Richardson had a rough 2019-20 season, which saw him post only 11 points in 59 contests. Only two of those points came shorthanded -- the 35-year-old is a penalty-killing specialist but typically sees fourth-line usage at even strength. Richardson had thumb surgery in the offseason before signing with the Predators. He's expected to be healthy to start the year, but it's unclear how much the veteran forward has left in the tank. He plays a physically taxing style, which usually leads to injuries throughout the year, so fantasy managers looking for the upside of shorthanded points should take caution if selecting Richardson as a depth option. Don't expect much more than 15 points out of him overall.
Richardson bounced back with 19 goals and 27 points in 66 games, one year removed from a 15-point campaign. The two-way center was propelled by a 14.8 shooting percentage, his best mark in a full season. Playing primarily in a fourth-line role limits Richardson's fantasy value, but he garners interest in formats where shorthanded points are counted -- he had six points while a man down last season, tied for fifth in the league. At 34 years old, the Ontario native shouldn't be expected to replicate his scoring from last year, but somewhere between 20-25 points would be a reasonable line for the veteran.
Richardson broke his leg ahead of last season and experienced a tumultuous 2017-18 campaign, delivering only three goals, 12 assists, and a career-worst minus-24 rating over 76 contests. Still, Coyotes GM John Chayka shored up the team's depth at the center position by signing Richardson -- who was an unrestricted free agent for two days -- to a fresh two-year, $2.5 million deal. The 33-year-old journeyman hasn't done enough in recent years to illicit much fantasy interest outside of deep leagues, but there's a fountain of youth in the desert and Richardson wears the leadership hat well, so take that for what it's worth
The biggest question concerning Richardson heading into the 2017-18 campaign is whether he can bounce back from the broken leg he suffered last November. The injury prevented the veteran from recording a fourth straight 20-plus point season, as he managed just five goals and four helpers in 16 contests. At 37 years of age, the Ontario native will likely be scrutinized to see if he has lost a step, but at least it appears that he’s on track for Opening Night. Even if he does experience renewed vigor, Richardson is a mid-range fantasy option at best -- and will likely only get picked up in deeper formats.
Richardson recorded 21 points while playing primarily on the third line for the Canucks last year. After signing on for three years with Arizona this offseason, Richardson will be in a similar role, but could see his plus/minus take a hit as he moves to one of the league's weaker rosters. While he should have no problem getting ice time in the desert, the 30-year-old has little history of offensive production, and the limited talent surrounding him in Arizona's bottom-six ranks won't lead to a big jump this year. He should be one of the top checkers for the 'Yotes, and with the team's young forward prospects coming through the pipeline quickly, Richardson may be relegated to that role regardless of any offensive success he may have.
Richardson did many things right in his first season with the Canucks, recording 11 goals and 23 points in 73 games. Not known as a major point producer, he was still able to provide value to those of you in deeper formats. The 27-year-old center proved his worth with two-game winning goals and two shorthanded tallies, while also leading the Canucks in face-offs with a 55.2 percent efficiency rate. Richardson saw a career-high 14:54 of ice in his first season with the Canucks and became a fixture on the team’s penalty kill. While he won’t wow you with point production, Richardson is still able to deliver 10 goals and 20 points every season. Expect him to center Vancouver’s third or fourth line in 2014-2015.
The Canucks signed Richardson to a two-year deal this offseason. The 28-year-old forward spent the 2012-13 with the Kings, finishing with six points in 16 games. He’s a decent depth option for an NHL squad looking to fill out their bottom six, but Richardson’s 105 points in 391 career NHL games shows his limited fantasy potential.
Richardson's ability to move up and down lines helps keep him in the lineup, but he has just 23 goals in four years with the Kings after tallying 24 with the Avs in 2006-07. He'll face a fierce competition for a spot among the bottom-six forwards in training camp and could end up in the AHL.
Richardson's versatility to move up and down the lineup in a variety of roles is more valuable to the Kings than your fantasy squad. The Kings brought him back to provide a little scoring punch from the bottom end of their lineup but he'll be lucky to hit double-digits in the goal department.
Richardson tallied 27 points (11 G, 16 A) in 81 games for the Kings last season. In a similar role this year, he'll remain a depth player for the Kings, giving the team a nice two-way presence for the third or fourth line.
He'll spend most of his time either logging fourth-line minutes or watching from the pressbox and won't get enough ice time to make a fantasy impact.
Richardson should see third or fourth line minutes for the Kings after coming over from Colorado in an offseason trade. He might chip in a dozen goals given the Kings' depth at forward but will also need to play well enough to carve himself out a regular role as some of the other kids push for ice time.
Richardson does a little bit of everything and will stick as a fourth-liner for Colorado.
Recalled by Colorado in Jan. of 2007. Last season, he was called-up from the AHL in January as an injury replacement. In 41 games, Richardson tallied 13 points (three goals, 10 assists). If he makes the team this season, he will probably be a fourth-liner and not a fantasy factor except in the deepest leagues.
