Canucks & Beyond
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Is Brad Richards Worth it?
by Alanah McGinley on 02/25/08 at 05:05 PM ET
Comments (13)
Updated below with video of Dave Nonis today, discussing the trade deadline situation for Canucks.
Another update below at 6:50pm PT - ESPN has some news...
Another update below at 11:49pm PT - Rumors about a Richards deal with Dallas
At the Canucks Hockey Blog, J.J. is getting heavily emotionally invested in a deal to see Brad Richards in a Canucks Sweater:
There’s no denying his price tag is a big risk. Heck, at $23.4 million over the next three seasons, it’s a huge risk. However, for the last couple of years, we’ve been talking about the summer of ‘08 because it’s the summer when Naslund’s, Morrison’s, Cooke’s and Linden’s contracts all expire, clearing $11.5 million in cap space and paving the way to sign one, maybe even two or three, very good free agents.
Me? I like Richards, but all I can see are losses.
If I’m understanding this correctly, that’s $7.8 million over 3 years, and I have to give up: Naslund, Morrison, Cooke, Linden plus Kesler and Bourdon (which J.J. proposes as possible trade bait in his post) and draft picks?
That price differential means that after getting Richards, the Canucks still have to replace at least 4 of those players for just over $3 million (well, maybe a bit more). And that’s math that I just can’t get my head around.
Am I missing something here?
Regardless, J.J. isn’t the only one hot on this idea. Darren Dreger of TSN (not given to making up wild rumors) has had Vancouver in the mix of this for almost a week. And in today’s Province, there’s similar speculation, (although also mentioning a “Plan B” involving Olie Jokinen instead which makes a pile more sense to me).
But apparently not to Dave Nonis.
This morning, Aaron Portzline, NHL writer with the Columbus Dispatch, is claiming sources say Vancouver has indeed made an offer to Tampa to acquire Richards.
Contradicting the Vancouver papers, Richards himself has said he has not been asked to waive his no-trade-clause ("I haven’t been asked to go anywhere") but from his comments to reporters this morning, he’s also not too hot on his new employers:
“Unfortunately, the right people built this organization the way it should’ve been, and it’s getting torn apart. And it’s not all by their doing. A lot of outside influences. So, it’s unfortunate to see that happening, but we’ll see. You never know.”
Richards is probably going somewhere—and would indeed be a great asset to a team like the Canucks.
But at what price?
Update 3:58pm PT: Dave Nonis talks today about the trade deadline situation.
Update 6:50pm PT: From ESPN…
Sources told ESPN.com Monday night that Chicago is believed to have made an offer for Richards, but the Blackhawks were told there was another team involved in trade discussions and the Lightning had to mull over the other offer before they could respond to the Blackhawks’ interest.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are believed to have strong interest in Richards, looking to add a top-flight center to play with Rick Nash, but the NHL source said he believes it’s another team. “I think it’s Dallas,” he said.
While Richards has a no-trade clause, he has reportedly provided a list of teams to which he would agree to be traded.
Is Richards going to waive a no-trade clause for Columbus or Chicago this season? I sure can’t see it. So that leaves Dallas, Vancouver… anyone else?
Update 11:49pm PT: Ross McKeon at Yahoo! Sports on Richards (and Hossa):
The Dallas Stars will acquire Tampa Bay Lightning center Brad Richards in a multi-player trade and Atlanta Thrashers right wing Marian Hossa is heading to the Montreal Canadiens before the NHL trade deadline, an executive within the league said Monday night.
(Thanks to Mike Chen for passing on the above link...)
Filed in: | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Tags: brad+richards, trade+deadline, trade+rumors,
Comments
Nonis would be an idiot to tarde for Richards.
He is too expensive for one, and finally after all this time, with Naslund’s contract coming off the books, why in the hell would he make a move like this?
Makes no sense to me.
He should be going after Vrbata and then a decent UFA this summer.
If this trade actually happens and we give up Bieksa, I hope that Nonis is replaced soon.
