Richards: Don't blame Torts, Feaster

Brad Richards said on a TSN interview, his only public conversation so far, that the "spiral'' in which Tampa Bay finds itself should not reflect on coach John Tortorella or general manager Jay Feaster

"It’s tough,'' Richards said. "Jay Feaster, John Tortorella built that organization into what we did in 2004. It was so good. It was the place to be. It really was, and all of a sudden we go the other way. There were  a lot of outside influences there. You don’t know who the owners are going to be, who they are. It’s a tough job and its unfortunate because it makes them look bad, but they really did a good job with that organization and don’t have a lot of control over what’s going on right now, and that’s unfortunate. Hopefully they get back on track.''

As for what waits for him in Dallas, Richards said he is excited at the opportunity.

"I think I need to get refreshed, a new beginning here,'' he said. "I just know it’s going to be an exciting experience for me, a change. After the last few years haven’t worked out as I would have hoped, but I’m excited, I’m motivated. I can’t wait to be on this team and the individual stuff will take care of itself.''

Asked if he had what it takes to propel the Stars to the Cup as he did for the Lightning in 2004 as the playoff MVP, Richards laughed.

"I’m excited. This is a fun time of year,'' he said. "I have full confidence I’ll be able to help the Dallas Stars. I’m sure they do, that’s why they traded for me, and we’ll just go from there.''
 

Comments

[As Reality Sets In...]

Classy Guy! Wish him the best.

One thing is for certain. Come April, May, and June, there will be a lot of people in Tampa cheering the Stars on!

I'd love for him to get another!

[Sad in the Bay]

such a sad day ... had to figure it would happen one day but the "Big Four" is no more

[keith]

Sad but necessary. Good luck Brad.
Always a class act, on and off the ice.
Your legacy is set firm.

[TroyB]

All the best to you Brad!

Go Stars!

[weezer]

I wish him the best but truthfully, he's not gonna knock his sugar daddy

[TJ]

Hate that it happened, but I understand why. Still don't like it. I do wish him the best and if the Bolts can't win the cup, I now hope the Stars do. Good luck Brad, no matter where you play, you'll still be a part of the Lightning. As Marty said after the Cup win, we'll walk together forever.

Go BOLTS!

[slapshot]

good trade, getting some young talent

[slapshot]

best of luck to brad, holmer and prospal with their new teams. hope they do good in the playoffs and hopfully go far. we may not get to see brad in a lightning uniform again but hopfully prospal comes back in the off season.

Good luck

Stars vs flyers in finals

[slapshot]

sadness

[Not The Marlboro Man]

I wouldn't blame someone who made me a multi-millionaire either. Jay Feaster doen't know how to "bargain" with players. He has proven it time and time again. Brad Richards got the better end of the deal out of the whole mess. Brett Hull loves him and has commented on him time and time again. I hope things work out for Dallas as I do for us. Because If Smith works out then all is forgotten.
But now that Richards, Prospal, Hlavic are all gone, where is the scoring going to be made up at? Surely they don't think Jokinen and Halpern are going to make it up. We now basically have the remnants of the MVP line and no second line and 3 4th lines left. We are no better off!

[saddest day in bolt history]

wow, what a class act. reminds me a little of the way john lynch left town.

No one has mentioned it but does anyone remember why Richards won the Smythe? Weren't the lightning undefeated, like 30-something and 0 that year when he scored a goal?

After Andy and Taylor he was the leader in the room and one of the elite players in this league although it didn't show in recent years when he was on a line with players who couldn't find the net with a gps and written directions (he never complained cause that's not who he is but he had grounds to do so).

I don't know how you can EVER replace all that (drawing another similarity to Lynch the Bucs have demonstrated they couldn't).

I really mad at this team right now. I will try to not blame Feaster since Brad says so although its hard. Torts I've always thought has doing the best he can with a bad situation. I understand trading Brad for salary reasons if that is what you need to do but to not get a sure #1 goalie in return is unacceptable to me...

