Blackhawks sign Brad Richards to 1-year, $2M contract
The Chicago Blackhawks have signed ex-Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, and New York Rangers pivot Brad Richards, according to Darren Dreger of TSN.
It's OFFICIAL: Welcome to Chicago, center Brad Richards! Signed to a 1-year deal.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 1, 2014
1 year, $2 mil for Brad Richards to Chicago.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2014
The 34-year-old center is something of a liability at five-on-five at this point in his career, especially against tough competition. That New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault monitored Richards' matchups and deployment so closely in the regular season is a red flag, as is his demotion to the fourth-line against the Los Angeles Kings.
Like many formerly elite talents whose two-way abilities are diminished due to advancing age, Richards remains a productive offensive player despite having lost a step and his 'fastball' in recent years. Richards can direct traffic with the best of them on the power-play (though ideally from the half-wall and not from the point, as he was forced to do in New York), and remains a stellar set up man.
At this point in his career Richards is probably best suited to an offensively calibrated depth role on a good team...