• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

MayorsManor.com

NHL blog, LA Kings hockey news and interviews from The Mayor

  • Radio Replay
  • Prospect Rankings
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / NHL / Avalanche / LA Kings forward Brad Richardson – the human avalanche

LA Kings forward Brad Richardson – the human avalanche

September 28, 2011 By John Hoven

LA Kings Brad Richardson (photo: C. Ikiri)

The old ‘put me in coach’ saying could possibly be modified for Brad Richardson. ‘Plug me in’ coach may be more appropriate for the versatile forward.

Last season he played just about every position among the Kings four offensive lines, including a few stints on the top line with center Anze Kopitar.

Given his choice, Richardson says he’d rather be in the middle.

“I like center – that’s my natural position. But, it’s pretty tough on this team to be a center – unless someone’s injured, like last year,” said the Kings utility man. “I’m comfortable on the right side, left side — the wing positions don’t matter to me, it’s just a side. Any forward position is fine with me.”

When he plays in Colorado though, like the Kings are tonight – he simply looks for quality minutes.

Hockey players have long been known for performing well against their former teams and Richardson is no exception. Originally selected by the Avs in the fifth round of the 2003 NHL Draft, he was traded to the Kings in 2008 for a second round pick. Since changing jerseys, he’s scored five goals in nine games against the Avs. In 171 other games for the Kings, played outside of Colorado, he’s scored 13 goals (a conversion rate of 8%).

Further, in 244 total games played outside of Denver, Richardson has 27 NHL goals (a conversion rate of 11%). Conversely, in his 72 games at the Pepsi Center, he’s found the back of the net 10 times (14%).

In two pre-season games this month, he’s been on the move again.

For the first game, he was supposed to be on the left side of the second line in Phoenix. However, when Simon Gagne was out ill, coach Terry Murray moved Richardson to the top line for the split-squad game in LA the same night.

Sunday night versus the Ducks, he started out on the fourth line. Yet, due to the ineffective play of Scott Parse as the third-line right wing, Richardson spent some time as his replacement during the second half of the game.

Although he sat out last night’s game in Kansas City, he returns to the line-up tonight – OF COURSE – as the Kings will play the Avalanche in Denver. He’s also back on the left side again, this time skating with Lewis and Trent Hunter.

Is all of this moving around making it difficult to create some chemistry?

“Right now, it’s kind of tough because I’ve been playing with a lot of different guys,” explained Richardson. “But, it was nice to play with Stolly and Cliffy a bit (on Sunday night in LA vs. the Ducks). I had a few shifts with them and that was fun. It’s tough when you’re getting moved around though to find that quick chemistry. It’s always nice when you’re moved up and get to play a bit more though.”

With a pretty intense competition in camp this year for the final few roster spots – ones that Richardson is fighting for – was he a little bit relieved when two of the Kings top prospects (Tyler Toffoli and Brandon Kozun) were recently cut from camp?

“To be honest with you, it didn’t even cross my mind. It’s too bad though. You want everybody to do well. But, there’s only so many spots on the roster.”

So, is it that right wing spot on the third line he’s keeping an eye on?

“I’d like to play on that third line, no doubt about it. But. where ever he’s going to use me, I always try to the best I can in that role,” Richardson said, referring to any possible plans coach Murray may emplore.

And the 5-foot-11 forward just continues to plug away, without much regard for what may be around the corner.

“I’m just trying to work hard and get better every game. It’s tough, you get back here and there’s a couple of exhibition games – you’re trying to get your timing back and hit your spots again. It’s a long off-season, so that’s what you’re trying to do – get yourself ready for the way you want to play. In the first couple of games, I thought I did that. I got my legs going a little bit. There’s still some things I need to work on too.”

Scoring against the Avalanche usually isn’t one of them. He seems to have that one down pat.

Earlier in camp, Murray had shared some comments on the role Richardson may play for the team, in an interview here.  Below, there are also some additional links to recent and related articles.

Either way, leave a comment down below – it’s easy!

The Mayor
www.twitter.com/MayorNHL
www.facebook.com/MayorsManor

RELATED ARTICLES:

Coach Terry Murray – ‘Brandon Kozun needs to work on his game’

 LA Kings coach evaluates Tyler Toffoli’s training camp performance

Drew Doughty and Davis Drewiske – forever linked to Kansas City

Scott Parse thinks it’s all between his ears, Murray unsure

Jarret Stoll on Kyle Clifford – ‘Confidence can be a scary thing sometimes’

  

order here –> MayorsManor Store
View the store to see full line of shirts for men and women, dozen of styles and colors

Filed Under: Avalanche, comments, hockey, Interview, Kings, Los Angeles, Mayor, MayorsManor, Murray, NHL, preseason, statistic Tagged With: camp, Colorado, comments, Gagne, hockey, Kopitar, Lewis, Los Angeles, Mayor, MayorsManor, Murray, preseason, quote, Richardson, roster, statistic

About John Hoven

John Hoven is a former member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and co-hosts Kings of the Podcast. He's also the founder and editor of MayorsManor.com, which has been named Best Sports Blog in Los Angeles and Hockey Blog of the Year. Click "ABOUT OUR TEAM" below for a full bio.

Primary Sidebar

Kings Of The Podcast

Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 132 – Mark Yannetti, 2022 NHL Draft Review

There’s no introduction or fancy setup needed on this one… Our guest is Mark Yannetti. Listen to this episode for free using the audio player below or check us out on all the major podcast platforms, including: Spotify, iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, Tune In, Radio.com, and many more. Follow @mayorNHL Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping […]

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 133 – Jack Hughes; Vin Scully, True-False
  • Round 2: LA Kings Reverse Retro 2.0 Jersey Mock-Ups
  • Kings Opening Night Roster Coming Together; Updates on Durzi and Anderson Contracts
  • NHL RADIO REPLAY: Mayor’s Minutes – LA Kings Summer Report Card, Grading Rob Blake
  • Mike Donnelly on Standouts at LA Kings Dev Camp and Other Impressions
  • LA Kings 2022 Dev Camp Notebook: Day 3 Notes and Scrimmage Highlights
  • LA Kings 2022 Dev Camp Notebook: Day 2 Notes and Quotes
  • REPORT: LA Kings to Hire Jim Hiller as Assistant Coach
  • LA Kings 2022 Dev Camp Notebook: Day 1 Scrimmage, Quotes, and Observations
  • NHL Rookie Faceoff: Schedule Released for September Tournament; Three Kings Games

Tweets by mayorNHL

Footer

Archives

Tags

AHL Blackhawks Brown camp Carter Clifford coach comments Doughty draft Ducks history hockey interview Kings Kopitar lineup Lombardi Los Angeles Manchester Mayor MayorsManor Monarchs Murray NHL Ontario Penner Playoffs Prospect Quick quote Radio Reign Richards roster Sharks Stanley Cup Stoll Sutter Toffoli trade video WCB West Coast Bias Williams

MayorsManor

  • About Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Store

© 2022 MayorsManor.com