from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

So when Tortorella begins an answer to a question about Richards’ status as the club’s fourth-line center with the words, “Sometimes it’s not about Brad,” as he did yesterday on the first of two days between Game 1 of the conference semis and Game 2 against the Bruins here tomorrow, it’s kind of a whoa moment.

As much of a whoa moment as the whole of the 3-2 overtime series-opening defeat in which Richards got the least amount of even-strength ice time of any Ranger (9:59), including 26 seconds in the second period when he sat on the bench for a stretch of eight minutes.

Richards, who turned 33 a couple of weeks ago, isn’t some bit guy. He was supposed to be the missing link when he signed that nine-year, $60 million contract over the summer of 2011 under which he has already been paid $24 million — and would be owed another $24 million if the Rangers use their final amnesty buyout on him this summer.

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