Leafs Acquire Luke Richardson

[Thrillhouse]

John Ferguson, vice-president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Wednesday that the club has obtained defenceman Luke Richardson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for either Toronto’s fifth-round pick in 2006 or a fourth-round pick in 2007.

Richardson, 36, is a veteran of 1291 career NHL games with the Leafs, Oilers, Flyers and Blue Jackets. He was Toronto’s first choice, 7th overall, in the 1987 Entry Draft and appeared in 278 games in a Maple Leaf uniform from 1987 to 1991.

The Ottawa, Ontario native was traded to Edmonton by the Leafs with Vincent Damphousse, Peter Ing, and Scott Thornton in exchange for Grant Fuhr, Glenn Anderson and Craig Berube on September 19, 1991. He joined the Flyers as a free agent on July 23, 1997 and later as a free agent with Columbus on July 4, 2002.

Richardson has played the full 82-game schedule on five occasions in his career.

In 44 games with the Blue Jackets this season he has recorded one goal and six assists with 30 minutes in penalties.

[BGDDYKWL]

Certainly not a blockbuster move by any means, but it fills a void. Essentially a poor man's Witt. The Leafs D has been decimated this year, so this has to help.

[Ciccarelli]

Can he help the Leafs to make the playoffs? I doubt it, but haven't seen Richardson play for a while, so maybe I'm wrong.

[Jocke]

Wow. Last time Luke played in Toronto was 1990-1991. A long, long time ago.

His Toronto stats:

Reg.
GP 278
G 11
A 36
P 47
+/-, -69 (ouch)
PIMs 556


Playoffs.
GP 7
G 0
A 0
P 0
+/-, -5
PIMs 22

Fights +/- 30

[Thrillhouse]

This is probably a pretty good pick up for a 5th round pick. Our defense sucks. If anything, it'll hopefully bump Khavanov down.

I would be really happy if he waived that tool so it doesn't take a roster spot away from one of the kids.

[BM24]

Good quote on him being a poor mans Witt. Anyways, atleast this means the Leafs aren't packing it in.

Afterall, who would you rather have as your number 6 defenceman...Kronwall or Richardon? atleast Richardson will go down fighting and play with pride.

[brawls16]

Back in blue!

Long time no see Luke. I won't mind seeing Richardson on the ice in favour of our hand full of 7,8,9 and 10th defencmen we've used thus far.

Heck, lets a fight for old times sake!

[rock'emsock'em]

Vast improvement over Khavanov should he take his spot.

[Cat Smasher]

It adds a "rock" if you will, a dependable defenseman. Plus he can really help with the young kids we got on D and in the system that float between the leafs and marlies.

Too bad he didn't replace Berg. Clear the trackie here comes Aki? lol please.

[Jocke]

"Poor man's Witt" now maybe.
But when he started out, he was a great bodychecker/fighter, up there with Scott Stevens in my opinion. He was very tough back then and still is.
Had some great fights in Philadelphia.

[Tucker_316]

I recall Tucker kicking his ass.

[Captain Crunch28]

I seen this trade coming. I heard that the Jackets was wanting to get rid of him, and now they did.. It must be tough for his family and kids.

[Liquor Pig]

If this means The Leafs are going to be buyers at the deadline,then it's a joke.
Does anyone think the Leafs should be aquiring vetern talent based on their chances post season,should they miraculously make it?
If it means Berg or Hadenough gets booted,well fine.But more likely it just means one of the good young D prospects loses a chance to move up from The Marlies.
I'm really pissed off that The Leafs appear to be going this route...a big opportunity to get young and rid of prior mistakes will be lost.

[AVALANCHE FAN]

That was stupid their already short on Defence and they trade a Vet Defenceman for a draft pick,someone should lose their job for that!

[NJDevils17]

he's not really lifesaver for the leafs, but he adds depth and experience to the leafs which is always good for a team.