The Kings’ meeting with Brad Richards (and agent Pat Morris) in Toronto included Tim Leiweke, Dean Lombardi, Terry Murray, John Stevens, Jamie Kompon, co-director of amateur scouting Michael Futa, scouting operations coordinator Lee Callans and vice president of communications and content Michael Altieri, who helped spearhead major parts of the presentation effort, which included extensive videos. There’s no word (and obviously no deadline) on when Richards will make his decision. According to reports, Richards is also meeting with representatives from the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning, and possibly others.
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Woahh all hands on deck I see… Go get em!
[Reply]
DaveinSD Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@Crownme87, well the good news is that DL is in Toronto and I have to think he is working hard on getting Doughty signed. If not then DL DO NOT come back to LA! Only kidding…a little bit!
[Reply]
Okay, I won’t hold my breath…
[Reply]
lets not all focus on one person lets get soemone else cause we lost there now lets focus on the #2 LW come on DL get someone else
[Reply]
Danny Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Unless there is a trade in the mix, that is exactly what has happened, we are ALL IN for Richards….best FA’s at wing are just about off the board…Cole to Mtl now too…
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@Danny, well if we can get a trade thats great then
[Reply]
Wow!! Lots of the big dogs are there..out of those teams, seems likely that he’ll either come with the Kings or the Flyers! Interesting that Jagr signed with them Flyers! Very surprised by that one..thought for sure he would return to the Burg!!
[Reply]
Shakes Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@IwantTheCup,
it’s kinda interesting b/c the Burg took back their offer right before noon because they didn’t like the fact that he was shopping them around. I’m sure Pens knew he wasn’t going to sign with them and took back the offer as a way of trying to maintin some dignity. Sorta like breaking up with your gf before she has a chance to breakup with you
[Reply]
Telos Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@IwantTheCup, Flyers are impossible. They spent too much money today, with Schenn they will be within $1 million to over the cap. Many are speculating that they need to dump a contract now. They won’t even call Richards.
[Reply]
ULVkingsfan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@Telos,
Exactly. The Flyers only have 931K in cap space now, and they still have to sign Simmonds! Forget about Richards to Philly it aint gonna happen
[Reply]
bmova Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:39 pm
@ULVkingsfan, I wonder if DL should backdoor Holmgren and make an offer to Simmonds…
Gotta love the way the Kings handle these things. You can tell they’re serious. Getting a presentation with video and the range of people involved in the discussion then seeing Leafs GM sends in a rep because he’s in Kandahar! What the hell’s he thinking!?
[Reply]
Bluecoconuts Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:28 pm
@dMan, He’s thinking that spending time with the troops on Canada Day is more important than a free agent. I respect that.
Besides, the Rangers meet with Richards last, and basically get the chance to match or beat any offer made. Who cares about him, get Doughty signed. We should have grabbed Erik Cole but it looks as Montreal will get him.
[Reply]
gralx Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:38 pm
@Bluecoconuts, I disagree. He has a job to do that he is paid for. Today is one of the 2 most important days of the year for his position. He could go next week and it would still have the same meaning to the troops.
[Reply]
MJ Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@Bluecoconuts, I agree with getting Doughty signed. We have depth at center and defense. We could have made lucrative offers to Leino and or Cole and had some serious depth on our squad. He are pulling another Kovy situation and counting on a over priced 34 year old deal that will break our budget in the coming years.
[Reply]
MJ Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@MJ, *We are pulling…
Why did they have to send Kompon. Nooooooooooooooo. Now there’s no way Richards signs with us. Komponnnnnnnnnnnnn
[Reply]
Was Bailey there too? They should have taken Heidi too.
[Reply]
Kopykopykopy Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@Who Knows?, YES they shoulda brought Heidi. HELL YEA
[Reply]
GoKingsGo Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@Who Knows?, Heidi might help, but having Rich Hammond there would surely seal the deal at the spot. lol
[Reply]
tuan jim Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:08 pm
@GoKingsGo,
Are you nuts? Hammond in the room? He looks like a sexual deviate!
If Richards saw him he’d run screaming to the Rangers, much less play for L.A..
I get uncomfortable just posting here.
[Reply]
Brian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Who Knows?,
Really like the idea of bringing Heidi! What guy wouldn’t respond favorably to her? She’s part of the family!
I’m surprised they didn’t have player reps accompany like Brownie.
