Flyers Roster Battle: Richard Makes Strong Case for NHL Spot

Veteran forward Anthony Richard is making his case for an NHL roster spot with the Philadelphia Flyers after another strong performance, this time as one of the very few standouts in a 4-1 preseason loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.

Richard, 27, joined the Flyers on a two-year contract on July 2, one day after NHL free agency opened, with the purpose of pushing some of the younger forwards for a roster spot. So far, the former fourth-round pick has done just that.

In the loss to Boston, Richard flashed his speed, as he has for much of this preseason campaign, and showed some versatility. The former Bruins forward has shown that he is capable of playing minutes at the top of the lineup in an offensive role as well as at the bottom of the lineup in a defensive role.

It’s also a plus that the 5-foot-10 speedster can play all three of the forward positions.

“Richie… good speed. We’re hoping he can bring some offense,” Flyers head coach John Tortorella remarked after Tuesday’s loss. “Not sure if he starts with us, but he’s a guy that we’re interested in. He’s had a good camp.”

Richard is, of course, battling with Flyers prospect Olle Lycksell for the right to be the 14th forward on the Flyers roster.

Fellow newcomers Rodrigo Abols and Oscar Eklind just have not flashed often enough during the preseason to force themselves into the conversation, and the adjustment from the SHL to the NHL is likely playing a factor in that.

As for Richard? Well, he’s only played in 24 NHL regular season games in his career across stints with the Bruins, Nashville Predators, and Montreal Canadiens, but he has the look of a player the coaching staff can trust.

So far, Richard has featured on the power play and the penalty kill, and in the loss to Boston on Tuesday night, Richard moved up to left wing on a line with Sean Couturier and Tyson Foerster.

Tortorella was careful not to tip his hand with one preseason game remaining and six days to go until opening night rosters are due, but Richard’s speed and play with and without the puck are going to force the Flyers to make a hard decision this week.