He’s been everywhere

When the Kings play their 14th game of the season, on Thursday, Brad Richardson will officially have seen it all. Richardson started the season on the second line, then went to the fourth line, then went to the first line, then went back to the fourth line. He has played both wing and center. On Thursday, Richardson will join the third line, in place of Alexei Ponikarovksy, and be the left winger for center Michal Handzus and winger Wayne Simmonds. The movement is a testament to Richardson’s versatility. HIs game, centered around strong skating and work ethic, translates well to any line. He’s not an elite scorer, but he rarely turns in a disappointing effort, and today Terry Murray spoke of his appreciation for Richardson, who has three goals and one assist in 13 games.

MURRAY: “You have to have a player who is flexible and capable of moving to different positions. That’s just the way the game is here, today. With the distance we have between Manchester and here, with the (salary) cap, with the new-look game that we play, there’s a need to have players coming out of the penalty kill, coming out of the power play, that can fill in on the center position for one shift or two shifts, or move to a wing. It’s invaluable to have a player like Richardson who can adjust to those looks.

“As I said last year, with Peter Harrold it was play defense, play right wing, and I had him at center a little bit last year, on the fourth line. Those utility players are truly invaluable to have, for a coach. It might be hard for a player to feel that importance when he is moving around, from first to second to fourth line, but let me assure you — and I do tell the players — that their role on the team is very important.”