but looking realistically at what he did, it was just short an A.
He improved mroe than any other player on offense this year. His hustle and play is what makes him a winning player. I hope next year he maks that jump to the net level and becomes a 20 goal scorer. His defensive play and PK ability make him extrememly valuable.
I love what he has become for the Kings and really hope he is back next year in a top 9 role.
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A
The guy played with about a thousand different team matess and looked good all but one play the whole season.
This guy is there 100% game in and game out. A model of consistency. Cup teams always have guys like Richardson.
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edwood2 Reply:
May 11th, 2010 at 10:59 am
@KC23, And I think blame should be shared on that one.
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Nice season on a Kings team but still has a lot to prove.
On a Detroit team this guy barely makes the 4th line and thats the difference between being a legit cup contender and a bubble team.
No more Parses, Purcells and Mollers, I want to see a guy like Richie be the worst player on our team and have a difficult time cracking the lineup. When that happens 75% of DL’s job will be complete and we the fans will all be very very happy.
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The first 20 games Richie sucked and i put him in the same boat as purcell and jones but wow was i wrong! He totally changed from a 4th line nobody,(clune) to a HUGE asset for the Kings and i think he would fit in great with Zues and Simmonds. it really doesn’t madder if Richie can play like he did after December it doesn’t madder what line he is on he will work and make things happen by far most improved and if he can put another season together like this one i think i am stuck between Zues and Richie for most underrated player
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