Canadiens Shouldn’t Bite: Why Claiming Anthony Richard Off Waivers Isn’t a Smart Trade Move
The Philadelphia Flyers have placed forward Anthony Richard on waivers, aiming to reassign him to their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. This move comes as the Flyers prepare to activate recently acquired forwards Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier.
Richard, 28, has appeared in 15 games for the Flyers this season, contributing two goals and four assists. He has also been productive in the AHL, recording eight goals and 11 assists in 18 games with the Phantoms.
Originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Richard has spent time with multiple organizations, including the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins. He signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Flyers in the offseason.
The Canadiens, who are expected to be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline, may consider claiming Richard off waivers to bolster their forward depth, especially if they trade players like Joel Armia, Jake Evans, or Christian Dvorak.
However, some analysts argue that the Canadiens should prioritize internal solutions and wait for potential trades before making such a move. They suggest that claiming Richard now could send a negative message to the team, which still harbors playoff aspirations.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen whether the Canadiens or another NHL team will claim Richard off waivers or if he will continue the season with the Phantoms.