| The playoffs are where dollars are earned, careers | | | | the Canadiens' goal to Jeff Carter for a 3-1 advantage |
| are altered, and legends are born. He's only 25, but | | | | in the second period provided a nice window into the |
| Mike Richards' 2010 postseason performance has sent | | | | future. It was a spectacular play by Richards on many |
| him down a career-altering path - one that may even | | | | levels - positioning, awareness, puck control, passing - it |
| make him a legend. | | | | was all there. This is what I love about him. His ceiling is |
| Let's not kid ourselves. Richards doesn't have the | | | | extremely high. We could easily have the next Steve |
| explosiveness of Alexander Ovechkin or the offensive | | | | Yzerman/Joe Sakic -esque player on our hands. Yes, |
| brilliance of Sydney Crosby. At 5'11 and 195 lbs., he's | | | | both are NHL legends, but Richards has the potential |
| not an overwhelming physical presence either. | | | | and especially the heart to reach that level. We didn't |
| Richards' greatest attributes are his grit and the | | | | know this two months ago. If he can sustain his will |
| balance of his game - he can score, he can facilitate, | | | | and effort, the next decade of Philadelphia hockey |
| and he's as good a defensive center as there is in the | | | | should be fun. Even if he doesn't reach the level of |
| NHL. While he'll never lead the league in goals or points, | | | | Yzerman and Sakic, he's already a Michael Peca type |
| he will make your offense, defense, and ultimately, | | | | player. Peca was a gritty captain for the Buffalo |
| your team, better. | | | | Sabres in the late '90's. He guided Buffalo to a Stanley |
| If you were to read the previous paragraph in | | | | Cup appearance and was the league's best defensive |
| February or March, you would've either laughed or | | | | center and penalty killer (sound familiar?) as well as an |
| assumed I was on drugs. The Flyers were reeling at | | | | amazing leader. So either way, Richards is heading |
| the time, and Richards was finishing up his worst full | | | | down a nice path. But I digress. |
| season as a Flyer. His assists were down, his plus | | | | The second moment was the empty net goal to clinch |
| minus was negative, and his leadership was in question. | | | | the series. I know right? An empty net goal? Really? |
| The questions were well deserved too. | | | | Really. I remember watching the puck bounce to the |
| Since becoming captain, Richards' Flyers have | | | | boards as I thought to myself, "Do it, Mike. Go for it." |
| underachieved. In 2009 they were bounced in the first | | | | (Because you know, we're on a first name basis.) |
| round of the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This | | | | Richards went for the puck and completely outworked |
| season, the Flyers were a roller coaster; hot at times | | | | Roman Hamrlik for a good 10 seconds before |
| and brutally awful at others, especially late in the | | | | somehow getting the puck over to Carter who flushed |
| season. Injuries were a major reason for their | | | | it home. It was one of those moments where one |
| inconsistent play, but weathering the long NHL season | | | | player simply wanted it more. Richards shoved, |
| is a key role of being a captain. The Flyers looked | | | | clawed, and scrapped his way to the puck and |
| dogged and Richards' reign as Flyers captain was in | | | | wouldn't stop until he got his result. It was only an |
| serious jeopardy. That was then. | | | | empty net goal, but thanks to Richards' efforts and the |
| This is now. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, | | | | prize of going to the finals, 20,000+ fans cheered |
| the playoffs have been Mike Richards' coming out | | | | euphorically as if the goal had just delivered the |
| party. Not as a hockey player though, as a captain. | | | | Stanley Cup itself. Captains must first lead on the ice |
| We've all known how talented a hockey player he is. | | | | to have a voice in the locker room. Out-willing the |
| The Flyers organization knew as much when they | | | | Canadiens on that play was a clear example of |
| signed him to a 12 year contract two years ago. | | | | Richards' desire to win. It was more than just an |
| However, it wasn't until the past few weeks that | | | | empty net goal. It was a statement. Don't think his |
| we've finally gotten to see what Mike Richards looks | | | | teammates didn't take notice. |
| like as a captain...and the view is encouraging. | | | | And finally, the trophy presentation. A subtle yet |
| Night in and night out of the 2010 playoffs he's been | | | | obvious demonstration of how far Richards has come |
| the Flyers most consistent player. He rallied the team | | | | as a captain. In the NHL, any touching/grabbing |
| from 0-3 to defeat Boston and was the most | | | | celebrating of the conference championship hardware |
| outstanding player in the Eastern Conference Finals | | | | is taboo. The captains of winning teams normally smile |
| (no official award, just my opinion). When the Flyers | | | | for a nice picture and skate away. It's their way of |
| clinched the series in Game 5, there were three | | | | saying, "this isn't what we've come for." Last year, |
| signature moments that epitomized just how far | | | | Sydney Crosby broke tradition and touched the Prince |
| Philadelphia's young captain had come. | | | | of Whales Trophy that is given to the Eastern |
| The first was the shorthanded goal to combat the | | | | Conference Champion each year. On Monday night, |
| Canadiens onslaught early in the first period. Richards | | | | Richards boldly and without hesitation, grabbed the |
| dashed to the puck from his own blue line in an effort | | | | trophy, smiled for a photo, and hoisted the trophy |
| to beat Montreal goalie, Jaroslav Havlak. Richards | | | | above his head. It was a clear display of Richards' |
| dove to play the puck, collided with Havlak, and then | | | | confidence. I know the tradition, but I know we decide |
| jumped to his feet to put the puck in the net. Two | | | | who brings home the Cup, not superstitions. This |
| things: First, as previously mentioned, the Flyers were | | | | doesn't matter. Can I prove this is what was going |
| shorthanded. Many players would have accepted the | | | | through his head? Absolutely not. However, watch the |
| clear and either ended their shift or sat back for the | | | | clip of the presentation again. Richards has a smirk on |
| next attack. Richards saw an opportunity and went for | | | | his face the whole time. That confident glow is special. |
| it. There's a reason he's regarded as the best penalty | | | | Six months ago Richards was feuding with the local |
| killer in the league. Second, it was a huge, huge goal. | | | | media about his leadership capabilities. Now he's |
| The Canadiens were flying at that point. They were | | | | leading the Flyers into the Stanley Cup Finals. After |
| already up 1-0 and threatening on the power play. | | | | Richards raised the Whales Trophy over his head, the |
| Richards' hustle and subsequent goal deflated | | | | Flyers' captain promptly skated off the ice toward the |
| Montreal. In fact, they didn't find any kind of rhythm | | | | Philadelphia locker room. His teammates followed, |
| again until late in the 3rd period. Richards' gritty goal | | | | hoping their captain will bring them another piece of |
| swung the momentum in dramatic fashion. | | | | hardware, one where their names will be inscribed for |
| Before continuing, let's take a look at where Richards' | | | | eternity. |
| career could be heading. His crisp pass from behind | | | | |