Not a normal day for Richards

From the looks of things, Lightning forward Brad Richards tried to act like this was any other morning skate, but there was obviously something different.

Over the course of the last few days, Richards’ name has been one of the most discussed in trade speculation.

Everywhere Richards goes, people want to talk about a trade that could never happen. By the times the trade deadline passes Tuesday at 3:01 p.m., the 27-year-old could be dealt, most likely to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He’s scored 150 goals (and 488 points) in a Tampa Bay uniform, won a Conn Smythe Trophy, was a critical cog of a Stanley Cup winner, and was one of the organization’s few home-grown talents.

A 50-foot tall banner that hangs from the southeast side of the St. Pete Times Forum shows Richards hoisting the Stanley Cup above his head.

Brad Richards has been a part of the good times for the Lightning, but tonight’s game against the Bruins could be Richards’ last one in a Lightning sweater.

“After tonight’s game, maybe I’ll have more time to think about what’s going on,” Richards said after today's morning skate. “We have another game tonight, and that’s all I can do. There’s really nothing else I can tell you.”

Comments

[Patrick]

I guess getting Picard and a 2nd or 3rd round pick isn't bad for a rental player of Prospal's caliber... but I would have thought we'd be looking have a net gain in wingers with these trades, not a net loss. Unless we think another year of Hlavac and Oulette and 2nd liners sounds good.

[Patrick]

Hmm, from the scouting report on TSN, the "flaws" part make it sound like Picard is a replacement for Kuba:

Assets Has poise and maturity with and without the puck. Can be a factor in all three zones and already displays consistency in his overall play.

Flaws Needs to do a better job of keeping opposing forwards honest with more physical play. May not put up big offensive totals in the NHL.

Career potential Top six defenseman.

[Jeep (Since someone else is already Eric)]

Wow "Richards sucks" and "Brad richad" (nice spelling there genius by the way...your intelligent insight is only surpassed by your hilarious wit. Please go choke on your own vomit. Kthxbye.

[Patrick]

So we just traded one of our two good wingers for a young defenseman? That article said he's got a lot of points on his minor league team. I was thinking that meant Dan Boyle was definitely going. But now we've apparently signed him for SIX years? So he'll be making 6.5 mil when he's 36, 37 and 38? Can't imagine what this blog will be saying about him then. I love Boyle, but that contract looks like it's gonna be paying out to Boyle well after his most productive years will be behind him.

When the freaking hell are we going to address the offense at the wing problem on this team? Ya know, some scoring besides Vinny4 and Marty who will soon be the only ones left? People have been saying trade richards so we can spend the money... There's not much available at wing on the UFA list that I saw.... maybe Ryan Malone was the best one?

Are we gonna trade Richards for an entire second line?

[Richards Suks]

Wow I I stink trade me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[Not The Marlboro Man]

Its just been reported by The Fourth Period that Dan Boyle resigned with the Bolts for 6.5 mil a year for 6 years.

[Jeep (Since someone else is already Eric)]

http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=354834

Got it.

It's hitting the fan folks.

[Jeep (Since someone else is already Eric)]

http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=354834

Got it.

It's hitting the fan folks.

[Nan]

Okay guys, I will add my post to get us to 200. I don't know if I can add anything to the zillion posts above. All I can say is it sure will be an interesting day tomorrow. I keep checking the news to see if any trades have happened to any of our boys. Nothing like waiting to the last minute to tell someone to pack their bags.

[Nate Dogg]

hahaha...oops. So much for the trades waiting until tomorrow. Oh well. Prospal's the first to go...now that the snowball is rolling...

[Not The Marlboro Man]

Another dumb move by Feaster...why don't he just take every unproven defenseman in the league and turn them into a non skating slug like Shane O'brien then give away another scoring asset or draft pick. Jay Feaster is dumb...he could have gotten allot more for Prospal than that. He makes me sick.

[Matt]

5:34. Are we talking about the same MODIN? The one I'd be talking about played extremely well ALL season, not the least when we won the OLYMPIC GOLD for Sweden. You clearly weren't paying attention. MODIN was huge in front of goal - that's what the Bolts have been missing since he cleared his locker.

[Nate Dogg]

Well guys...it really isn't going to be a rumor anymore. After talking with a member of the Lightning coaching staff (not gonna say who, but it's not Torts or Sullivan), it's practically truth...payroll WILL be cut if Koules resumes ownership of the franchise.