[jr]

Although I rarely do it, I listened to the "Big Dog" interview Buffet Boy this afternoon. There was a lot said and even more implied about the input of fantasy owner Koules. Jay (if you can imagine it) tried to tiptoe around Doomick's questions but it became apparent that there was disagreement at the Council of War yesterday. Koules and his minor league hockey buddy wanted to trade Boyle and it took a plethora of pleading--and yelling--by Torts and Feaster to keep him.

I'm going to be cautiously optimistic about the team. I'm not optimistic about the Hollywood troll or the coach. I would think twice before renwing my season tickets...in fact, I'll wait till next summer to make a decision.

Bon Voyage, Killer...

[ajax]

I had to state, with a smile, why I love this blog. Most of the people I have talked to are happy with today. The main thought process being, you've hit rock bottom, you had to do something. I think it will go down as a day that changed the fortunes of the Tampa Bay Lightning for the good. But their are many people who are furious at the "saddest day in history" By the way that day for me was the day they signed Brad Richards to the Michael JOrdan contract. My point, pithy. Such wide emotional swings and reasons etc etc. Makes for so much fun and I don't even get mad at all of you that are so wrong. Yoke Yoke!!! It is just so much dern fun seeing how we all reason the same moves so differently!!! Where is Leo?? The Habs give the reins to Price. Doesn't sound like a good move to me. I hope the future is brighter with the changes. Good Luck to Brad, mentally it had to be killin him. I will give the new guys a standing "O' tomorrow night. They are part of the family now!!

[jr]

Boy, I'm glad I'm on the right (?) side on this one and avoid the wrath of ajax. A case of Ballentine, please.

[AndrewV]

Yes ajax, that's the way to look at it. This will be a rebuilding; we will see who the real fans are who will stick through this. It may not be until year after next for us to be back to playoff strength, but I for one am going to the game tomorrow vs. the Wild, and I will welcome the new players with open arms.

[Shawn]

I am a Lightning fan, season ticket holder, hockey player and resident. Do I think Brad will be missed here? Yes, without a doubt. But don't make him out to be the second coming. He needs help to accomplish, he's not Malkin or Vinny L. He tends to miss the net a hell of alot. ALOT.

And did I read correctly above that he is responsible in the defensive end and hits? Folks, I cannot remember the last time I saw Brad hit ANYONE. Brad is as soft as they come in the physical department. He will play his heart out until he's barfing, but he aint no Modano (in his prime). He also is one to make bonehead turnovers when he is overplaying.

I am excited about our incomings, and I will miss Brad, but it was time. I like Mike Smith, and I like Halpern's leadership. Like a bargain basement Andreychuck.

I'd honestly say, considering his $$$'s and production, that we inched this one out.

Time will tell.

[ajax]

Oh yeah, the drink I was going to buy. What a horrible trade, what was Feaster thinking? I made a bet? I must of been drowning my sorrows one night with that Marlboro man. I saw a flash of the Hossa trade. Safe to say Hossa was wanted a bit more than Brad. I will study more on it later. Case of caffeine free coke jr. When I saw the Hossa trade, who is an UFA, it got me dreaming of the Herschel Walker type trade this summer for Vinny. A 25 goal scorer, a #3 and #6 D, plus 2 #1 draft choices. I don't want to lose VL4 but if he doesn't sign before the season starts I sure hope Jay(or whomever is in charge) realizes the asset they are holding. But lets just enjoy the day!!

[Nan]

Hey Ajax, I don't think they (Torts and Feaster) would have traded Brad (their favorite) away if they didn't think they could resign Vinny.

[ben bolt fan]

Now let me get this straight. We now have traded away Modin and Richards for another backup goaly and still have Dennis in the minors at $ 3.5 mil. Now what you need to do Feaster is take Dennis and yourself to the Russian league and leave my six year old nephew to run the team. Because you have gutted a 60 assist player and a 30 goal scorer to repalce John Grahm and his repalcement is in the minors and NO ONE wants him!!!!!

