Fan In Van

Brad Richards, Anyone?

TSN: The word on the street from rival general managers around the league is that Lightning GM Jay Feaster is in a situation where he’s being told by potential team owner Oren Koules to find out what he could get for veteran forward Brad Richards.

Now Richards’ $7.8 million annual salary could draw some apprehension. But as Darren Dreger notes, the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens - teams that already have interest in big names like Sundin, Hossa and Jokinen - could all have interest. The Edmonton Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets could also be players for Richards.

As a hockey fan who watched an incredible Stanley Cup final prior to the lockout, I can tell you that I absolutely love the way Brad Richards plays. He represents everything the Canucks sorely lack. He’s got great playmaking skills and has a nose for the net at the same time. In short, I would be willing to give an arm and a leg for a player of his calibre.

But not at a 7.8M contract.

Had Lightning GM Jay Feaster not stupidly signed Richards to a ludicrous 7.8M contract that expires in 2011, I would be all over this deal. I would wrap up two of our top prospects, a roster player and a draft pick or two in order to get him, but Richards’ salary is hefty and over the top. In addition, the fact he’s a left-handed shot and not a right presents a bit of concern for me.

And what has Brad Richards done since he earned his new contract? After his Stanley Cup win, he followed up the post-lockout year with a monstrous 91 points but when signed to a 7.8M, five-year deal in May of 2006, he posted only a 70-point campaign and looks poised to follow that up with another counter-productive season with 68 points.

But again, look at what Brad Richards has done in the playoffs: In 2004, the amazing run the Lightning put on could not have been possible had it not been for the PEI native’s 12 goals and 26 points in 24 games. In years after, the centre has shown that he is a consistent playoff performer, something the Canucks cannot say they own. And let’s be honest, when Trevor Linden is your leading playoff scorer, you know you have a problem.

To sum up, what are the Canucks going to do? While Brad Richards and Roberto Luongo on the same team is enough to make any Canuck fan wet himself, this trade just doesn’t make sense financially. If Richards comes, it means two collective things: 1) Brendan Morrison will not be brought back unless at a minimal salary and 2) The Canucks do not have long-term plans for the Sedin twins. Both are things I could never see happening.