[Reply]
Gary livingston Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Brian, Yeah, except she has a recent DUI and is in no way a part of the kings organization really. She’s a tv talent tied to fox and freelances as necessary. Not much of a kings spokesperson. Not to mention brad Richards could land hotter at any time..if you want to focus on decisions made solely with ones dick. Haha.
[Reply]
broncokings Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 5:40 pm
@Gary livingston, LOL thats great
Tookie Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Who Knows?, If Bailey were there he’d already be signed.
[Reply]
JDB Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Who Knows?, Was Bailey there too…! I just laughed out loud in the office. Man that is funny. I can just see him standing there next to the video screen. Funny stuff.
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@JDB, mee too…my buddy just asked me what was so funny?
[Reply]
Benjos12 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@JDB, I just laughed out loud very loudly at the office right now…..that is a great visual
[Reply]
You can write off our signing BR. JK probably killed that deal along with our PP.
[Reply]
crashin' da net Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:35 pm
@DesertKing, beat me too it. Unless Dean said “sign right now and you can watch me throw Kompon out the window” (just as a signing bonus).
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@DesertKing, haha, you guys guys are comedians. is this actually happening? how are the kings going to afford this?
[Reply]
Hey…. You can’t say we aren’t going after our guy. That is an awesome group of Kings executives to pitch our team to Richards. I am feeling pretty good about this…….
[Reply]
GoKingsGo Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@King of sorrow, I would agree with your feeling. I feeling a bit lost right now, I don’t recall when was the last time our front office is trying so hard to WIN!!! I can’t wait till the season begin!
[Reply]
Wow, going in with there guns drawn.
[Reply]
Ok so IF we land him does that mean MIKE Richards gets moved to the wing? There’s no way we roll with 3 first line centers…
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:29 pm
@brian, I think Brad Richards would play L.W. because he has more experience there than Mike Richards. Also Mike is better defensivly.
[Reply]
MacSwede Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@brian, No, Brad can play the wing..
[Reply]
Mickey Keenan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@brian, BR has played LW for years in Tampa and some in Dallas…. he plays both Center and LW.
[Reply]
Everything but the Kitchen sink….LOL
[Reply]
Also Joel Ward to the Caps for 4 yrs, 3mil per year.
[Reply]
No Heidi? What were they thinking?
[Reply]
FiG17 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:42 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
I’m a girl… so the Heidi craze has never appealed to me and has kind of annoyed me… but I laughed at this.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@FiG17,
Ok, not getting sexist, but can we use you then?
I know, it all goes back to cash & perks.
[Reply]
JackKent Cooke Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@FiG17,
Nothing to gained by fighting biology…
Most decisions are made with the heart, not the head.
[Reply]
FiG17 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:00 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
Well… calling it the “heart” is being PG… haha.
MJ Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:51 pm
@FiG17, I’m a guy, and you just don’t see that many women in hockey! I love Heidi!!!
I laughed too!
[Reply]
I would love to see that presentation
Video, coaches, big wigs,
Rich can u get us that ????
Ok so how long do we wait to go talk to Simon gagne
[Reply]
BigKidNick Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@Speedy,
McDonalds…Apple…Mercedes…Brad Richards.
[Reply]
Heshoots_Hescores Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@BigKidNick, Thank you for the Entourage reference! That’s exactly what I pictured happening :/ Hope this works! Can’t wait for new Entourage or Kings season, fml…. Holla!
[Reply]
Keeper Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@BigKidNick, Too funny! They should have watched that episode before the meeting!
[Reply]
King of sorrow Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:51 pm
@Keeper, What makes you think the didn’t…..?
Looks like we’re putting all our eggs with BR. Lots of free agents off the board.
[Reply]
I think he will pick NYR or Tampa, he wants to be a leader and does not want to play LW. GO KINGS Go
[Reply]
He is good friends with Vinny LC in Tampa. Hope that doesn’t sway him in that direction..
[Reply]
Rich,
There is a report that the Rangers have negotiated the right to match anybody else’s offer for
Brad Richards. Have you heard any of this, and how would that work since his is a UFA???
Thank you and keep up the good work.
[Reply]
Tmik Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@Kings Fan in Vegas,
He’s a free agent, anyone can match anyone’s money as long as they have it avaliable.
[Reply]
Kings Fan in Vegas Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:37 pm
@Tmik,
I know he is a Free agent, the wording on the NHL.com blog is that the Rangers have worked out an agreement to match anyone else’s offer. Like they somehow acquired Right of First Refusal. If you are an UFA, why would you do that? That’s why I was inquiring. Seems like Richards would be giving up some of his negotiating power that way.
