Dillman updates Richards' status with Kings
/Los Angeles Times reporter Lisa Dillman was on Winnipeg’s TSN 1290 on Thursday afternoon.
On possible scenarios under which Mike Richards might rejoin the Kings this season:
“I’m glad you asked about him because there has been a development – a small one and it was kind of planned. He’s actually not with the Monarchs right now. He’s in L.A.. He’s been training and working out at El Segundo. They’re putting him through physical testing. They’re trying to establish a baseline. Really, Dean Lombardi said they want to see where he’s at. I think they want to evaluate and go from there.
“He’s been working out with a trainer this week. I don’t know how long he’s staying. The team returns from this trip on Friday. I’m not quite sure if he’ll still be there when they get back. It’s very unofficial. There hasn’t been a roster move or anything and I don’t think anything is imminent.
“But if that’s your question, I think that yes, I think we could see him back – especially if they make the playoffs, under a playoff scenario. Or, like you said, if there’s an injury at center ice, sure.
“Darryl Sutter is a Mike Richards fan. He’s made it a point to tell us several times, ‘I still think he has a lot of hockey left in him.’
“Whether that’s the case remains to be seen, of course. But I could see him coming back, certainly.”
On if the concern is that Richards has some health issues and isn’t able to play at that level, or if it’s related to basic conditioning and preparedness to play at the level at which he used to be able to play in the NHL:
“When they decided not to use one of their compliance buyouts on him, he vowed to Dean Lombardi that he was going to get in shape and he would work extra hard with a trainer in the off-season, which was very short of course.
“And I think he did work harder than he was used to working , but whether that was hard enough... I don’t think they thought that was the case. Everything I’ve heard, they are pleased with his attitude. I mean, he’s a good soldier, like you said. But I think they want to see this off-ice type training, whether that comes up a few levels to where it should be to see where he could be in those terms. That’s what I keep hearing.
“He has the smarts. His hockey IQ is off the charts, we all know that.
“Circling back a little bit, he has lost a step. It’s clear. It’s fine at the AHL level. You can’t tell there. But at this level, that little drop-off is noticeable.”
On if the Kings were at all close to trading Richards at the deadline, if any team had any significant interest, or if the contract prevented any sort of deal:
“I think a few people might have kicked the tires. I think right before he was put on waivers, I think there were more serious talks. I think a couple of people checked in to see how desperate the Kings were - if they could fleece them (laughs) – which wasn’t going to happen.
“But I think there was maybe a little bit more interest then than there was at the deadline. I didn’t hear of anything remotely serious out there.”
Source: TSN 1290/ Transcript: Nichols on Hockey