Well, I would take Parise over Richards, but Richards is no slouch.
In 2003 I thought Richards was a late 1st round pick and I thought the Flyers reached a bit, but boy was I wrong, I saw him once this year with the Rangers and then all of his WJC's games, Richards really devoloped this year, his defensive work is outstanding, but his offensive upside really is underated,
I love Richards agressive play, I saw him knock the net off it's pegs more then any junior i've seen. He crashes the net hard and he's very strong on the puck. He's got insanely quick hands, he makes plays just out of reaction, I mean he's a great playmaker, yet his quick hands also help his finishing skills, He's a great two way threat offensively. His skating is also right there with Parise. I can't see anyone saying Parise is faster then him, mabey by a hair, IDK I would have to look back at the Gold medal game. Richards is going to be one hell of a player.
Parise is no slouch of a skater, The more I look at the two the more I think they are at a dead heat when it comes to skating. Both seem to have explosive strides and first steps. Both are very fast, but QUICK seems to be the better way to describe them. Parise also has a fearlessness to his game that Richards has, Parise forechecks just as hard and both are complete players and all around great hockey players, and they both have great heads on there shoulders.
I think Parise has the ability to create more on his own, so i'll give him the nod. Although Richards is no slouch whats so ever. I have just seen Parise make plays all on his own that make my jaw drop.
I think both well be great two way players, feisty little guys, both have some of the best hands you can ask for, great wheels, Elite vision and playmaking skills with underated finishing abilities. I mean they're all you can ask for when it comes to prospects really, except the 6-3 210 body, witch is overated IMO when a player can play like this.
I also think Parise is getting less credit then he deserves...His defenisve game is great, he works extremely hard away from the puck, he's very very smart, and his efforts and awareness on defense should be commended.
I seen him twice live this year and three times over T.v. and then at the WJC's and I thought his defensive game was actually really impressive.