[Reply]
SuperSonic420 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:16 pm
@Kings Fan in Vegas,
It just means the Rangers go last with full knowledge of everyone else’s offer. If BR is true to what he says, its not just about the money, but the enviroment as well. I’m sure knowing Torts puts them as the front runner at this point more than anything anyway. Tampa won’t have the money if and when they sign Stamkos. The Leafs will not be great with him for at least a few more years. I think its pretty much down to us and the Rangers, giving a slight edge to NY.
how big is that office???
[Reply]
Who Knows? Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:30 pm
@Stuart, Thats what I was thinking.
[Reply]
16,005 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Stuart,
We should have sent Ari Gold (Entourage) too!!! He would have gotten the deal done…. LLLOYYYYDDDDD!!!!
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:54 pm
@16,005, BOOOM! wanna hug it out you little *****? Ari would have made the deal.
[Reply]
spidey35 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@16,005,
That was funny. Thanks for the laugh
[Reply]
Okay, frankly, this is the way I look at it, this deal, for my liking or not, all comes down to year and cap figure. There is no way DL would sign BR and lose DD as a result so I am not even worried about that. He clearly has a number for DD in mind and knows he has a number for BR as well. I dont buy he is going to wait nearly as long for BR as he did for IK. So, my worry, years. BR is 31. Lets assume he has four more (that is pushing it btw) really good years left. That lines us up well for our cup run. However, if we need to sign him to more than a four years contract then his cap hit could become a detriment down the line. So I want him but nore more than say 4/24 or something like that. If he wants more than pass
[Reply]
boxtime17 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@Orphios,
Are you kidding? he’s not gonaa sign for 4/24….. I’m expecting at least more like in the 5/35 range based on the salries everyone has been getting so far. If he wants to play here he’ll go for a bit less. LA will be a great play to place for the next 6 years!
[Reply]
Brian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@boxtime17,
Even if we lose Doughty, it could be a blessing in disguise. Opens up a spot for Voynov (who’s cheaper), plus we get some nice compensatory picks if he signs for big bucks with someone else. Doughty’s reported contract demands are insane (wants 7 mil a year), which is even more crazy for a player (like Simmer) who took a step back last season. He takes bad penalties and made some bad decisions with the puck last year that really hurt us. His commitment to staying in shape and walking the line have always been questioned. Maybe he’s one of these guys in the room that’s disturbing the culture?
If we pile that money into Richards instead, I think he makes a bigger impact than Doughty for the next 5 years or so and we’re able to internally fill the hole he left with an area of organizational depth.
[Reply]
im surprised they didnt bring heidi in, the closer
[Reply]
Looks like another Kovlachuk debacle!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@Niidan, Not at all. I think they gave him one pitch and that’ll be it. They almost certainly took the “but you can win the cup” angle which neither Toronto or NY can.
[Reply]
cole to canadians, 4 yrs 18 mil. there goes another one
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@kingsfaninSB, WOW, that’s a lot of dough. Too much IMO. I think DL is going hard after Brad Richards, and if he doesn’t land him he’ll fill any needed spots via trade. It’ll cost us players but save us money compared to signing free agents.
[Reply]
kingsfaninsb Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:30 pm
@CB14, all these guys are getting paid more than their worth. I trust DL. He has a plan
[Reply]
Cole in Montreal
[Reply]
Cole to Montreal. Hope that DL brought enough people to sway Richards or there may not be much left to add.
[Reply]
Dean ‘all eggs in one basket’ Lombardi!!
[Reply]
rats another one gone jezzzz TSNBobMcKenzie Bob McKenzie
Cole with MTL, four years, $18M. Done
[Reply]
It seems like we’d have a hard time getting any wingers if we got Brad Richards. Cap space. No DD?
[Reply]
Im surprised they are making such a big push, they must be confident he will be willing to play wing. I just hope its not an all or nothing like last year with Kovalchuk. Still need to get Doughty signed though, that concerns me, rather see Doughty signed today first personally.
[Reply]
sounds like The Decision 2k11
[Reply]
What, no Jay Flats?
[Reply]
spidey35 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@Capt Jam, Please no, that would kill the deal. “c’mon Kings fans, lets make some noise” OMG, that even kills me.
[Reply]
Sebastian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@Capt Jam, hahaha, and then they throw tennis balls all around the office and launch some tshirts too. the ice crew would be pretty convincing.
[Reply]
They want to announce both DD and BR at the same press conference. My guess: DD’s deal is done.
