Wings add veteran center Richards in another free-agent deal
The decision Tuesday to buy out underachieving center Stephen Weiss had far-reaching implications a day later.
Just a few hours after landing puck-moving defenseman Mike Green to fill a critical need, the Red Wings today added veteran center Brad Richards, a two-time Stanley Cup champion, to the fold.
Richards, 35, is a veteran of 14 NHL seasons with Tampa Bay, Dallas, the New York Rangers and the Chicago Blackhawks, agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million.
A 6-foot, 196-pound left-shot pivot, Richards won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP with Tampa Bay in 2004. He also won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship that year.
He scored 12 goals among 37 points in 76 games with the Cup champion Blackhawks this season. He has 288 goals and 904 points in 1,058 games. Richards is a versatile center who gives the Wings another threat on the point of their power play, and his experience complements all the youth the team has among its corps of forwards.
He also provides the club a bit of insurance if Pavel Datsyuk isn't ready to start the season after undergoing ankle surgery last week.
A native of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island, Richards enjoyed his most productive NHL season in 2005-06, finishing with 91 points (23-68-91) in 82 games with the Lightning, a feat he matched with the Dallas Stars (24-67-91) over 80 games in 2009-10.
He has also appeared in 141 career postseason games, notching 36 goals among 104 points.
