Mike Richards learned about being traded to the Kings

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Mike Richards learned about being traded to the Kings the same way many fans did — on the Internet. His agent, Pat Morris, had told him there was a “nine out of 10 chance” he’d be sent from one coast to the other.

“I was very shocked,” Richards said about the whole process. “At first I was shocked and then excited – I’m excited to move out to L.A. and be a part of a team that has a ton of great players. I’m just looking forward to helping them out.”

“You want the guy who wears the jersey on his sleeve and the heart on his sleeve,” Lombardi said. “If we can get that here in L.A., that’s exactly what we need.”

In many ways, it’s what the Flyers are giving up in losing their captain and arguably the face of the franchise. Richards wore the “C” on his chest as the team reached the Stanley Cup Final, putting the indelible image in everyone’s minds of “The Shift” against the Canadiens last season in which he scored a short-handed goal on Jaroslav Halak.

On Dec. 13, 2007, Richards inked a 12-year, $69 million contract. It was intended to more or less brand him in orange and black. And while he was somber Thursday while reacting to the deal, Richards did have some sharp hindsight.

While much has been written about Richards and Carter not being media darlings – they’re not – general manager Paul Holmgren said they never complained about being in Philadelphia or dealing with any of that.

“Never. Never. Never. Never,” Holmgren said. “They’re both good kids; they made long-term commitments to stay in Philadelphia — probably at a lower [cap] number. We think the world of both those young men and we wish them well.”

Richards expressed subdued excitement at the idea of playing for the Kings, but it was evident in his voice that he was still coming to grips with no longer being a part of this Flyers team. When asked how he wanted to be remembered by Flyers fans — his legacy, if you will — Richards didn’t quite know how to answer.

“I’m just somebody who went out on the ice and just played their hardest,” he said. “I hope they all remember me as a captain who just laid it all out on the ice.”