We get it, you don't like the guy. But let's look at your facts from the other side shall we?
Yes, goals production downright brutal, but why slap out the points as well? You mention two assists in 12 games, but ignore the 27 points in 33 games before that. If he had maintained that pace all season, he'd have finished with 67 points. Pretty good for a 2nd line centre. Lately he's been off offenseively, but 2/3rds of the year he's been actually quite productive.
Last game Sutter played Richards for 18 seconds on the PK. And? He's averaged 1:47 a game on the PK the entire seasson. He must be doing something right since that's 4th amongst all Kings forwards and the Kings PK is top 10 in the league.
So PIM's = physicality? A low PIM total doesn't mean a lack of physical play. Robyn Regehr has just seven more penalty minutes all season than Richards, and he plays more minutes a game. Is Regehr not physical now either? You can play your game without taking PIM's.
I'm not going to say he's been terrific, but he's better than you imply. Not that that's shocking though, you always rag on this guy.
First off, I don't hate the guy, not a huge fan but hate is a strong word reserved for the likes of Ryan Smyth. I do think he is without question the most overrated player the Kings have had since I have been a fan, have said that numerous times. I just like the counter balance the people who think he walked on water into the lockerroom and made the Kings a champion. The treatment of him vs. Kopitar by Kings fans is comical. Kopi has never played anywhere close to this awful in his career and is always called out for much much less.
As for the rest.
I hated using the PIM's stat, I truly did, but he has not been physical this season, nowhere near where he was in the prime years of his career, I don't see how anyone who watches Kings games could think otherwise, and while I hated using that stat it does reflect the change in his game. Do you really see the same physical player of his younger years.
Offense, well 12 games is a quarter of the season, so when a guy no-shows for a quarter of a season it's a factor. Still wondering though, on the rest of the season. Is the guy is a product of Carter? It's pretty clear at this point, to me atleast, that he is. He can put up assists when passing to Carter and doesn't do much offensively away from Carter. Like K17 said, no excuse that Richards playing 3rd line can't produce points with Tyler Toffoli against second and third options defensively. When you pay someone close to $8 in actual dollars and close to $6 in cap, they shouldn't need Jeff Carter training wheels to ride the bike.
On the defense, well you acknowledged the PK part, which I will just say that his numbers will go down with Kopitar and Stoll playing better on the PK. But what about the other part, if a guy is such a well rounded player who does things that don't show up on the stat sheet how is he on the ice for so many goals against (no matter who his linemates are)? How does he make so many questionable defensive plays/reads? How come Jeff Carter's goals-against go down so drastically when he is away from Richards. (whether he is with Kopi or centering his own line). What grade would you give Mike Richards as a defensive player?
