Dallas Will Not Offer Richards New Contract

[RGM81]

Brad Richards will become a UFA on July 1st. He will almost certainly be the most highly-prized UFA this year.

Anybody care to venture as to where he'll end up signing?

[flemingc04]

I can think of a few teams that I think are reasonable ideas of where he could go. However, I am not familiar with many team's spending habits and/or management.

In no particular order:
Nashville - Would make him a #1 Centre and push Fisher to a #2 centre. They have the room, but would Richards want to play there?
Los Angeles - Could use him as a #1 centre, but with Doughty being an RFA
Toronto - I doubt it will happen, but the room cap room is there. I'm sure everyone knows that Toronto really needs a true #1 centre.
St. Louis - Lots of cap room and could use a #1 centre. Adding Richards would help making the playoff push.
Detroit - Would likely be a second line centre with Datsyuk being a #1. They definitely have the cap room, but would also likely trade away another centre since they have a few of them.

[sholi2000]

Well there are no franchise players in the Peg.

Richards to Semin.........scores!

[mugatu471]

Detroit certainly doesn't need Richards, but I could see it.

[afholmes87]

Detroit certainly doesn't need Richards, but I could see it.

I'm with you on this one, I wouldn't mind seeing a player of Richards' caliber in a Wings uniform, but we NEED a goal scorer, not another 20-25 goal, 60-70 assist guy. Franzen is not a bona-fide 40 goal scorer, which is what we need and I'm not sure there is one on the free agent market.

[SkyFire47]

if he's the #1 UFA this offseason, he'll be on Glen Sather's radar. Richards to the Rangers for an expensive, overpaid, lengthy contract.

[thesnake87]

Richards to Detroit, Winnipeg, or back to Tampa. I have a feeling it's one of these 3...

[duwal]

I think he could go to L.A., they know that if they want to get on top of the division they'll need more scoring

[scottkoz20]

hey kids, do not discount Buffalo in this.

Buffalo has a couple things in its favor

1) New Ownership that is not concerned about profit
2) New facilities being built inside of HSBC Arena
3) An absolute need for a #1 Center
4) A glut of prospects making the Sabres dealing a 2nd or 3rd round pick for exclusive rights is not out of the question.


Now, do I think the Sabres would do this. If this was past ownership, there would be a better chance of snow in Calgary for the Stampede next month. However, this ownership just might be willing to do this. If for no other reason than to tell the fans they are 100% serious about winning the cup.

[thesnake87]

Ooo never thought of that. Great point Scott.