In a move unanticipated by most, Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards has been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins for second and fourth round draft picks. Richards had been the subject or recent controversy as his status as captain as of the Flyers was questioned by many following Philadelphia's disappointing exit form the 2011 NHL playoffs in the form of a sweep at the hands of the Boston Bruins. The move is suspected to be in large part to free up cap room for the Flyers to sign free agent llya Bryzgalov. Philadelphia traded for the right to negotiate with Bryzgalov exclusively this past week.
"I feel it resolves a lot of problems. If I am not appreciated here I can play somewhere will they will appreciate me despite our history with eachother" is what Richards had to say about the move. Flyers GM Paul Holmgren had this to say about the move "Richie knows it is not personal. Everyone in the league knows that we need to get a top tier goalie and Bryzzie offers us that. We will have that soon and I wish Richie all the best moving forward in Pittsburgh".