[Reply]
Kings Fan in Vegas Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@Krusher,
I think that might be the case today. I had an interesting chat with the Sales department of the Kings today regarding season tickets. I told them I wanted to see what happened first with DD and BR before I made my commitment, they replied it wasnt a problem with DD. That makes me think the deal has already been agreed to, they are just waiting to announce, possibly in conjunction with BR?
[Reply]
MacSwede Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:45 pm
@Krusher, I hope your right..
[Reply]
Waste of time. They should have been working on Cole. We all know Richards is not coming to LA.
[Reply]
jc_9 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:39 pm
@jc_9, EDIT: Nevermind. I wouldn’t give Cole what he got from MTL so that would have been a waste of time too.
[Reply]
spidey35 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:58 pm
@jc_9, I totally agree. Thats an overpay…..
[Reply]
CB14 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@jc_9, Who’s We? It’s not DL, RH, TL, TM, JS, and the rest of the Kings Management team. Mabye you know something they don’t.
[Reply]
saw the Kings crew on arrival the doors were locked and they could not gain access in the building without waiting not cool.
[Reply]
DBking Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:53 pm
@ose, What’s even more not cool is that you were standing there watching them wait!
[Reply]
Sounds cheesy and I really don’t see Richards signing in LA, but I’d be glad to be wrong.
[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:47 pm
@Dave, The Kings presentation included a photo shopped video of BR coming through those cheesy castle doors.
That alone should seal the deal.
[Reply]
DL’s team is in the agents office now.
[Reply]
Kingsfanone Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@LA_1968,
They are having lunch at the Irish pub just outside the office doors. TSN Gino Reda is stalking them.
[Reply]
It’s Kovalchuk all over again, wasting time on one guy when we could be getting the players we need
[Reply]
jc_9 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:41 pm
@Michael, Agreed. This B Richards thing is a complete waste of time. We should be looking at players we could actually get to come here.
[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@jc_9, This is a TL move not a DL move.
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:56 pm
@fuzzerson, isnt that what was suspected last year about Kovapuke? That it was TL thing…
Bo Siemsen Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Michael,
Dont agree. Last year we were desperate to add a big time forward and get some additional scoring, at the same time there were questionmarks on the D. This year is different, the team is set at D and G. We have added a quality player in Mike Richards and if we can add Brad too I really think this team is set to be a top-3 team in the West. I dont think there are a lot of players on the UFA market who could help us significantly, other than Brad Richards.
Brad Richards or bust. I think adding Brad means a big run at the cup.
[Reply]
DBking Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@Michael, I wold agree with you if Cole signed for 3.5M. 4.5M is outrageous for a guy thats basically a .5pt/gm player throughout his career.
[Reply]
something tells me they already have something established with Gange so they could make time to push for BR, out of all the teams chasing him I’d say our line up looks the most promising
[Reply]
When the dust settles and the vanquished have been removed from the BR field of battle, I hope and pray that Leino and DD still sign with us. Kovi Part Deux.
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@DesertKing, Yeah… I’m a little worried myself. But I don’t see DL making room for BR by trading DD for a bunch of stuff.
[Reply]
Just read that Richards wants 8 year/55mil. comes out to something like 6.8m a year. And with DD asking for kopi’s salary or higher, signing both would leave us with 3 cents left to sign others.. (4m)
[Reply]
Stuart Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@Mikey, LOL!!! we better not have any injuries this year!
[Reply]
DenKingsFan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:43 pm
@Mikey, at least 6.8 is reasonable and not the 8-8.5 some of us were predicting for the last few days
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@Mikey, Yeah, a contract through age 39 doesn’t sound good to me. At all.
[Reply]
Mikey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:49 pm
@Mikey, im worried about what’s going to happen when it comes tine to extend quicks contract.. and I thought that the stress would end with the end of the season. Pff
[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Mikey, Lets see you get rid of Bmyth and Stoll, that is 10M in cap room. You add DD and BR for about 13M between the two, you only add 3M to the cap.
[Reply]
Mikey Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@fuzzerson, hmm.. so that would mean loti would center 4th, BR the 3rd, MR the 2nd, kopi the 1st. We will miss out on the shootout top right corner like a boss!
[Reply]
From Helene Elliot on twitter
Leiweke on Kings’ presentation to B Richds: “Went well. He was very impressed. Our team did the best player presentation I have ever seen.”
[Reply]
Brian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@KH,
Nice! Good find!
[Reply]
Owen Nolan wants back into the NHL?? he’s not just over the hill, he’s at the base of the other side.