Expect a $38-40 million payroll next year assuming the sale of the Lightning actually goes through. AKA: see ya Richards, Boyle, Prospal, etc...

"COME DOWN TO THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING FLEA MARKET...WHERE YOU'LL FIND EVERYTHING ON CLEARANCE!!! EVERYBODY AND ANYTHING THAT CAN BE MOVED, MUST AND WILL BE MOVED!!! YEEEEHAWWW...on Channelside Drive, across the street from Andreychuk's"

All hail Tampa's ALLMIGHTY version of Mark Cuban...well hey...at least he's passionate about (fvcking over) the franchise.

And a note to all you Tortorella haters out there: the member of the coaching staff also said that Tortorella was enraged about with the KOULES PAYCUT news and wants to keep as many players as possible...Yes...even Prospal...Just because Torts may be hard on certain players at times, it doesn't mean he doesn't want them on his team. It's kind of like parenting...You can't always be nice to your kids when it comes to their best interests. If the situation calls for it, your goal is to get them on the right path, not to be their best pal.

I wouldn't expect any trades until about noon tomorrow. So sleep well, comrades. Tomorrow is going to be one to remember.

Nate Dogg

[Jeep (Since someone else is already Eric)]

Boltflasher:
Link? I can't find it.

[boltflasher]

Prospal is gone to Flyers for Alex Picard and draft pic..just announced on Versus...

[ajax]

I am to tired to laugh so hard. Go Casper go!!
Everyone keeps writing what are we going to get, what are we going to get.
If we got nothing but 7.8 million free to spend elsewhere that would be great with me. Then you go into summer with your own shopping list and fat checkbook.
These three mentioned from Columbus
one is a RFA after this year
One has only one more year 765k
the other one more year 750k
no downside what so ever
and if you do like them, all are RFA's
What's not to like?
If they can play 10 minutes for Columbus somehow I think they are better than Karlsson Darche and Lundin/Janik(actually the list is about 6-8 but I will be pithy.)
Go on, take the money and run!!
What we don't want is someone with a Denis like contract but for two or three years and stinks. Most GM's would rather hand pick their team, so the less we get and the shorter their contracts the better.

[Bear]

Casper, many a truth is told in jest.

[olin]

Casper..I am still laughing my cheek's off....you get the award for best of 200+ post's today. I called my sweetie over to read it and she is still bent over....Now we can ask for the Korn Flake's kid....such an imagination.

[Sarasota Stu]

Hindsight 20/20? Here are a few excerpts from May 22, 2006, the day Brad igned a 5 year/39 MIL deal:

"It shows where this organization is going. It's going to be around him. He deserves it," coach John Tortorella said.

"There are a lot of contracts out there that I don't think players deserve. This one here, there's no question as far as what he's done and what's he going to be able to do because there's more, and Brad knows that. And I think he's going to reach down and bring that out within him to carry this organization."

"Imagine a player of his caliber, his skill and ability going on the open market at the age of 27," general manager Jay Feaster said.

"There's never been a question in our mind that Brad is so important to this franchise. He has stepped up to every challenge we have ever issued to him."

"There's no question it's going to be a long, hard summer," the general manager said. "But I'm very optimistic about being able to do what we have to do."

----------------
Sure Jay, I'll "imagine". He'd be worth at least 2 million LESS per season if you waited until January of last season.

[boltflasher]

From ESPNs Top 10 Deadline Deals, guess which one is #1?

1. March 24, 1998

• Tampa Bay obtains Andrei Nazarov and a 1998 first-round pick (Vincent Lecavalier) from San Jose for Bryan Marchment, David Shaw and a first-round pick (later traded to Nashville)

• Tampa Bay obtains Sandy McCarthy, a 1998 third-round pick (Brad Richards) and a fifth-round pick from Calgary for Jason Wiemer

For Tampa Bay, the road to the Stanley Cup went right through the 1998 draft as the Lightning obtained two pivotal draft picks through deals in 1998. After drafting Vincent Lecavalier (first overall) and Brad Richards (third-round pick), the Lighting built the foundation for their 2004 championship team. Lecavalier has evolved into one of the game's best players and respected leaders. Tampa's captain won the Maurice Richard Trophy in 2006-07 as the league's top goal scorer (52). Richards was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2004 after scoring 26 points, including seven game-winning goals. Two great trades, followed by some exceptional scouting, makes the 1998 trade deadline a memorable one for Tampa Bay.

