04/19/24
September 03, 2003
New York Rangers legend-to-be Mike Richter to retire. Too bad that his career kind of ended with a whimper due to injuries.
He was always classy, understated, and professional. Hopefully we'll see him doing some guest spots on TV from time to time. In other goalie news, The Bruins signed Felix Potvin today. That should make the Cujo situation even more interesting. The Wings had better start working on something quickly, or they'll lose whichever goalie they leave unprotected in the waiver draft (If anyone can afford the additional salary, that is).
posted by Samsonov14 at 03:23 PM on September 03, 2003
He was so good, I thought he was French Canadian. Sammy, hope you enjoy the new pet. He can be the best cat a team ever had one week, and drive you up the wall the next.
posted by garfield at 03:39 PM on September 03, 2003
Here's a new interesting spin on the Cujo-Dominator soap opera I'm surprised how candid the author is about letting the Wings sink with their deep pockets. But I have to say I agree somewhat, in an impartial, 'that's good competitive business' kind of way.
posted by garfield at 04:58 PM on September 03, 2003
Mike Richter is an all-time legend to me, Ranger fan that I am. He was certainly on top of his game as the Rangers won the cup in '94. (and I was there) Congrats on a great career, Mike!
posted by msacheson at 11:17 PM on September 03, 2003
I'm surprised more goalies aren't forced to retire due to concussions. I'll remember Mike Richter for suggesting (very early on, maybe early 2002) that the wild-west OBL wanted-posters posturing was inappropriate. Interesting three-way "trade," Cechmanek to L.A., Potvin to Boston, Hackett to Philly.
posted by Philfromhavelock at 11:25 PM on September 03, 2003
Phil - here's my call: Cechmanek will play well for the Kings, but he'll take the heat for the goals against stat. It won't be his fault - It's just his reputation. Norstrom is awesome defensively, but that's pretty much where the defense rests. I love Modry, but the guy can't play in his own end. No one else can play defense either. Roman will be blamed for his team's failings, AGAIN. They'll make the playoffs, but Chechmanek will choke in the first round. Five years from now, he'll be running a hockey camp in the Czech Republic. It's a shame, because he's a good keeper. Put him on a crappy team with no expectations and he'd be a hero. Potvin will leap out, guns blazing, and kick ass for the first 10 games he plays. Bruins fans will love him. 10 Games later, Boston hockey fans will be wondering why we just didn't let Andrew Raycroft take the reins this year. Or maybe Steve Sheilds needs another chance? Hell, let's give Tim Taylor another shot at it. In the end, it doesn't matter who's in goal for the Bruins. We haven't had a good goaltender since Andy Moog, and it doesn't look like things will change anytime soon. I hope I'm wrong. Hackett is going to tear it up. Philly's defense is one of the best in the NHL, and it will be the first time Hackett has played with a real team. Betcha dollars to donuts Hackett makes a real name for himself as long as he isn't injured.
posted by Samsonov14 at 01:21 AM on September 04, 2003
Has Richter done enough (and done it well enough) to deserve a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame? I'm guessing not because no one has even HINTED that he'd be a good choice on the ballot yet. However, I have to believe that he'd be a candidate to have his number retired by the New York Rangers at some point. In fact, I could see a point in the not-so-distant future where the Rangers are retiring 3 numbers in quick succession (Richter, Leetch, Messier). I was never a "fan" of Richter's, and he played net for the USA in the World Cup and Olympics, so he was often the "enemy" at times, but I do respect his ability to play net and come up big when necessary. I hope he is able to enjoy his retirement.
posted by grum@work at 07:29 AM on September 04, 2003
If anyone remembers Richter 'tending at the last World Cup when the USA beat Canada and he turned away something like 20 shots in the second period of a 1-0 game, then you saw one of the great clutch goaltending displays in modern hockey. That blew my mind. Never really liked him after that, though.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:37 AM on September 04, 2003
The guy could play. And more importantly, he was clutch. '94 was a dream. If it weren't for the superhuman Brian Leetch, Mike would have a Conn Smyth to go with his All Star game MVP, silver medal, World Championship and that Stanley Cup thing. Additionally, there isn't a more classy guy around. A tireless worker, a quality teammate and a guy who never complained, even when the defense was falling down around him here lately. He went out and did his job and he did it well. Then he cracked a joke or two. I can't wait until he's doing commentary. I'm not sure Richter merits Hall of Fame induction, but he is being talked about around these parts as the greatest Rangers goalie of all time, ahead of Ed Giacomin (who is in the Hall). No matter, I'll have as much fun watching his jersey rise to the rafters as I would watching him get into the Hall of Fame. Sammy, while everything you said may still be true, I'd wager dollars to donuts that Hackett gets run out of town for next year's predictable Philly play-off collapse.
posted by 86 at 12:06 PM on September 04, 2003
86, that's my favorite part of hockey season.
posted by Samsonov14 at 01:12 PM on September 04, 2003
Oh damn, mine too.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:14 PM on September 04, 2003
(here's a less-likely to go a' wandering link to the ESPN feed to the story. In my effort to avoid linking to the obvious source I realize now that newspaper websites don't always have the greatest or most accessible archives. so, the ESPN link is for, you know, someone accessing this thread next year some time for some reason and possibly being confronted with a dead NYdailynews link - of course the mods can swap the links and drop this comment if an ESPN FPP is desired)