I'll go with Mike Richards.
Prior to last year's tough year... Richards had put up seasons of 75/80/66/62.
That's an average of 71pts.

I don't think he's a 70pt player in LA... but still about 62-65pts.


Like Richards, let's throw out Kesler's last poor/injury season.
He had two straight years at 75/73... average of 74pts.

With all his injuries... how much does he play?
I mean, there are a lot of injuries.
The most concerning, IMO, is that shoulder.
We've seen the toll that a shoulder injury has taken on Heatley's production.
And I've played with guys with shoulder problems... they are nagging/lingering injuries.


I think Mike Richards is a great buy-low player for this year.
He's less in the spotlight as C2 in LA... but he's got his buddy Jeff Carter back to play with... some chemistry he missed for his first 2/3rds of a season in LA.

Also, Richards can play point on the PP.
And LA opened up more opportunities for him there when they shipped Jack Johnson out.

If I KNEW Kesler was going to be healthy for the remainder of his career... I'd take him.
But I prefer the healthier Mike Richards, whose points are mainly generated from hockey sense.

Salary is of some concern... but not a lot, IMO.
Richards is signed for 7 more years (not including this one) at $5.75m. That's going to be a nice tag going forward.
Kesler is signed for 3 more years (not including this one) at $5.00m.

IF Kesler does well... then he'll be paid for it - and that salary will probably be higher long-term.
IF Kesler doesn't do well... then... well, you should've gone Richards.


Mike Richards, for me.