Posted by PuckHound61 from Speckville USA on 02/25/08 at 05:25 PM ET
I don’t want Richards...he’s way too expensive and quite frankly I don’t think he is that good. But that is all my opinion so who knows. Apparently the MSM in Columbus thinks differently but they’re so hungry for a top line center they will take anyone at this point.
Posted by Bethany on 02/25/08 at 05:33 PM ET
Kel -- I totally agree with you, and wasn’t meaning to suggest he would invoke his NTC, just that he did tell the media this morning (according to TBO) that he has not been asked to waive it as yet. (Sorry - I wasn’t very clear.)
PuckHound61 -- Bieksa is a trade idea I’m not too worried about. If that were to happen, it would shock the heck out of me. (*knock on wood*)
BethanyM85 -- Richards has certainly had a crappy year, but to be fair (and J.J. mentions this in his post, too) his team in general has fared pretty badly.
What it comes down to for me is just money and assets lost. (Though if I was Tampa, I’d probably be happy to just to trade that contract, even getting next-to-nothing back. Their money situation is looking to be seriously tight for next season).
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 02/25/08 at 08:48 PM ET
Nonis doesn’t have a history of making bone-headed trades. A Richards deal would have to be an awfully good one, were he to pull it off.
Looking into the future...my gut tells me he will re-sign Naslund for less money in the off season. I think Naslund is cut from the same cloth as fellow Swede Mats Sundin...loyalty and family mean a lot more than a few extra $$$.
Posted by GZ Expat from Chiner on 02/25/08 at 09:22 PM ET
Maybe I’m just hypnotized by these credentials (via TSN):
2003-04 Stanley Cup (Tampa Bay)
2003-04 NHL - Lady Byng Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike)
2003-04 NHL - Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoffs’ MVP)
2001-02 Played in the NHL YoungStars Game
2000-01 NHL - All-Rookie Team
1999-00 CHL - Player of the Year (Canadian Major Junior)
1999-00 CHL - Leading Scorer (Canadian Major Junior)
1999-00 CHL - Plus/Minus Award (Canadian Major Junior)
1999-00 CHL - First All-Star Team (Canadian Major Junior)
1999-00 QMJHL - Michel Briere (Most Valuable Player)
1999-00 QMJHL - Jean Beliveau Trophy (Leading scorer)
1999-00 QMJHL - Plus/Minus Award
1999-00 QMJHL - Guy Lafleur Trophy (Playoff MVP)
1999-00 QMJHL - First All-Star Team
1999-00 Memorial Cup - Stafford Memorial Trophy (MVP)
1999-00 Memorial Cup - All-Star Team
Plus, he won gold at the World Cup of Hockey in 2004.
Can you say winner?
Posted by J.J. from Vancouver on 02/25/08 at 09:28 PM ET
I can’t see Edler and my fave Kesler going in this one. The Schneider / Bourdon combination sounds plausible (at least in my slanted Canucks fan view!). Let’s face it, Schneider is too good to be buried in the minors until Luongo leaves/retires/whatever.
7.5 million is huge though. I don’t understand why they gave him that contract in the first place but it is what it is now I suppose.
Posted by Laker from dapuddle on 02/25/08 at 10:15 PM ET
I know why you like him, J.J. I like him, too. I could easily have a thing for Brad Richards in a Canucks jersey. It’s just the deal to make it happen that’s boggling my brain so far.
I just can’t see him coming unless Tampa can’t get him to waive his NTC without his insistence on coming to Vancouver (and is Vancouver good enough that he’s going to insist on that?). But if he did, and Vancouver is his only destination choice, then Tampa might do it for practically nothing, just to get rid of his contract.
But even then, I have a tough time figuring out the money for the Canucks. Like GZ Expat, I can also see Naslund resigning for a low wage next year, if he decides to stay in the NHL. But regardless, other guys will have to be signed—Richards can’t play alone. It just makes for a hellish-tight budget.