[leo]

Sorry ajax,
Total goof on my part. It was Jr I was referring to. But it was mostly Unbelievable with his "preferring to trade out of conference" bit that got me. (but saw your name in Jr's post, got muddled)
Disagreeing, (as you do too) about it being a "known fact" that you don't trade in same division. While that might be so in optimal circumstances, where we would remain strong or stronger than our conference opponents so that no change would be acceptable.
This is not the case.
If the best we can get is from our bitterest rivals?
Guess what?
That's what I was sayin'.
Didn't mean to splash ya.
BBR

[Brad's Agent]

I repeat--although I am not allowed to comment on trades--that my client will be in a city with a large arch tomorrow night.

[Casper]

Something to think about when you consider d-men in the $6M neighborhood. You think Bryzgalov would be more effctive with Boyle or JovoCop?
A-HA! It is now easier to see what we need. Then, the puzzle gets easier doesn't it?

Feaster's no good at puzzles. He called me the other day and said he needed help with a new jig saw puzzle. I asked what it was supposed to be and he said a rooster. I went to his office, saw stuff all over his desk and immediately told him to relax. "We were not putting this puzzle of a rooster together." I said. "Let's kick back with a Diet Coke and a bag of pork rinds."
"Afterward we can put the corn flakes back into the box..."

Dalmore-86 proof. After we flub the deadline and destroy the club, I'll be pounding the cask strength tonsil varnish tomorrow.

All right, I've added my fluff to boost us toward 200 posts. It takes a village.....

[boltflasher]

The Edmonton offer, if true, is not bad, but, I'm not sure if Roloson is an answer. Pitkanen is interesting and Stoll is a question mark...he had a good season last year, but not much this year despite alot of ice time...However, you're right, Edmonton probably not on Brad's list...The Philly one is worth looking at if Jeff Carter is included...

[f. chum buddy]

You know what I want to know? Why is there so little insider info that ever comes out via our local media. Every now and then Cristodero will post a story with some juicy info in it (including the same EXACT stuff we've been talking about for a week or so prior). C'mon Cristodero give us a real scoop for once. There has to be someone you can call who can give you some insider info as to where things stand right now. Earn your money! Earn our love!

[Nils]

Supposedly the Oilers have offered Stoll, Pitkanen and Roloson for #19.

I would almost bet Edmonton not on Brad's list---they are not contenders and the weather sucks.

[boltflasher]

If Brule, Tollesen, and Fritsche is the absurd offer for Richards, then I would counter offer some of the Bolts fodder...Hlavac, Ouellet, and Lukowich...dead even deal...and take a hard look at Dallas with the goalie Smith...Kesler would not be enuff from Van....

[jr]

Agreed....we're concentrating on minutiae while we wait for the shoes to drop....

[ajax]

jr,It's a draw, I win. Hey, my kids use that line all the time!!!

[Nils]

Spector says that the Blackhawks have injected themselves into the mix for Richards. Nothing about that in the Chi. media though.

[bingo]

Well let's see the rumor mill is running rampant..... latest heard is the guy is going to 200mil for the team and in order to meet payroll will lower the payroll to the Rays 30mil level..... Get a grip folks.... before we jump and scream OH MY GOD THE WORLD IS OVER...... let us see what is traded and for whom.

[olin]

Weezer...so true. The owner and his $ hungry puppet's are the root of the entire mess. Is just too bad we don't have hand's-on hockey heaven owner's who actually show an intrest in the team and it's tampa bay fan nation who pay's the price to see the game here instead of the revenue's....this place would sell out continualy and probably would accept an increase in tic's, if the owner would spend the cap and backup promise's made....

[Lisa]

I love the Lightning, have been following them since we moved here in 1994. We have 1/2 season tickets, and I honestly can't stand the thought of the team being gutted. If they drop the payroll to under $40 million, I honestly won't support the team. I might go to a game occasionally, but forget the 1/2 season tickets. If they do that, VL4 will leave at the end of his contract (if he doesn't ask for a trade before) and will basically have Norfolk playing in the NHL. How exciting. :(

[jr]

Ajax

With all due respect--except for your taste in scotch--you can't use those examples when it's not remotely possible offers like that will come within the division. Hasn't happened (except one exception by accident as noted by an astute blogger) and will not happen. What you (and I) think about that policy is irrelevant. The reality is otherwise.

