The New York Post's Larry Brooks spends a fair portion of his Saturday notebook discussing the purported plan for a single-team arena to be used by the New York Islanders, but he finishes with this:

Brad Richards, who announced his retirement this week, leaves a legacy as one of the most well-liked, admired and respected players of his time among his peers.

The 36-year-old’s stay with the Rangers did not quite work out as conceived by either party, but there is no question Richards’ presence elevated the club’s professionalism and credibility throughout his three years on Broadway.

And he would have been back for more if not for the punitive cap-recapture amendment to the CBA out of the 2012-13 lockout that was aimed squarely at No. 19 and the Rangers.

There was a Cup early with Tampa Bay (with the Conn Smythe in 2004) then another late with Chicago. That no-look pass in the 2015 clincher for the Blackhawks was a jaw-dropping work of art few could have conceived, let alone executed. It is his single-frame highlight moment.

Richards had a great career for which he was quite handsomely compensated. The league is poorer without him.

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