All the talk finally ends today, the cards get put on
the table and the deals either happen or they die. Today is a fun day for the fans, not only of
the New York Rangers, but all around the league whether it is to see what your
team is going to “buy” or what your franchise is going to get for the players
they trade away in hopes of being better next season. For Rangers fans Brad Richards is the man at
the center of the rumors and whether the deal happens may come right down to the 3 pm
wire. Will the Rangers pull the trigger
on Brad Richards despite his current concussion and looming free agent
status? If they do, what will it cost
them to get him? For the record, at least
on the surface, I am against the move, as I discussed here.
Obviously, as with all trades, the details of the trade will be the
ultimate determinant on how they are perceived and judged.
Today the main attraction, possibly league wide, will
be his stare down with Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk over Brad Richards. In one sense Nieuwendyk holds the cards in
that he can hold onto Richards and make a playoff push with his club while
telling the fans they want to win and there was no offer worth sacrificing this season away for. By holding onto him, Nieuwendyk also
retains the chance over the next four months to work out a deal to keep
Richards in Dallas long term. The interim time would allow the organization to show that their ownership situation is settled and allow Richards comfort in the direction of the team going forward.
On the other hand, Nieuwendyk is in a corner where keeping
Richards means he risks losing him for nothing this summer.
Add to that the concussion that is currently sidelining Richards and you
have a player who clearly was the best possible piece on the market having a
diminished value due to a level of uncertainty with how he will respond and
when he can play. Making matters worse
for Nieuwendyk is that if he deals Richards his preference would be to deal him
outside the Western Conference. According to Helene
Elliot of the LA Times that is exactly the thinking in Dallas.
Talk now is that Stars will keep Brad Richards instead of trading him. Or at least won't trade him within West. Narrows Kings' options...
If that is the case, in the event they do attempt to move Richards, that further narrows the field of
competing offers for Nieuwendyk to use against Glen Sather in their trade
discussions. New York might be the only
team in the Eastern Conference that has both the interest in dealing for
Richards and the potential for Richards to waive his no-trade clause. Tampa Bay would be a logical place, but there
has been no real discussion about them getting involved. Toronto has been rumored, but reports were
that he would not go waive to go there.
Who would that leave?
Boston? Have the best trade chip
in Toronto’s first rounder, but cap issues that could make a deal difficult. Washington? That would be one way to shake up their
stagnant offense, but they would have cap problems in the move as well and just claimed Marco Sturm off waivers. Carolina? This would be an interesting fit as they have the cap space, but who knows if Richards would waive to go there.
I am going
into today with an open mind because of how well Glen Sather has done in trades lately. He has done
a very good job in protecting the youth of the team, while getting other teams
to give him what he wants at his price. Sather
has to be patient with this and remember the big picture as he has done so well
to this point. If they come to the price he
wants to pay, then he pull the trigger, and then the rest of us will debate whether the move was worth the final cost. If not, then do not be afraid to fold your hand, walk
away, and wait until July 1.
Either way the drama ends, at least in one sort, no
later than the 3pm trade deadline this afternoon. Should be fun.
