The LA Kings have a known salary cap problem. They are hovering just below the cap, and they need to free up some space. How exactly they do that, however, is the big question. Their lines are full of quality talent. Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, and Tyler Toffoli, are just a few examples. But with great talent, comes great salary cap hits, and that means you have to let go of those who get in the way.
Right now, it seems that Mike Richards has gotten in the way. He’s already been demoted to third line and has been playing at a fourth line level. He hasn’t been producing as much as he did last year, and he’s coming up to simply be a salary cap burden.
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Many people were expecting the Kings to buy out his contract before the 2014-2015 season began, seeing as he carries a $5.75 million cap hit for the next five seasons. But to be fair, it’s not the Kings fault that they’re in this salary cap mess. The current contract is still left over from Richards signing a 12 year $69 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers prior to be traded to the Kings in 2012.
However, maybe it’s better that they didn’t buy out Richards, because all that leads to is the loss of what can be a quality center. While Richards hasn’t been playing at his best level, and has been playing on decreased ice time, he can still be good when he’s getting on the ice. The first two lines of the Kings are made up of great quality, there simply just isn’t any room for Richards in that mix. It’s not that he’s bad, it’s just that the Kings don’t have much use for him right now. Richards makes great trading leverage.
There’s already been trade rumors circulating for a while now, such as the possibility of Richards being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. But what do the Leafs have that the Kings could use to their advantage? Maybe Jake Gardiner, but there are better players out there that the Kings can get for Richards without having to cough up draft picks. Our draft picks are looking more and more important moving forward as the LA Kings are going to need to bring in some serious talent to make up for a lack of production this year.
So let’s take a look at the possible new homes for Mike Richards, and see who we may be able to grab to create some productivity on our lines. So far, there are two major possibilities, and that seems to be Winnipeg and Toronto. I already mentioned Jake Gardiner, but it seems that the Kings are going to have to cough up a draft pick along with Richards in order to get the Leafs to give up a defenseman with as much potential as Gardiner does. But what does Winnipeg have to offer?
Flame for Thought
I’m ready to take a lot of flack for saying that the Kings may want to try to pick up Evander Kane. Now this will definitely require the Kings to cough up a first round pick, but with Kane’s youth, and his great upside potential, could he possibly be the Kings answer to Richards lack of production? I think Evander Kane would be a great fit at the LA Kings as he can play aggressive and create plays.
But that’s just me. What do you guys think? Should the Kings even trade Richards? Would Evander Kane be a good fit for the Kings? Or should we try to pick up another defenseman in Jake Gardiner from the Maple Leafs. We’d love to hear from you.
Go Kings Go!