[Reply]
I wonder if Drew has already agreed to an extension. Or, maybe, he told Lombardi he’d sign for less if they could nab Brad Richards. I can hope. Can’t I?
[Reply]
So….we have Hexy and a secretary madly placing phone calls to agents back in LA? What are they saying “Well, everyone else is kinda busy at the moment so I can talk numbers, years or anything else, but hey wouldn’t your left wing love to come and live in Manhattan Beach?”
Sigh.
[Reply]
Erik Cole 4.5M! WOAH! Upshall 3.5M! WOW! What’s Richards going for? 15M???
[Reply]
The TSN guys are talking up Buffalo. I would laugh if BR signs there. They reloaded this season but the Kings are ready to win now.
[Reply]
Stop the Puck Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:48 pm
@SaveByCechmanek,
ehrhoff is going to be the highest paid player in the NHL next season. lol
[Reply]
They are trying to get an interview with Dean Lombardi on the NHL Network right now, so it might be coming up shortly. I love TSN’s coverage of Free Agency and Trade Deadlines.
[Reply]
I have absolutely zero confidence in a deal getting done if Leiweke is there. I still remember all the pie-in-the-sky stuff he told season ticket holders back in 1995. I’m still waiting, Tim.
[Reply]
For me…. Fleishman and/or Leino would have been the right way to go… possibly getting to for the price of 1
[Reply]
colo king fan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@gralx, 6/27 for leino.. hardly 2 for one.. more like 1 for 1.5
[Reply]
This is Kovalchuk all over again. We’re going to waste all our time trying to sign Brad Richards and miss out on all of the other UFAs. Then Richards will sign with New York.
[Reply]
wavesinair Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@Andrew, This is NOT Kovalchuk all over again.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@Andrew, If this were still happening 3 weeks from now I would agree. FA is only 5 hours old. Hardly comparible.
[Reply]
Ryder is going to Dallas, so he gone… Cole gone too…
[Reply]
everyone is complaining about how this will take away from all the other UFAs, but frankly, not other UFA is worth the price they are going to get except richards. coles contract is way too much for a 25/25 guy who hasnt proved anything outside of carolina. maybe gagne but it doesnt seem like there is too much activity on his front today.
and another thing is that lombardi knows what mistakes he made last year with kovalchuk. he will approach the richards situation very professionally and know when to move on if richards thinks he can maintain a lot of leverage in the negotiation.
in no way will he let this get in the way of doughty, and im sure the strength of lombardis pitch was that he would be a part of a great crop of young forwards for years to come. maybe we get him, maybe not. but deano knows how to go about it this time
[Reply]
Brewhemoth Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Stop the Puck, Well said, I totally agree. DL will get it done this time
[Reply]
MacSwede Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Stop the Puck, I totally agree!! I wrote a similar post right after you, but in other words
If we dont get BR, it is no disaster. Hey, we have Mike!! And we will solve the LW problem by trade instead.
[Reply]
Jason Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@Stop the Puck, Finally, someone with some common sense! There is no other UFA really worth the attention or the effot. If this fails we will trade. This is so different from last year.
I have to say I am very excited for this season!
GO KINGS GO!
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@Jason, Yep, my feelings exactly. None of those FA are really worth what they got. Trade is gonna likely be the best bang for our buck if we don’t get Brad. I still find it hard to believe we are going all in on Brad.
[Reply]
I think it is like this. Dean Lombardi wont overpay for a mid-range player that is UFA. It is not worth it. So, it is Brad Richards or none!! We will solve the LW problem by trade if he dont sign with us..
I agree with the strategy. I mean, Eric Cole with a caphit of 4,5!! Come on??
BR or nothing, BR or nothing, BR or nothing…
[Reply]
No moves by Kings, Ducks, or San Jose… Keeping it quiet in the West…
[Reply]
No moves by Kings, Ducks, or San Jose… Keeping it quiet in the West…
[Reply]
John Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@Roy,
Sharks lost Mayers and Eager
[Reply]
You would think that in that impressive presentation
with video and such was Doughty’s highlights and promise..
Can’t see them saying “”And IF we have Drew”…Blah..blah..blah…
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With Smyth and Zeus gone, that’s 10 mil we save. We can spend 7 on Richards on a 5/35 or 7/49 deal and it would be fine.
If not, I’d sure like to get Belanger at 4/16 as a backup.
