Richards did it as a 24-year old. Nine years later, the veteran center is 33 and in the second year of a nine-year $60 million contract signed in July ’11. At the time, it made sense for Rangers President and GM Glen Sather to add a play-making pivot who could provide offense and veteran leadership to a young nucleus. His first year on Broadway was respectable with Richards ranking second in team scoring with 66 points (25-41-66). He led them in assists (41) and tied with captain Ryan Callahan for the club lead in game-winning goals (9). He also paced the Blueshirts with 24 power play points (7-17-24). 

On an offensively challenged team, Richards elevated his play in the postseason- pacing the Rangers with 15 points (6-9-15). That included his miraculous tying goal with 7.7 seconds left in Game 5 of the Conference Semifinals against Washington. Marc Staal won it in overtime with a power play goal. The Rangers needed seven games before advancing to their first Eastern Conference Final in 15 years. Richards struggled against New Jersey as did most of his teammates, who were unable to provide Henrik Lundqvist enough offense. However, that group went down fighting. In the last two games, they rallied from three-goal and two-goal deficits before falling to the Devils. 

A Spring later and this year’s Blueshirts continue to have similar issues. Lundqvist carried them through against the Caps posting consecutive shutouts. Depth players provided a spark in a 5-0 runaway setting up the Conference Semi against Boston. A lot’s happened to Richards in this shortened season. He’s struggled throughout. Whether it’s due to his dedicated involvement raising money for Hurricane Sandy or the lack of a training camp, he hasn’t been the same player. It took an 11-point surge in the final half dozen games to push his season total to 34 (11-23-34). Many critics have pointed to the competition it came against. However, without that production, the Rangers don’t even get here in a year where they added Rick Nash. 

How’s Nash looked this postseason? He and Richards have an identical amount of goals (1). While Nash hasn’t been able to finish consistently, he’s younger and stronger as well as faster. He has shown better skating legs against the Bruins. The problem is he’s up against the best defenseman in hockey, Zdeno Chara. Boston has done a stellar job bringing two guys to Nash every time he’s crossed their blueline. However, the Rangers need the big power forward to fight through checks and drive to the net. Tuukka Rask could have a lounge chair at the beach. That’s how easy it’s been.

Unfortunately, Richards has fallen on the depth chart dramatically. He’s gone from top center to healthy scratch in record time. When Sather acquired Derick Brassard as part of a four-player blockbuster that sent Marian Gaborik to Columbus, it enabled Tortorella to use Brassard more once he gained the trust of the coaching staff. He rewarded them with a nine point (2-7-9) first round. However, his turnover in Game 1 led to Brad Marchand’s OT winner setting the tone for the second round series. Richards only has one point and is minus-three with 18 shots in 10 games. His ice-time had dwindled to below nine minutes Tuesday. 

It’s more than a lack of production. The former playoff MVP has skated around aimlessly turning over pucks. His passing has been off. Tortorella continued to trot out Richards to quarterback one of two power play units. By now, the Rangers’ ineptitude is well documented. Unable to sustain any momentum, their man-advantage has boosted the Bruins’ confidence. They give no respect and take shorthanded chances as if they’re up a man. It’s embarrassing. If there is one criticism of the coach, it’s been the lack of a power play under assistant Mike Sullivan. Moving forward, something must change. You can’t be that bad. All year, Lundqvist has harped on our special teams. It’s continued to be a sore spot. 

The Rangers find themselves trailing 3-0. They’ve been dominated by a deeper, faster and more physical team. Anton Stralman is also out thanks to a heavy hit from Milan Lucic. Tortorella is playing ancient NHL fossil Roman Hamrlik. He’ll barely see the ice, which means an iron man competition for Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and Mike Del Zotto. How desperate is the coach? Based on the morning skate, it looks like Kris Newbury and Michael Haley are in for Richards and Arron Asham. Ryane Clowe also skated and might play for Chris Kreider. 

True enough, the Rangers have been badly beaten along the walls. The lack of toughness has been exposed. A year ago with Brandon Prust and Brandon Dubinsky at his arsenal, Tortorella never had to concern himself with this. Even with Derek Dorsett, they’re out-muscled. The defense doesn’t hit enough and the roster relies on Ryan Callahan too much. No wonder his offense has suffered. Nobody plays harder than him and Girardi. Unless the changes work, it could be a long off season.