Joe Nieuwendyk, aware that his team can't afford to bring Brad Richards back, has decided he wants to get something instead of nothing for his star center. This process will be made complicated because Richards has a NTC.
"(The search) is going well," Nieuwendyk said. "We've met some impressive candidates. Hopefully I would like to get it done before the draft – certainly before free agency."
Well, it would be really smart to get it done before July 1st and free agency because by then you'd have no rights to trade Joe. Whether you think it is worth it or not (I don't), if Richards' rights go to another team that team has a huge inside track on the competition. Not only because they get a few more weeks to try and wine and dine Richards, but because it would mean Richards waived his NTC to be there and to try and make it work with that team. Definitely food for thought if his rights get dealt to New York or another team.
I know that many of you already assumed (correctly) that Richards' rights could be had, but now it is official. Thought I would throw it up for further discussion to see if you guys think it is worth it or not and what asset(s) you would be willing to give up to have the inside track on landing Brad Richards.
