Richards Trade Appears Imminent

From TSN:

Sources tell TSN the Tampa Bay Lightning have reached out to star forward Brad Richards and have alerted him to their interest in trading him.

It's believed the Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets are the most active in the hunt, although according to source, Richards isn't expected to be given the list until later Sunday night.

Vancouver, Columbus and Dallas have all submitted offers for the Conn Smythe trophy winner.

Tampa Bay's incoming owner Oren Koules is said to be heavily involved.

Richards' decision on whether to clear the way for trade is expected either Sunday night or Monday, at which point Lightning general manager Jay Feaster will take his offers to ownership for a final decision.

Richards, who signed a five-year, $39 million contract in 2006, has 18 goals and 50 points in 61 games this season.

In 551 career NHL games, the 27-year-old centre has 150 goals and is the Lightning's career assists leader with 338. He had a career-high 91 points in 2005-06. Richards, considered one of the premier playmakers in the NHL, will earn $7.8 million in each of the next three seasons.

During the first intermission of today's Sharks-Penguins game, Darren Dreger and John Ferguson Jr reported the following:
The Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars have reportedly made their offers to Tampa Bay for Brad Richards, while the Columbus Blue Jackets offer could be coming soon. Dreger suggested the Stars might offer goalie Mike Smith, and suggested the Jackets offer might include "Brule and Fritsche"

From SportsNet Canada:

Sportsnet.ca -- Brad Richards may be on the move.

Sources say the Tampa Bay forward, who has a no-trade clause, has given Lightning management permission to bring him offers as early as Sunday night.

It’s believed he does not want to be dealt to a team that isn’t in solid playoff contention.

Recent rumours have suggested a number of teams -- including Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton -- are interested in the services of Richards, who is in the midst of the five-year, $39 million contract he signed in 2006.

General manager Jay Feaster’s is in a tough spot as the mandate of the team’s new ownership could mean a salary cap in the US$39-to-40-million range.

If that is the case it would affect the futures of both Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis with the club.

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