Mike Richards Waived by Kings; Could Oilers Grab Him?

The Los Angeles Kings waived center Mike Richards earlier today as the club could not find a trade partner for the two-time Stanley Cup winner.  The center who turns 30 in just a few weeks has five years remaining on his contract that carries a hefty $5,750,00 cap hit, no doubt a significant deterrent in other teams looking to acquire him.

Richards had tallied only 15 points this season in 47 games, also carrying a minus seven rating while playing the least amount of time per game in his career (13:42).  This followed up a season where he scored only 41 points in 82 games, his worst point-per-game average since his rookie campaign.  His waiver is a far fall from grace from his days with the Philadelphia Flyers where he was recognized as one of the top two-way centerman in the game and even had back-to-back 30 goal seasons.

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We’ll know by noon Eastern on Tuesday whether a team claimed him or whether he’ll be re-assigned to Manchester of the AHL.  There are several teams that could use center help now and in the future (Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers), but with the amount of money left on his 12-year deal which includes recapture penalties if he retires in its duration according to reports, there’s no guarantee he’ll be claimed.

With Mike Richards on waiver, it’s a perfect time to revisit the Kings’ decision not to utilize an amnesty buyout on him after last season.  Yes, the team was just coming off a Cup victory, but with his role diminishing throughout the season and in the playoffs, it was only a matter of time before the Kings would realize his cap charge was far too much for a player of his caliber.  The Kings were probably hopeful he’d give them at least two or three more quality (albeit, high-priced) seasons before having to bite the bullet on him.  After only 47 games and finding themselves on the outside of the playoff picture and holes on the blue line, the Kings bit the bullet today.  For all the great moves general manager Dean Lombardi pulled off building the Kings into a Stanley Cup winner twice (including trading for Mike Richards in the first place), his failure to use the amnesty buyout when he had the chance is a huge blunder on his end.

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However, Lombardi could get a break if Richards is claimed and one team that makes sense is the Edmonton Oilers.  They need to undergo a culture change and Craig MacTavish would be wise to put a claim in on Richards and build its depth down the middle.  After Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers have nothing at the center position after this season.  They already added Derek Roy recently, so the team is desperate for quality players at center.  The team has difficulty attracting quality free agents, and it’s not as if the center class of free agents next summer is flush with talent, so if they could add a player like Richards and maybe cross their fingers he is rejuvenated, it could be a huge reward for them.  They threw a ton of money at Benoit Pouliot over the summer so they have no qualms about overpaying to bring players in.

Adding Richards isn’t going to bring Edmonton from worst to first, but there’s no question the young Oilers could use a few more veterans around with winning pedigrees.  Plus he’s gone through the battles against the best of the West and could be a valuable voice inside the locker room.  It could be the type of move that may not pay off dividends immediately, but over time, the youngsters on the squad will benefit from having a player with his accomplishments on the roster.

Gone are the days of 60+ points and 30 goals for Mike Richards.  But, just shy of his 30th birthday, it would be a little shocking if he didn’t have something left in the tank to offer someone.  My gut is by noon on Tuesday, he’ll have a new NHL home.