Alright, so Mike Richards cleared waivers a few weeks ago, not surprising at all. This is not because of what he brings to the table, but more because of his contract. He has an annual cap hit of $5.75M a year, a pretty huge number for a guy who only put 15 points on the board in 47 games this year, hence why he is playing in the AHL right now. Richards has been trending down the last few years, heck last year he put up 41 points in 82 games, which isn’t bad, but not worth his contract. The year before that he got his name on the scorecard 32 times in only 48 games. That is a 0.667 Points Per Game Percentage, very respectable numbers for a second line center.
Before I continue, I have to say I’m a huge Mike Richards fan. Even though he has lost a step in recent years, he plays the game of hockey the way most Canadian kids love. He’s not the biggest guy, only 5’11 and 198lbs, but plays a much bigger game. He’s gritty, can throw bone crushing hits and win battles in the corners. He has scored highlight reel goals and does all the little things right.
Another thing to factor in to Richards’ drop in production is what I like to call, the “Kings Factor”. No matter what type of player, when they go to LA, expect point totals to drop. They play a completely structured game that does cost guys points, but wins hockey games. Either you assimilate to the system or you don’t play, plain and simple. While it doesn’t account for the horrible year he’s having, it is something to factor in.
He is the exact type of player that Edmonton is in dire need of, even if he has lost a step or two.
He’s a center, first of all, a position the Oilers need some depth at. We are a team that has to overpay for players to come here anyways, so why not take on a bigger contract to fill a need?
It’s a steep price to pay, but he brings so many more attributes that this team needs. He plays an aggressive game in all three zones, whether it is throwing a hit on the forecheck, battling along the boards or diving to break up a play, a “Never-Give-Up” kind of attitude. He’s a smart hockey player who is also very good positionally, and he has a faceoff percentage of 50.3% over the last three years. He also averages over 23 takeaways per year, which is a decent amount. To put that in perspective, Boyd Gordon had 21 last year. Also, Richards would have been the fourth place forward on the Oilers last year with 73 hits, only behind Perron, Hendricks and Gazdic.
Mike Richards would be the perfect center to help ease Leon into things by taking the hard minutes. He’s an excellent penalty killer who plays a team game, he isn’t afraid to stick up for himself or teammates. He can play big minutes and check the other teams top players effectively, a bunch of elements that the Oilers are missing in there top nine. Even if he just hits anywhere from 30-50 points a year, he brings a lot of aspects this team could use in a big way.
Now, to the flip side.
Andrew Ference is a veteran defender in over his head. He has been playing 19:51 a game on average this year, way too many minutes for a guy who acts like the puck is a live grenade every time it ends up on his stick. He is a guy who makes the quick play to get the puck out of danger, which isn’t always a good thing. He’s playing a huge role in Edmonton, which he’s not up to anymore, if he every really was. He’s been a career support player, a guy who does well when given a good partner in structured defense first systems. Does any of that sound like the Oilers? Not even a little bit.
A team like LA can take a support player like that and use him. Ference can block shots, kill penalties and throw hits. In a limited role with limited minutes, he could do well. He’s 35 years old and not getting any younger, but going to a team like the Kings, who are a yearly powerhouse, would be something that he would oblige. It could be a match that makes sense on a few different levels.
Injuries are bound to happen, and adding depth for any cup run is always advised. This is especially true for a guy who has won a cup and knows what it takes to win. Ference does play the type of game that is perfect for the playoffs, so do the Kings. It could be a match made in heaven.
Financially it makes a lot of sense as well. To make any kind of trade I would imagine the Kings would have to retain some salary, Let’s say $1-1.5 M a year, just because Ference is playing in the NHL while Richards is not. Let’s take it as the $1 M a year. That knocks Richards hit to $4.75 M a year, which is a smaller pill to swallow for the Oilers, while it would clear up cap room in the short term for the Kings.
It also frees up cap space for them right now, so instead of having a $5.75 M cap hit taking up space, they would only have $4.25 M. Richards deal is two years longer than Ference’s, so in two years they also lose another $3.25 M a year.
It might just be me, but this seems like this could be a match made in heaven, two players having horrible seasons that have attributes that could help their new teams out. The deal would make sense roster wise for both teams, as well as financially.
Another thing that could be a big help would be sending out a veteran defender for a veteran forward. It has been clear that our young players need some leadership. Ference, while his leadership was a big part of his signing, hasn’t effected the room as management had wanted. While he was made captain and did take on a big role with the team, it’s clear that he hasn’t had the effect on our young skill guys that many thought he would. From widely analyzed comments made about unnamed teammates to his body language on the ice, even though “Loyal to the Oil” I could see him embracing a change.
Why I think Richards would be an asset would be he would bring the same leadership as Ference, but it could be far better received by our young skilled forwards if it comes from a fellow forward. A forward who, while not quite as skilled, is a leader with some skill. I think when Gagner was traded it actually did more harm than good. He was a lesser skilled guy, whom we had an abundance of better options, but he was a player that guys like Hall and Eberle looked up to.
You could tell when they spoke of him, that even though not as good as they were, they still respected him and his leadership qualities. So when he was traded, that was a big blow.
So a guy like Richards, who is almost the “Anti-Gagner”, might be a big addition. It might give them a forward to look up to, one who teaches them what it takes to win. Adding a guy in the same mold as a Hendricks or Gordon, but with more skill could be a plus. You can’t have too many character players. Especially ones who can put up some points.
Thank you so much for reading! Don’t forget to add everyone from @theoilersrig on twitter, especially me @sharkyzeee! Have a great day!
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