Anyway, the craziness in Tampa is now underway… just a few minutes ago, I see Vaclav Prospal was traded to Philadelphia.... and Dan Boyle has been signed for 6 years, $40 million reportedly.
Good God.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 02/25/08 at 10:16 PM ET
I actually don’t see a problem with the salaries.
The Canucks lose $13 million in the off-season:
Naslund - $6 mil
Morrison - $3.2 mil
Cooke - $1.5 mil
Linden - $0.8 mil
Miller - $1.5 mil
Assuming Kesler isn’t part of the deal, they take on close to the same amount:
Richards - $7.8 mil
Naslund - $3.6 mil
Cooke replacement (3rd/4th line winger - Mike Brown/Rick Rypien?) - $0.6 mil
Linden replacement (4th line veteran) - $0.8 mil
Miller replacement (depth veteran defenseman) - $0.8 mil
I’m not counting Bourdon because he’s most likely back with the Moose unless Bieksa is part of the deal. And if Bieksa is part of the deal, then the Canucks save a couple of mil paying Bourdon instead of Bieksa.
I don’t think money is the issue here. It’s just a matter of how much of our assets DN gives up. Personally, I’m willing to part with a player, a prospect and a draft pick (or exchange of draft picks). Like most however, I wouldn’t give up more than that.
Posted by J.J. from Vancouver on 02/25/08 at 10:59 PM ET
Richards is a playmaker too, so those around him are better.
But seeing what Phili gave up for Prospal I am surprised that Van couldn’t better that.
Ray Ferraro was on the team 1040 suggesting that Naslund’s drop in salary would likely be down to the 5 million range… 3.6 is probably low, even though Naslund agreed that he would settle for a ‘home team discount’ for whatever that is worth.
Posted by Laker from dapuddle on 02/25/08 at 11:08 PM ET
I think the problem I am starting to have with the whole Richards idea is one that was discussed on Pratt & Taylor today, and that is how do we resign the Sedins or Luongo down the road knowing the bar is set at Brad Richards’ salary. Richards is extremely talented, but I think we are better off trying to find someone who doesn’t require us to have to pare down other areas in order to hang on to the core. Now if he were willing to come and renegotiate a new deal at a lower wage, sure… but that can’t happen so…
BTW it was awesome meeting you and the rest of the Canucks Corner crew, look forward to talking to you all soon
Posted by Kent from Victoria on 02/25/08 at 11:37 PM ET
I’d say unload Morrison and Cooke and then use the extra $2.whatever mill to pick up Richards. That makes more sense to me, rather than giving up the future.
Posted by GZ Expat from Chiner on 02/26/08 at 12:28 AM ET
I like think about this trade but i would not do it.
I like the idea of some player’s comeing to Van City.
But if we have to go for one of the big three in TB why the highest paid one with the least amount of point’s.
I can see some other name’s like Patrick Sharp.
If we ask the Blue’s do you think maybe Andy Mcdonald could be picked up or Kariya.
Or Olli is not bad.
Like it is said above what about resigning some of owr best player’s.
And if some how we could sign the core back we have o money come dead line day next year and the year after.
I know I would be pissed if the Sedin’s and Luongo have to go.
Dave would be hated by me and alot of Vancouver fan’s.I am not a big fan on this trade and i would rather see nothing done then see that contract added to owr cap space.
5.8 and i would take Richard’s any thing more is just a crazy deal.
Posted by T Rose from Nova Scotia on 02/26/08 at 12:58 AM ET
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Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003, sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen. In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah is one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast, as featured at Canucks.com.
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I interpret Richards’ comment as his frustration with the ownership situation in Tampa Bay, where budget constraint forced the team to be dissembled after their cup run. (The lockout didn’t help either). He’s almost expecting to be traded and if he indeed is against the idea, he’s not saying anything to indicate he would use his NTC to veto a trade. Also, the fact that he’s not asked to waive the clause doesn’t conflict with the rumor that he’s asked to provide a list of team that he would agree to waive the NTC to play for.
Posted by Kel on 02/25/08 at 05:18 PM ET