Brad Richards; How to structure a Leafs contract

Leafs need to think beyond just making the playoffs

I'll soon be posting my goals for the 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs season, and to achieve them, the Leafs will need to bring in Brad Richards plus a high scoring forward, or an up an coming offensive centre and another two offensive threats. The Buds have to think about a Big Nine up front, and a Big Six in front of Reimer, if and when they want to be taken seriously as a Stanley Cup contender.

Although it is likely that Richards will sign with New York Rangers, there's no reason why Brian Burke and his Toronto Maple Leafs should not make an offer that makes sense to the Buds.

Leafs cannot afford a full no-trade clause in a Brad Richards contract

Part A - Intangibles

Brad Richards would become a clear offensive leader on a goal-starved Leafs team, however the significant age differential between Richards and the youthful core means that a pure no-trade deal wouldn't work for Toronto. One scenario would have a no-trade clause in the first year, an 8-team clause (8 teams he'd be willing to be traded to) for year two, and a 16-team clause for year three. Beyond that, no guarantees.

Part B - Financial

It's crucial that an extended Leafs contract not impact the Leafs negatively a few years down the line, so here are suggestions for contract offers to Richards, that could also make sense for the Maple Leafs.

One year deal - $9.5 mil


Two year deal - $17 mil

Year 1 - $9.5 mil, Year 2 - $7.5 mil



Three year deal - $22.5 mil

Year 1 - $9.5 mil, Year 2 - $7 mil, Year 3 - $6 mil


Four year deal - $28 mil

Year 1 - $9.5 mil, Year 2 - $7.5 mil, Year 3 - $6 mil, Year 4 - 5 mil


Five year deal - $35 mil

Year 1 - $10.5 mil, Year 2 - $9.5 mil, Year 3 - $6 mil, Year 4 - 5 mil, Year 5 - 4 mil

Considering that it's likely a three to five year deal will be required to ink Richards, it is worth reflecting on the fact that 22 to 35 mil would go a long ways towards the Leafs being able to sign other free agents and keep all or most of the most promising talent in the system.

I wouldn't be surprised if Burke only offered Richards a one to three year deal, with Brad picking the term. This way the full cap hit will be only $9.5 to 22.5 mil; a 3 year deal would create significant room in the 2014-2015 season, when Burke could then try and resign Richards (who will be 33 by then) if it was working out perfectly, or use the money to re-sign younger players if that was deemed wiser.

It may all be moot if Richards has no intention of considering Toronto, however the PEI connections of current and former leafs, plus the team's dominant fan base there, means that Toronto should be in the game, unless it gets prohibitively expensive and constrictive (eg severe no-trade clauses).