Dallas Will NOT Offer Brad Richards a New Contract

In news that will get Ranger fans very excited, TSN reported today that the Dallas Stars will not be offering center Brad Richards a new contract when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Richards, age 31, led the Stars in scoring this past season with 28 goals and 49 assists in 72 games, and has been rumored to be a prime target of the Blueshirts this coming summer. 

Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk offered his reasoning as to why he will not be offering Richards a new contract (ESPN)...

“There’s really not any point because we know that he is not going to sign without an owner,” said Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk, addressing a report by TSN that there would be no offer made to Richards. 

The Stars will now look to trade Richards’ rights before free agency. 

“We’ll need Brad’s permission to do that,” said Nieuwendyk, referring to Richards’ no-trade clause. 

Head coach John Tortorella has hinted that the Rangers need more skill up front going forward, and he hasn't shied away when he's been asked about possibly re-uniting with his former top centerman on the Stanley Cup winning Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004. I'm sure Glen Sather took note of that. 

Last week we reported that the Rangers may be interested in acquiring Richards' rights prior to July 1, therefore they could eliminate competition for the time being. Both the Maple Leafs and Kings have been rumored to potentially go after Richards in free agency, and both have more breathing space as far as the cap goes than New York does. The acquisition of Brad's rights would give the Rangers a key advantage, but they will have to pay up if they want to do so. 

Comments

[MvpGaborik]

This got me very excited to say the least!...we've heard this rumors for such a long time...i really would be shocked if the Rangers dont end up with him...plus my name is Brad to and i cant remember rooting for any of my favorite teams who have had my name before! lol...on another rumor, i read somewhere today that Jagr wants a decision or to at least know whats going on with his career within the week...reports said hes still considering the KHL and NHL...also stated that the Rangers are monitoring the situation

[Swedefour]

Girardi has to be on the list to Dallas is NYR execute this Brad plan.

[JohnP]

We will have to give up solid assets and then pay the walking concussion. Stay away! Besides he is 31 and we have a very young team why bother with this guy? Go in another direction, I'm sure with the players we have in the AHL we can trade for a top scorer, Richards is not the answer!

[Nick Montemagno]

Eh, I wouldn't do that. I know opinions on Girardi are conflicting, but I absolutely wouldn't let him go for Richards' rights. He is too valuable.

[Nick Montemagno]

I think if he comes back to NHL it will be Pittsburgh.

[Tim]

Couldn't agree more. Traded prospects so you can sign a guy who's never scored 40 goals to play for you until he's 39 is not what a rebuilding team does...

[Lindsay]

AND JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO BELIEVE ALL THE BRAD RICHARDS AS A RANGER TALK, THIS JUST CAME IN VIA THE HOCKEY NEWS:

it turns out, the NHL’s board of governors might have two ownership transfers to approve at its meeting June 21.

The owners will definitely vote on the sale and transfer of the Atlanta Thrashers, but a source believes the Dallas Stars sale to Vancouver businessman Tom Gagliardi could be completed soon as well. With the Phoenix and Atlanta situations resolved – at least temporarily in the case of Phoenix – the NHL is thought to be turning its attention to Dallas.

It’s believed the banks that are running the Stars and Gagliardi are deeply into negotiations that will see Gagliardi buy the team and half the lease to the American Airlines Arena in Dallas for about $160 million.

Having an owner in place for that board of governors meeting would be a boon to the Stars and would give them a chance, contrary to published reports, to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent Brad Richards before July 1. Without an owner in place, there’s virtually no way Richards will stay in Dallas.

After Dallas gets taken care of, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will then focus on the situations in New Jersey and Los Angeles. The equity fund that owns 49 percent of the Devils reportedly wants out and a buyer is being sought. And rumors that Kings majority owner Philip Anschutz also wants to sell simply won’t go away.

[Ian]

This is my point of view as well, I'm not a fan of tying up the years and dollars for a guy who's peaked, and will be cashing big checks at 35-36 when he'll be on his home stretch. I don't see it looking like a good move when his contract is done, assuming he signs in NY.

[JohnP]

As of this morning and according to Larry Brooks, Richards may have already priced himself out of New York. Seems he is looking for $7mm+ and a long terms deal 5+ years. No way that Rangers can or should do this, and one reason is that Dubi is looking for $4mm-$5mm per which I doubt he gets. He isn't a player to warrant that money. I can see giving him $3mm-$3.5mm.
This is going to be a long tough summer for Sather, he is now going to need to find scoring from a source or sources other than Richards and could be a blessing in disguise. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make.

[Nick Montemagno]

Just saw this and posted an article on it. I think it may officially be time to move on from Richards.

[Agentsmith24]

girardi for richards rights? u cant think of dealing him until erixon plays for a while and maybe mcilrath too.

for a players rights u would probably have to do a conditional pick.

[DOM]

please dont trade dan girardi guy was our best d-man last year along with stalsie.

[Nick Montemagno]

No worries - Danny G shouldn't be going anywhere.