[ajax]

whew, wish I had a phone, because I got lost since last posting. Hysteria has hit Tampa. I love it!!
jr, I didn't say they "would" offer a boatload, but doesn't your answer kinda agree by default? If they "did" offer we would except, clearly showing that the "net" of the deal carries the "weight" with whom you deal. I was in law school for 6 days!! Ovechkin for Richards straight up. No, we don't want to trade in the division. come on. Better example, Washington offers us 4 #1's. Columbus offers us 3 #1's. Feaster might take Columbus, but you wouldn't. I am not talking about Richards, I am talking about the premise of "take best deal", anywho.
Leo you said I was wrong? about what? u lost me. Have always said, number one contract, tied to "not" number one player. Again value being the key to any trade. Fill me in on my gaff.
The proposed Columbus trade for 3 roster players making 2.3 million, and only thru next year and all RFA's. I will think long and hard. Done, make the deal. Could they possibly be worse than three of our 5 minute a night guys? If even one of them sticks you have 7,000,000 to START FRESH. what if all 3 stick? We boot three of the bums, the roster is better and we have 7.8 mil to spend and be aggressive this summer. Really 9.3 million because the 2/3 new faces replace 2/3 500k losers. The first domino has fallen and now how do we spend the money wisely?? Isn't this what everyone wanted? Yet again so much back peddling on the blog. HUGE GRIN, I am missing something aren't I? What am I missing?(they won't spend it?, I'll worry about that if it happens) We get no dead weight contracts, we get a fresh start. We have freed up money to spend on multiple players YES YES Yes.( and with very little downside) Xmas in February for me!! If Boyle wants 6 x 6.5 mil for 39 mil, I would chew hard but probably say no. At his age and size I say 4 years max. 20 more hours, I hope we are high fiving and not groaning.
Note about 38/40 mil new cap. Season tickets from day 1 and I will not be renewing, as will many and we will be back to 13,826 on a Saturday night. 38 million leads directly to VL4 not sticking around. Hamilton Lightning.

[weezer]

I't very "simple" and you list 14 points without the most important one?

Owbership.

[weezer]

So, there are no guarantees with draft picks.

Thanks for the link.

[Lightning rod]

You might want to check out this article on #1 draft picks, before you jump on that bandwagon.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/7839208/Fortunes-won't-change-on-picks-alone

[Hockey Chic]

Oh my fellow Bloggers it is time to set a record with this blog for largest number of posts while we wait twittling our thumbs waiting for news of trade deadline moves.

Went to practice yesterday and for the most part all the guys stopped and gave kids autographs. Obie even gave a kid a puck. The mood was very loose and strangely enough the tyrant Torts was no where around. Lest we think he may be wheeling and dealing like the wheel of fortune. Here's hoping we do not hit the bankrupt and if Richie is on his merry way I wish him well. Wonder what the big boys in the back office are stewing up..

Go Bolts!!

[olin]

...In my eye's it is very simple.
1. Remove John Torterella
2. Assign Dave Andreychuk "Interim coach"
3. Sign Dan Boyle
4.Retain Brad Richard's-DO NOT TRADE
5.Sign Vaclav Prospal
6.Sign Chris Gratton
7.Sign Johan Holmqvist
8.Trade Filp Kuba
9.Trade Brad Lukowich
10.Spend to the cap whomever is the owner.
11. Extend Vincent Lecavalier contract to long term.
12. Search out new coaching-head and asst in summer.
13.Search out 2 free agent veteran top 4 stay at home physical defensmen.
14. Plug in the holes with existing roster and/or trades.
My thought's may be conservative- but I believe the coaching change will affect this team as it did in atlanta,philly and washington...it's time for a new mentor. If this coach is retained the same mess will continue to happen, and if I'd go one step further I'd be looking for a new GM as well during the summer, after the show is over.

[leo]

Foppa back to Colorado. Til the end of the year. Philly? Chickago? Too bad, suckas.
Columbus has a real shot at what? Making the playoffs or going the distance?
Agree with the former but sure as heck not the latter.
BBR

[Casper]

Ciss on Polumbus!
Jay Freakin' Feaster don't cave now.

