The Avalanche had another relatively quiet draft weekend (check with Jori for all the details on the draftees). GM Francois Giguere made one notable deal, sending forward Brad Richardson to the Kings for a 2nd round pick.
I like Richie. Like most everyone else, I don’t think he was used properly by Joel Quenneville. I thought there might be a chance for career revival under Tony Granato, but I guess that wasn’t in the cards. Frankly, the Avalanche have too many established forwards and enough developing forwards to make Richardson expendable. And to get a 2nd round pick for him? Yeah, sign me up for that one. I’ll miss him, but that’s a good trade for the Avs. It’s a good trade for Richie too - as long as Joel Quenneville doesn’t become the coach in LA, Richardson should get some good chances to fill into his 40-point potential.
good value on the trade, but it’s a shame to see Richie go instead of Arnason. It doesn’t shock me I guess, as I’m sure no one would give the Avs what they considered fair value for him.
We won’t know how this trade works out until this goalie matures. Anything less than a backup NHL goalie/tandem-er, and the Avs lost on this one.
Fair value for Arnason:
http://nhl.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1368091nm.jpg
I don’t think it will be fair value after Richardson plays next year. That move smelled of desperation for the Avs who have to have big concerns about their goalie depth. Sauer’s collapse in the Frozen Four is responsible for this if you ask me. I think the Avs will regret this move sooner rather than later.
I too think the Avs will regret this move…while it probably won’t be any where near the same regret as the Drury trade, I bet it’s bigger than Yelle, Vrbata…(and we know how those guys do against us). Heck even Hinote has become a thorn in the Av’s side, though he seems to only be able to score against Colorado.
I think Richardson would have to wonder what he did to piss off the Hockey Gods if Q ends up coaching in L.A.
Oh geez, get over it, it was Brad freaking Richardson for the love of god, a glorified minor leaguer who projects as a 3rd or 4th liner…at best…cmon, we didn’t trade a stud here…