Center Brad Richards, now an ex-Ranger

Well that didn’t take long.  Literally hours after Derek’s offseason post (and just a couple of days into the compliance buyout window) the other shoe has finally dropped vis-a-vis Brad Richards since according to Pierre LeBrun, the decision has been made to buy out the 34-year old center with six years left on the nine-year deal he signed, after an up-and-down three years as a Ranger.

Much was expected of Richards after signing a nine year, $58.5 million contract in the summer of 2011 and for at least a year it seemed as if it was a sound investment as Richards had a 66-point regular season and another 15 in the Rangers’ ECF playoff run.  Unfortunately for the vet center 2013 wasn’t as smooth sailing after the lockout, despite putting up 34 points in a shortened season Richards found himself on the outs with former ally John Tortorella by the end of the playoffs – being demoted to the fourth line and finally, a healthy scratch.  Under new coach Alain Vigneault this year, Richards rebounded to an extent putting up twenty goals and fifty-one points in the regular season and another twelve points during the Rangers’ surprise SCF run.

Still with this being the last chance available to use a compliance buyout (and other key pieces due for raises in the near future) it was in the cards for some time that Richards’ days as a Ranger were numbered, particularly with the cap recapture penalty that the Rangers would have been hit with had he retired before the end of his deal.  Between his three seasons and the buyout, Richards won’t be hurting financially since he’ll eventually be paid $51 million of his $58.5 million deal.  While he may not be the first-line beast he used to be in Tampa and early on as a Ranger, he’s certainly still a useful player and can help another team.  Maybe even my team, who knows.

I’m sure Derek will have more to say on this later.