We need a hammer like Klesa, KLESA---I don't care how much they whine about it---and either Peca (shoot, he's going to lead them in the playoffs) or that Brassard kid (He's future, they want now? Take Brad now or the next guys will.), plus a high pick next year or beyond. THAT'S IT!

Oh, this is going to go so far south it'll be under the outhouse...

[jr]

Agree bear.

If all Columbus can offer is 3 warm bodies and Vancouver one prospect, even a promising one, the Bolts won't get "the moon" in either case.

I really believe the problem lies with the non-sale of a deteriorating asset.

[harvey]

jf, I'm not really a pessimistic guy by nature. However, considering the circumstances (non owner with no backround in NHL management) I see a train wreck coming. I hope it doesn't happen that way. Nobody does. I'm just not comfortable with the way this is being handled. I'll be walking on egg shells until tomorrow at 3pm.

[bear]

Man most are going way way overboard on what will come back for Richards if in fact anyone even takes him.

Take a young prospect and run.

I think Boltdom should be a lot more concerned about the OK scenario.
Serious franchise threatening stuff and no news as of 5PM.

[Nils]

This from Canada on a possible Vancouver deal:

"With a salary dump strategy, new owner Oren Koules would find Ryan Kesler tempting. At 23, the Canucks centre is having a breakout season with 16 goals and is under contract for the next two seasons at $1.75 million per.

Kesler's name has been linked to several rumoured deals, including a package for Mats Sundin, had he waived his no-trade clause.

"I'm the kind of guy who doesn't pay any attention to it," said Kesler. "I hear my name flying around, but there's nothing I can do about it. My job is to just go out and play and help this team win. I'm not going to believe anything until I hear it from management."

Well, it sounds better than the crap Columbus is offering.

[harvey]

l rod, I agree. Columbus has the desire and opportunity to make the playoffs. They also have the cap space and wingers that can score. They would love to have a playmaker like Richards. He gets reunited with Mo and has Nash and/or Zherdev as wingers. It's a winning deal for them.

Even more importantly, they have a load of young talent and picks that the Bolts desperately need.

It almost makes too much sense.

[jr]

Unfortunately, I share your pressimism, harvey.

Every indication is that Koules--who couln't make it in major league hockey--likes the idea of being an owner and calling all the shots whether he has money or not. I believe the short-term plan and long-term plans are the same--cut payroll to the bone and run the franchise on the cheap.

One thing I can add to asterisks' post: If the NHL Board of Governors approves the deal knowing Koules doesn't have the operating capital to properly run the team, they can join the list of co-defendants.

[harvey]

Yes weezer. That's what I meant by saying I fully understand the reasons to move him. My thoughts run a beyond that though. It's likely Prospal changes sweaters also which leaves us 2 top 6 guys. We get nearly 10 mil in salary relief from those 2 deals. Signing Boyle would take nearly 3.5 of that. Resigning Vinny will probably take another 2.5 or a little more which leaves 4 mil left to aquire a new 2nd line center and 3 top 6 wingers. Not to mention a goalie. It can't be done without a very strong return. Guys who can step into those roles. THAT is the key.

I don't think Boyle gets resigned anyway. No matter how bad torts and jf want him. I certainly don't know that for fact but it's just my opinion. Looking at this mess I think Koules is positioning this team for an overhaul by adding the most young players/prospects/picks as he can. Just my thoughts. I simply hope he understands that re-signing Vinny becomes very tough if he doesn't like what he sees in the locker room and doesn't like the teams direction.

If we don't get the right return, it will continue to get uglier. If we get some young developing talent and the near future looks bright, Vinny would likely stay. If not...........

As ajax says - it'll get worse before it gets better.

This is not a time to clean house just to clean it. There has to be a short term plan and a long term outlook. I'm not sure that's in place.

[Lightning rod]

It will be interesting to see which blogger got it right and who got it wrong.

My money is on Columbus, since they have a real opportunity and the apparent desire to get to the last dance of the season. If anyone has ever been to that Ohio State buckeye town, you would know that it's sports crazy; but for winners only. What else can you do, when all there is past the Interstate belt-way are miles and miles of cornfields, as far as the eye can see. I am not trying to insult anyone from the Columbus area; but the team's ownership knows that a good winning hockey team will mean sellouts for years to come.