Red Wings' Richards to 'relax' before deciding on future
Brad Richards plans to clear his head before deciding if he wants to give it another go in the NHL.
The Detroit Red Wings forward is coming off his 15th season in the league and admits the last three years have been draining.
"Going to go get away and relax for a bit," Richards said last week, according to MLive.com's Brendan Savage. "Three teams in three years, a lot of hockey, so I think mentally I think I need to just go recharge the batteries."
Richards had 10 goals and 28 points in 68 games in his first season with the Red Wings - a team that faltered in the first round of the playoffs, but that he still felt honored playing for.
"It's an honor to play for this organization," said Richards. "I think it's one of the Original Six great traditions. But I'm talking to you today and I've been fortunate the last two years to play 'til June and you get spoiled. Watching playoff games now and there's nothing like that time of year.
"As far as playing for the Wings and wearing the jersey, all that stuff's been an honor. But obviously the season didn't go the way I wanted it to or the team wanted it to."
Richards' totals with the Red Wings were the lowest of his career and marked the sixth-straight season in which his points per game has declined.
The 2004 Conn Smythe Trophy winner enjoyed his 36th birthday Monday and admits the thought of retirement is looming.
"Guys that I grew up and started my career with are retiring," said Richards. "It's probably going to creep into my mind here in the next month a little bit too in what I want to do. I'm not there yet where I want to say I'm retiring. I need to get away and kind of see mentally how I feel and where I'm at.
"It's a young man's game now and it's hard to start a family and all that stuff and put in the time and effort it takes to stay in shape against some of these young guys. You do have to make sure you're 100 percent all in mentally. The offseasons so big at this age."
If Richards calls it a career, he'll conclude his time in the league with 298 goals and 932 points.