What about Richard?
Published: April 6, 2007
I miss Mr. Matvichuk. Seriously.
I know, I know, I really talked Andy Greene up during the whole David Hale debacle, but he’s kinda really sucked lately. It’s all about development, sure, and I’m sure Greeney will be a fine Devil come next season, but, uh, what about Richard?
Sunday marks Richie’s last chance to don black and red in the regular season that is ‘06-’07, and I’m kind of really hoping he’ll finally shake what many fans have (somewhat) endearingly deemed as his “salary cap injury.” Oh, I know they jest.
While hopeful for an appearance during Sunday’s Continental Airlines Arena Farewell (again, so sad), reports indicate that Mr. Matvichuk does not need to suit up during a regular season game in order to appear in the playoffs this season. Yes, there has been quite a bit of controversy lately as others are saying Richie Rich does need to play at least one game in order for post-season glory, but as usual, the ball’s in Lou’s court, and it’s a good thing at that — seems like he’s one of the only people out there who can actually make sense of the CBA’s silly rules.
What can be said through all of this, though, is that at the end of the day…I still miss Richard Matvichuk.
8 Comments on "What about Richard?"
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mrsheeps on Fri, 6th Apr 2007 8:49 pm
Play him. Why not? Nothing to lose in the last game. Unfortunately, won’t have a great test as to see how he’ll perform post-injury, but I think he’s going to see a decent amount of ice time in the playoffs. Bottom line is he has a lot more experience than a few of our blueliners, and that alone is enough to earn him a spot.
John Fischer on Fri, 6th Apr 2007 10:26 pm
I have to disagree about playing him in the playoffs. We’re talking about a veteran defenseman who hasn’t played all season – playing against the Islanders on Sunday won’t get him back into playing form right away. Last I checked, Matvichuk was terrible in the first half of the season after the lockout – a season away from the game. Expecting him to come back after an injury and not playing for a season and actually contribute in the playoffs, in my view, is just expecting too much.
Greene will be fine, at least he’s been playing and is familiar with his defensive partners.
Patricia Greuter on Fri, 6th Apr 2007 11:20 pm
You know what John, I just really love Richard, that’s pretty much all it is, heh. He was one of my favorite players before the Devils got him, and I absolutely loved it when we picked him up. I was disappointed to see him start so slow, but I knew he’d turn it around with time and some adjusting. I don’t think he’d have nearly as hard of a time as he did after coming off of a lockout season and a drastically changed game, but it’s definitely a high risk move putting him in the playoffs. Thing is, playoffs are a high risk time all on their own. The Devils D still has holes, I’m really not all that comfortable with Johnny Oduya yet and Greene *does* need more time to develop — he’s certainly adequate but he can be better with time.
Aaron on Sat, 7th Apr 2007 8:02 am
So how is it again that Matvichuk is eligible to come off the LTI? I thought the whole reason he was on it until now was because of the cap room issue. Who was put on LTI or in Lowell to make room for him at the last second? Has anything changed since the last 4 or 5 games roster-wise?
I don’t really see how replacing Matvichuk with Greene and playing him the same 5 minutes to start is gonna hurt the Devils. Maybe it’ll be better. But then again, Lou prides himself on the team dynamic and bringing someone in just for the playoffs could be problematic for the defense, who may be shuffled to fit him in.
beej on Sat, 7th Apr 2007 12:45 pm
i heard that they did have cap room to put him in, but they were just waiting for something (i forgot what). and i don’t see why it would cause too much of a problem with the defense parings, since he’s been practicing since december. it’s not like he just started practicing a week ago or something. they should have had enough time to adjust to him playing.
Shari on Sat, 7th Apr 2007 6:22 pm
I think that they were waiting for the doctors to clear Him to play, and they haden’t yet, they were waiting for test results or something along those lines.
Aaron on Sat, 7th Apr 2007 10:29 pm
I agree that it’s likely that he needed to be cleared medically speaking, but there was a huge gripe from the rest of the league because it seemed Lou was using his status on LTI as a means of staying under the cap. This was after the Mogilny and Malakhov salary dumps and as far as I can tell, the Devs were still on the tip of the cap (since they’ve played 5 games at least a man short). Gionta’s no longer on LTI so Clarkson, Pelley, and Pihlman had to be sent down to clear room. Janssen, Gomez, and Gionta are all eligible to play so that doesn’t make sense. The question on my mind is where did this salary cap space come from and if it was there all along, why has Matvichuk (who’s been practicing since December) not made it into the lineup or at least received attention about returning to the lineup until the last game of the season?
Shari on Sun, 8th Apr 2007 9:37 am
The cap space was not there thats why they have been playing with a shortened bench, if Rich M comes back now he salary will be pennies because the season is practicallt over now, and the cap does not count in the playoffs, and if He is cleared he’s good to go. I heard that Clemmer will be in goal today and the Leafs are pissed because if the Islanders win the will knock the Leafs out of the playoffs and they think that Lou is playing Him and not Marty on purpose just to ruin their lives because Lou and the GM there have issues and don’t get along.Because as You well know everything in life is about the Leafs. (in their minds)