[Leo from Murray River PEI]

Well AJAX... you got what you wanted. Uncle Feaster pulled the trigger and collected some cheap players. I sure hope that our lottery ticket in Mike Smith turns out to be a winner. I'm happy for Brad in that he gets to go to a club that is willing and able to spend all the way to the cap. I wouldn't be surprised to see #19 hoist another cup this year. The Lightning were in a real hole and what they did gives them a chance to change things. If they miss on Mike Smith... this will be a real bust of a trade as Jokinen is nothing special. Halpern is O-L-D and merely a 4th liner. God, I hope Mike Smith turns it on. I am still a Lightning fan but today was a tough pill to swallow.

[ajax]

Nan, I am sure they think they can. I was just walking thru the paces "IF" they don't. Lots more pieces and events before that day. I only hope one thing. The day they are allowed to extend his contract they better be working on it. If they start the year with him unsigned, that will be the second biggest mistake in Lightning history. I think VL4 will want to see commitment from new owners to winning now. That is what we all want. Time will tell, but VL4 won't be around for a rebuilding project. Will be an interesting next couple of months around here, but we are adding pieces. Leo if Halpern can play 17 minutes a night for Dallas, the team with the 2nd best record in hockey, exactly where would that rank him with MacDonald, Karlsson, Ward, Hvalat, Darche and Ouelet?. Both guys will make our team and get minutes, EASY, over what we have had the past two years. Today was a piece of bit-o-honey. peace. Price in the driver's seat in Montreal. Mighty Risky business.

[Monday]

Hey Richards need help moving? I cant get you the hell out of here fast enough. You suck.

[Patricia]

Brad is a stand up guy and always was. Hopefully he can show his talent in Dallas that he couldnt do in Tampa. You will be missed. Especially Prospal for me. He has had a great season and his energy was amazing. Hopefully we will get him back! I think thats our biggest loss this season. Holmer, man thanks for helping us out when we had no one (because Denis sucks). You will be an awesome goalie, given the experience and the right team. You will shine! good luck guys! You will be missed!

[Jake]

ben bolt fan,
Great comment and assessment. I agree.

[Michael]

Monday... It is you that sucks!! Brad needs players arround him, just like Vinny and Marty do. Lets see, who have his linemates been the last 2 years? Feditanko, who was taken off the line with the 2 Vinnys last season due to not scorring, Eric Perrin, who came into the season not having scorred 1 goal in his career, Jason Ward, who isnt a second line player, Jan Hlavic, who must have made the hockey gods very angry with him for as many times as he was robbed by the goalie or the goal post,and Michel Ouellet, who missed like 20 some games, and hasnt been the answer anyway. And you cant see why Richards never lived up to his contract? If not, YOU ARE A FOOL!!

[Steve]

Well, we have now officially become a one-line team. If Smith doesn't end up being all that and a bag of chips, this team will be cooked for the next 5 seasons. AND Vinny4 will be looking for the escape hatch at this time next year, I assure you.

[Lightning rod]

I say nothing but the best of luck to Brad Richards. He is in my opinion a very good hockey player, and will likely prove it at Dallas. He is one of the main reasons that we have a Stanley Cup banner hanging from the rafters, which I never really believed possible. That era is over, and unfortunately has been for some time.

I don't except much from the team that will be on the ice for the rest of the season; and the summer will be the time that we find out what real commitment the probable new ownership will make toward the building of a new/renovated team. Keeping Boyle is a good sign.

The remaining games should tell if Smith has the right stuff to be a #1 goalie, or if he is another work-in-progress. If it's the later, then Washington is the logical place to look for a #1, since they picked-up Huet and have Kolzig & a good back-up. Also, it will be a time to see who has real character, pride, and the will to win, since there is little else to play for.

[Patrick]

Vinny L doesn't need help? Let's see him turn the crap Brad has been skating with into 20 goal scorers. Instead, Vinny has been skating with Prospal (averages 50-60 points a season) and Marty (who needs no introduction). In fact, if Vinny L is SO much better, why did the coaches never once put him on a line with Ward and Hlavac and ask him to make it work?

I'm not trying to rag on Vinny L or make Brad out to be more than he was, just pointing out the inconsistent expectations that most people had with Brad and the fact Vinny is never looked at with the some "objectivity".