Should Howson go for Richards?

This was going to be the "Stat of the day" but then I got on a roll.

So yeah..great win last night but the topic of the CBJ nation is Tampa center Brad Richards. So in tribute I did a little diggin -- here is how Brad Richards has stacked up against the other top centers in this league the past 4 years:

2007 - 2008:
Scoring: 25th
Goals: 26th
Assists: 21st
+/-: 223 (dead last)
Nearest Jacket in overall points: Fedorov @ 63rd

2006 - 2007:
Scoring: 23rd
Goals: 25th
Assists: 22nd
+/-: 227
Nearest Jacket center in overall points: Fedorov @ 59th

2005 - 2006:
Scoring: 5th
Goals: 27th
Assists: 4th
+/-: tied @ 90th
Nearest Jacket center in overall points: Fedorov @ 53rd

2004 - 2005:
LOCKOUT

2003 - 2004:
Scoring: 3rd
Goals: 10th
Assists: 3rd
+/-: tied @ 17th
Nearest Jacket center in overall points: Marchant @ 63rd

So there you have it.

Richards highest rank in terms of overall point production at center has been 3rd overall in the league. As the Lightning have struggled so to has his overall production dropping to 25th in overall scoring this season in terms of centers.

From a CBJ perspective, over the past 4 seasons the highest ranking center we've had is Sergei Fedorov at 53rd -- yikes!!!

To say we have a glaring hole there is the understatements of understatements.

So the question is can Richards regain his top 5 form under Ken Hitchcock b/c he's getting paid as a top 5 center?

I'm sure that is a question Howson and his staff have explored and are exploring.

His best years have come playing with Fredrik Modin -- now put Rick Nash on the other side and now how do you thinks things look for him? He's also just 27 years old. Most players historically put up the best numbers in their careers from 27 - 31 which is typical referred to as their "prime" years.

I think it was Portzline (maybe it was Arace) who said they would trade all but the following to land him:

Nash, Leclaire, Zherdev, Voracek and Mason to land him.

I tend to agree with that but I'd throw in Boll and Russell as well to that list. I also don't see Modin or Chimera going anywhere in that deal.

At first I thought it would take Z but have since changed my mind on that one. Considering the way Z is playing and the salary we would take off Tampa's hands I think Z is to much of a price to pay in this case.

So besides pending UFAs of whom I doubt the Lighting would want as they are trimming payroll and by all accounts they want younger players in return here's what the Jackets have to offer:

Brule, Brassard, Legein, Lindstrom, Klesla, Fritsche, Tollefsen, Pineault, Picard, Methot, Lacosta, Popperle among others and of course draft picks.

I think the Jackets also may be able to pull even more assets when they sell off some impending UFAs.

I think Tampa would want near or NHL ready young cost friendy players. That puts Brule, Brassard, Klesla, Tollefsen and Klesla right at the top of that list.

So for me after looking at this from a big picture, I think Howson must absolutely make this deal if he can with what's available. He's got the assets and he's got the budget for him. Sure there is some risk and lets not kid ourselves, Richards is overpaid. To me we'd have to overpay anyhow in UFA for a guy not nearly as good or young. There is also far greater risk of staying a mediocre team without addressing the #1 center position in a big way.

Now is the time for bold moves. Now is the time for this organization to take the next step and add the "right" players. Richards is the "right" guy at this time. This isn't a stop gap -- this is a young 27 year old who is experienced winner. This is a guy who has put up consistant seasons. This is a guy signed for 3 more years.

The question now is if Tampa can find a better offer than what we make and/or *if* Richards would waive his no trade to come to Columbus OH and play for a team that probably won't make the playoffs this year but is certainly trending up.

Any thoughts out there -- should Howson go for it or wait?

-LTL