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Blackhawks' Brad Richards open to Lightning return someday

 
Brad Richards, who spent seven seasons with the Lightning, is in his first season with the Blackhawks.
Brad Richards, who spent seven seasons with the Lightning, is in his first season with the Blackhawks.
Published Nov. 12, 2014

CHICAGO — C Brad Richards said while his days with the Lightning seem like so long ago, it's the team he played the most hockey for in his career.

And Richards, 34, would love to return to Tampa Bay at some point before he's done, if and when the time is right.

Richards, the Conn Smythe Trophy winner after the Lightning's 2004 Stanley Cup run, shared interest with Tampa Bay this summer after getting bought out by the Rangers, but it wasn't a fit, and he signed a one-year deal with the Blackhawks.

"It's always a consideration," Richards said. "Everything has to be a fit, and they have a pretty good team with good pieces. Even if someone wants it, does it make sense? For their team, they have something established. Maybe someday down the road."

The Lightning is set at center the next few years with Steven Stamkos, Tyler Johnson, Valtteri Filppula, Vladislav Namestnikov and Brian Boyle, who is on a three-year deal.

Richards, who played for Tampa Bay for seven seasons (2000-04 and 2005-08), was happy to land with an Original Six team, which gives him another chance at a Cup. The past few months have been a whirlwind, from finding a new team and home to welcoming his first child, Luca, five weeks ago.

"You go from a team you're pretty ingrained in and go to Stanley Cup final with, to a new team, new baby, all in two and a half months," he said. "You put it into perspective, it's probably what would happen to anybody, it's kind of a little bit of a mess. But now it's starting to settle in."

Richards, who entered Tuesday with two goals and six assists in 15 games, said he feels like he's been playing better recently. He'll soon reach another career milestone, as he's three games away from 1,000 in his career.

"I remember seeing a couple guys early in my career (get 1,000 games), thinking how old they were," Richards joked. "But it's great. It's pretty special, my son, my wife, parents here. When I started my career, I didn't expect to have any of that. Now I'll be able to enjoy it with the family. Hopefully, I still think there's lots of good hockey left, so hopefully many more. But this will be a good milestone to reflect and cherish."

Not yet: C Alex Killorn hoped to play on this three-game road trip, but missed his fourth straight game with an upper-body injury. He has been skating with the team in practices, but is not ready. Coach Jon Cooper said he hopes he'll return Thursday.

No worries: Cooper said the numbers looked bad, as the team entered Tuesday allowing five power-play goals the previous two games.

But Cooper wasn't alarmed, pointing out that the types of goals the team was giving up weren't of "normal variety," and that the team had been "pretty darn good" in the first 12 games (six power-play goals allowed).

"But we have to plug that hole," Cooper said. "We can't go into games and give up 3-4 power plays and two of them are going in the net. That's not good enough. We have to be better."

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Ice chips: G Ben Bishop started for the 12th time in 16 games this season. … The lines were the same as Sunday. RW Ryan Callahan and D Matt Carle were alternate captains. … D Mark Barberio was scratched.

Contact Joe Smith at joesmith@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_JSmith.