Detroit Red Wings: Brad Richards Will Make a Big Difference

The Detroit Red Wings‘ signing of veteran center Brad Richards was most certainly a surprise to all. Obviously, general manager Ken Holland‘s primary target (and thankfully eventual acquisition) was defenseman Mike Green, and the team reportedly kicked tires on some scoring wingers, but the middle-six center didn’t seem to be on the radar.

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Ken Holland revealed the signing’s purpose to be an opportunity to play Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on the same line without sacrificing offensive depth. With this move, the Red Wings will likely run Richards, Riley Sheahan, and Luke Glendening as centers. Most likely, Darren Helm, once proclaimed as the best 3rd-line center in the NHL by ex-coach Mike Babcock, will be shifted to the wing in the bottom six.

Last season, Richards tallied 12 goals and 37 points in the middle-six with regular power play minutes. He also posted a career-high CorsiFor% of 54.7 (courtesy of hockey-reference.com). It would be reasonable to expect around 15 goals and 40 points for Richards this year, especially with Detroit’s already stellar power play adding Mike Green, and a hopefully rejuvenated offense under new head coach Jeff Blashill. His statistical effect is laudable, but the ensuing roster and depth implications of his signings will arguably be the biggest reward.

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Adding Richards brings legitimate center talent to, most importantly, develop the talent of young wingers like Tomas Jurco and Teemu Pulkkinen. In the Babcock era, neither player was given the opportunity to play in the top-six forward group. Pulkkinen often found himself plopped next to the corpse of Stephen Weiss and Jurco couldn’t break out of a five-minutes-a-night checking role on the fourth line.

Both players needed high-end talent to play alongside but their struggles negated any opportunity to wing for Datsyuk or Zetterberg, leaving Riley Sheahan as the only legitimate center available to play with. True dependable talent is necessary to bring consistency to a sometimes dull secondary scoring element of Detroit.

With Brad Richards on the depth chart, Pulkkinen and Jurco can at least get a crack at playing with Sheahan, who had a respectable amount of success with Tomas Tatar and Gustav Nyquist on 2013-14’s memorable ‘Kid Line’, and both should have ample opportunity to squeeze in next to Richards throughout the season.

The Red Wings will have the roster space as well as competence down the middle to get a taste of what these wingers have to offer. Not to mention the Blashill mentality will afford all players opportunity to play in roles that suit their skill sets.

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This also puts top prospect Dylan Larkin (C) in a prime position, as he may be ready to make the jump to the NHL, but would benefit from AHL seasoning. With Datsyuk missing the beginning of the season due to injury rehab, Larkin can find his legs in the big leagues out of training camp, and remain on a consistent call-up regiment throughout the season, racking up experience and honing skills in the AHL.

With Richards’ contract expiring at the end of this season, he may be traded at the deadline, opening a postseason slot for Larkin. If not, the ex-Wolverine will be poised for a full 82 games (barring injury) next season.

This low-cost, low-risk signing is another bright spot on Ken Holland’s resume. Brad Richards satisfies quiet yet strong needs for this Detroit Red Wings team.

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