Comments on: Richards signing Imminent

By: Archion113

Archion113 — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:16:02 +0000

How is it a big gamble to sign one of your top players to a long term deal at an incredibly low price? 5.75m cap hit is very low for the potential that Richards has. If he puts up 100 pts the next few years Holmgren will be a genius. Besides if things don't work out they can trade Richards. His NTC doesn't kick in for another 4 seasons i think.

Why you'd want Steen over Richards just shows your ignorance.

By: CDyer

CDyer — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 13:00:56 +0000

The Flyers are going to build around Richards and Carter. This signing won’t be as detrimental as some of you are making it out to be. Richards will likely be a 70-80 point player for the majority of his career and will always be on the + side of the +/-. He is a Rod Brind’amour in the making… Funny that the Flyers had him at one point too. I don’t think Richards is Bob Clarke but definitley a Brind’amour. The Flyers have known since Richards rookie season that he was to be the captain someday and knew that he was going to be better all-around than Carter. I’m in agreement with this signing and I’m not even a Flyers fan. Richards will be one of the top 30 players in the league this year and likely top 20 next year, so on and so forth. There aren’t too many who play both sides of the ice well and also offer a bit of a physical edge. Holmgren isn’t the best GM around but this signing is not a knock on him if Richards is a guy he wants to build the team around.

By: litflyersfan

litflyersfan — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:41:55 +0000

hate to break it too from another Flyers fan the term of the contract is WAY TOO long I love Richards and everything he's brought up to this point but an injury or two will make him almost impossible to move. Yes I would like him to become the next iron man, replacing former Flyer Rod Brind'Amor, but there's just too many things that can happen. In addition the Flyers also have Briere under contract for the next 7 seasons and his contract has a no movement clause if even one player doesn't live up to the high expectation the Flyers are in a very tough situation, even more so now that Scott Hartnell and his $4.2 avg a year deal has thus far turned out into a complete bust. Hopefully Holmgren did his homework otherwise the long term for the Flyers isn't looking so bright.

By: FlyaPat

FlyaPat — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:28:16 +0000

Stop commenting on Flyers issues since your not from Philly and no nothing about the Flyers!

By: NiittymakiForVezina

NiittymakiForVezina — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 13:57:17 +0000

People boo McCabe cause he scores more goals for the other team than his own.

By: UsedandAbused

UsedandAbused — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:20:05 +0000

He is the franchise player and over 12 years the contract will end up being a bargain. I guess it just comes down to really thinking he will live up to his end and him being so young. I hear what you are saying and most players I wouldn't agree with this contract, but I believe Richards is worth the risk.

By: UsedandAbused

UsedandAbused — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:10:53 +0000

I agree many players don't live up to their potential, but don't forget the ones that do. I believe Richards is the type of player who will live up to his end. You know there is risk in every signing. If Flyers signed Carter or Umberger to this sort of deal I would be more concerned. I really think in this situation they made the right move, and only time will tell.

By: flyersfan10897

flyersfan10897 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 02:16:46 +0000

you mean the GM that took them from dead last to contending for the division, a playoff spot, and a playoff run in 6 months? yup, he horrible. he should be fired immediately.

By: the_word

the_word — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:09:18 +0000

Stupid deal, 12 years for a guy just starting to flourish? Holgrem is an overated GM. Building a team with Briere, Gagne, Hartnell and Richards as a long, long, long term foundation is trying to do too much too soon. Outside of Gagne who is starting to look like another Flyer whose career will be ruined by multiple concussions, none of these players are blue chip building blocks. Holgrem is burying this team in contracts that they can't possibly trade if any of these players become a bust. No cap room on the horizon to to build around this foundation. A big gamble and not a necessary one.

Thats not to say that Richards isn't a great young player, but harldy one that merits a 12 year deal.

And to throw in the obligatory Leaf connection, there once was a time that the Leafs could have trade Alexander Steen for Richards (after their rookie campaign). So for the Steen supports, be greatful that we dodge that bullet huh?

By: chanman

chanman — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:32:47 +0000

IDK, it seems too much $ and too too long. Anything more than 5 years is a serious gamble.