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SLG1013 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@carol vadnais, Belanger made $750K last year and he’s 33 years old. He is not worth $4M/year by any stretch of the imaginations…
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LicoriceBiscuit Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@carol vadnais, If a GM lays out a contract like that to EB, that would be his last.
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Brian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@carol vadnais,
You have to consider the RFAs like Doughty/Martinez/Richardson who will get significant raises; they’ll eat up a good portion of that money.
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tuan jim Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 3:20 pm
@Brian,
Zu-u-u-us! Oh moan . . .
Simmer, Smyth, Poni, and now Zus.
Where is our SIZE?
You don’t win late-season third periods without SIZE.
In the last week we lost almost 25 feet and 800 lbs. of good, solid beef up front. How do we replace it?
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Didn’t they learn from the Kovalchuck debacle????/ This is dumb, don’t want him at the price he will get, This will be bad in the long run, I thought we weren’t going to do the quick fix thing anymore????
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before we went all in, we should have resigned Doughty. Then Brad Richards.
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DBking Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 12:59 pm
@pat, I’m sure that was the plan but it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to.
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So little done by teams out west.
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OK, Why do we need another high powered center again? Kopi and MR aren’t enough? We need left wing, I thought. What did I miss??
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Poonagi Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@ziggyfan, both richards have played on the wing before. specifically brad would most likely play on the left wing, where he played while in TB.
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ziggyfan Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@Poonagi, Thanks. I did not know that he played on the left wing and in that case, I am all for it.
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Brad Richards is way overrated 7 mill a year=way overpriced. Wasting their time on this dude. Let him go to New York, Toronto etc. PLEASE!
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@ziggyfan, Brad Richards won the Conn Smythe trophy playing LW. That’s what you missed.
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Leino just sitting out there & Philly whiteout the cap room to keep him…hoping the club is working that as another option
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Its LA or NY
Lightning….can’t afford him and Stamkos
Leafs….years away from competing for the cup
NYR….repeat the same mistake with every FA…always overpay and nothing to show for it.
LAK…team is built for a player like B.Richards…contender for the cup throughout his entire contract
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Brian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@Barry’s Mullet,
I like your thinking. When you’re making somewhere around 50 million for the next 7 years, how much does a million or two really factor in? All of your financial needs are met.
Tampa is a long shot unless they clear more cap room or allow value Richards over Stamkos and allow him to walk.
Toronto – do you really want that amount of pressure on you? You’re under the magnifying glass there.
New York – I wouldn’t be impressed with the supporting cast there. The prospect of playing with Gaborik would be appealing, but the guy is so inconsistent.
A lot of talk has been made over his preference for the East, but it seems strange considering his public comments about wanting to stay with Dallas. The Kings have a lot going for them right now, and the prospect of playing with two other elite centers is enticing — just think about the Kings throwing all of them together against the Sharks’ number 1 line. (Which seems to now include Couture rather than Heatley)
I think Brad to the Kings makes them the favorite in the West.
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Could you imagine the Kings PP with Brad Richards QBing the second unit? Problem is the Rangers said they would exceed whatever offer any club presented Brad Richards. So now we will find out if Richards is serious in his claim that he wants to be on a contender, because I think the Kings are closer than the Rangers. As everyone here can remember, these are the same words uttered by that fellow whom signed with the Devils… can’t remember his name. That is a joke people.
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KC23 Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@LicoriceBiscuit, The one thing NY can’t match. They will not be a cup contender with Brad. With the Kings he’ll have a great shot at the cup and once this town gets worked up on the Kings they’ll be lots of endorsement $ available too.
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Leino just signed with Buffalo 6 yrs/ 27 mil
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Brian Reply:
July 1st, 2011 at 1:22 pm
@Brewhemoth,
Ryder to Dallas too. Gagne is one of the few options left on the board with Cole, Leino, Upshall, Ward, Vrbata all signed.
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Poni to Carolina
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Leino signed with Buffalo
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BR won’t come to LA. No one likes the travel…usually more comfortable on the East Coast
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Let’s be prepared to be bride’s maids again. We’ll wine and dine him and in the end he’s going to the Rangers. But only after the entire summer is wasted with getting everyones hopes up. Prove me wrong DL. Go Kings!
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I do like that the Kings brought out all the big Dogs. Free agents are lucky to get a few representatives from higher ups, Brad got the full Monty. Go Kings!
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Man i hope Richards isn’t the money-grubbin’ type, and hope he can open his eyes to the team with the better overall upswing. TL said he was “a smart kid” so I hope that speaks the truth…
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