At least one of them will have been bought out or dealt before that point.
The latter showed effort for about 30 seconds of the game.
I really wish I could see light at the end of the tunnel for either one of these guys, but I just don't see it, especially for Richards. It would be one thing if he were playing well and the puck luck wasn't going his way, but this is a garbage hockey player this season, he isn't scoring, he isn't physical, he is terrible defensively and his effort is totally lacking. I hate to say it, got a Cup, got a Gold Medal, got a big contract that takes him into his mid 30's, maybe there isn't any more motivation, but all I know is this guy is a shell of his prime years in Philadelphia. Dean has to take a long look at this going forward, this could be a Gomez/Redden situation, it has happened plenty of times to players before.
As for Brown, he is stuck here, his contract can't be bought out and he has 8 more years at that hit.
Either way, people love these long term shorter cap hit deals, but they personally scare me because if a guy does fall off the cliff you are in a very tough spot.