The Blackhawks thought they made a key move when they signed Brad Richards at the start of free agency last summer.
Richards, a former standout with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars and New York Rangers, was brought in to man the center position on the No. 2 line. There was little doubt that Richards was a skilled shooter and passer, but there were questions about his all-around play.
Richards, 34, had been demoted or benched by the Rangers during each of the past two playoff seasons for his shortcomings on the defensive end.
Still, general manager Stan Bowman brought him aboard and head coach Joel Quenneville welcomed him to the Blackhawks.
Richards was situated as the No. 2 center for the majority of training camp, but during the final days of the preseason, he was replaced at center by edgy Andrew Shaw.
Quenneville had seen Shaw play center for Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad at various points in the 2013-14 season, including for several games in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and he liked the combination. As the regular season loomed, he decided Shaw belonged b ...
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Article written by Steve Silverman