I would go with Kesler. I really don't like Richards approach to the game and think he will continue to suffer in LA as a 2nd/3rd liner with PP2 duties, seeing a 50-60 point upside. Kesler will continue to grow as the number 1 option in Vancouver once he's back from these surgeries.

Yes it's 3 of them in 1 offseason but remember that Richards also had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder a couple years back and worse, had a concussion last season after which his production dropped like a rock.

In the last 5 seasons kesler has missed 7 games from injury, richards has missed 21.

In addition, for a cap league keslers 5 million far outshines Richards 8.4 unless your using caphit where kesler still wins out by 750k.

I suppose I'm trying to say that I don't see either of them with a distinct advantage derived from their injury history but I do see one derived from their situation and also their salary and this is why I would go with Kesler.