The NHL Trade deadline is at 3 p.m. est today, and one of the biggest names that keeps popping up in the list of potential players being moved is the Stars' Brad Richards. According to Mark Stepnaski, the biggest reason that the Stars are considering trading Richards is his impending free agency.
The situation is complicated by several factors, including Richards having a no-trade clause, the fact that the Stars are right in the middle of a tight playoff race and a couple of question marks – in the short-term, there’s Richards’ health (he’s missed the last six games with concussion-like symptoms) and in the long-term, there’s the status of Dallas’ ownership situation. And there’s the question of just how much should a team give up to get Richards now when they could possibly land him on July 1?
Richards is an integral part of the Stars, but he has missed the last handful of games with those concussion symptoms. The Stars will need Richards if they want to continue their rush to the playoffs, but they might not be able to justify losing him for nothing at the end of the season when they have an opportunity to get something of value in return for him now.
We'll be updating this stream with all the relevant news about Richards, and any potential moves the Stars will make, throughout the day. Also, check out SB Nation for coverage with a more National angle.