Brad Richards discusses trade rumours
Brad Richard visited Toronto on Monday with his club the Dallas Stars, who were taking on the Maple Leafs, and took the time to address the trade rumours that have been swirling around him since the start of the season.
Richards has been a topic of discussion since the start of the year, as the 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract and has yet to sign an extension with the Stars. Richards is expected to be the biggest name on the free agent market at the end
of the season. However, if the Stars are unable to sign the veteran, it is likely he will be traded.
“I’m not going to lie to you, the situation is what it is,” Richards told the Canadian Press. “It’s not something that isn’t talked about, and it’s not something that Joe and I haven’t talked about. We know the situation is not ideal for the time being to
[sign a new contract].”
The P.E.I. native currently makes $7.8 million and therefore it is unlikely we will see him moved before the trade deadline when teams would only have to pay a portion of his contract.
Trading Richards would be very beneficial for the Stars, who are once again struggling near the bottom of the Western Conference. Trading away their star player would certainly help them stockpile draft picks and prospects for a possible re-build.
The three clubs said to be the most interested in Richards are the Montreal Canadiens, the New York Rangers and the Maple Leafs. Richards addressed the questions about him being traded to Toronto on Monday.
“When the time comes, if that’s an option, Toronto’s always a number one hockey destination,” stated Richards. “It would be great being a Canadian playing in Toronto, but we’re not even close to that bridge yet. And like I said, I’m focused here.”
So far this season Richards has 10 goals and 15 assists in 19 games.
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