Richards to NY; Kings Land Gagne

Hours after center Brad Richards signed a 9-year deal with the Rangers, spurning the Kings and two other teams, the Kings turned around and inked LW Simon Gagne to a two-year deal worth $7MM, reuniting him with recently acquired Mike Richards.

Gagne, a 40-point scorer last season in Tampa and in 2009-10 with Philly, will get $4.5MM from the Kings next season, and $2.5MM in 2012-13. He tallied 74-points for the Flyers in 2008-09. Gagne will like play on the second line with Richards in the middle and Justin Williams on the right. First line should be Anze Kopitar in the middle with Dustin Brown and Dustin Penner on the wings.

This is a solid deal for the Kings as they get a veteran scorer and add some depth. If Gagne stays healthy, he should do well lining up with Richards.

Ok, So I Was Wrong

The Kings apparently are making a very big push for Brad Richards. They sent a big contingent of top executives to Toronto to meet with Richards and his agent. AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke, team president and GM Dean Lombardi, head coach Terry Murray and the entire coaching staff all made the trip to make their presentation to Richards and his agent. Richards is fielding offers from a handful of other teams including Toronto and the New York Rangers, so no decision is expected to be made any sooner than tonight or tomorrow.

I'm under the assumption that if the Kings are able to sign Richards, a trade would almost certainly have to follow to move a center, most likely Jarret Stoll.

The Kings are also working feverishly hard to get restricted free agent Drew Doughty signed, as well. Doughty, the centerpiece of the youth movement and the defensive core, could become the team's highest paid player if all goes accordingly.

More to come... Stay tuned...