Nov. 28--LOS ANGELES -- It happens every time the Blackhawks' dressing room opens to the media. Whether at the United Center or on the road, as soon as reporters and camera crews are granted access they invariably make beelines toward Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.
Sometimes Duncan Keith, Marian Hossa or Patrick Sharp are the targets and daily beat writers often branch out to interview others on the team, but the faces of the franchise attract the most attention. Meanwhile, Brad Richards usually slips out without having to say a word.
It's not that the veteran center is ducking the media so much as the demands for his thoughts aren't as highly sought as others.
"Which I'm fine with," Richards said with a slight smile.
It is a far cry from Richards' three seasons with the Rangers, when the spotlight shined intensely on a player who in 2011 signed a big-ticket, $60 million free-agent contract after nine seasons with the Lightning and the Stars.
"I didn't come to Chicago with a nine-year contract like I did in New York and was one of the captains of the team," Richards said "That's probably the only difference. ... There are a lot of guys here that have won ... and obviously they're going to get a lot more requests than I am."
Richards had a love-hate relationship with the New York media and fans: When the team was winning and he was putting up points, they loved him. When victories and goals were hard to come by, not so much. How bad did it get when things weren't going well?
"As bad as it can be when you aren't winning and you're not producing," Richards said. "There were also really good times when you're making a couple of playoff runs. I wouldn't change anything. I loved it."
With time, Richards learned to deal with the demands and expectations of playing in the Big Apple after starting his career with the Lightning before moving to the Stars.
"When I got to New York I learned a lot about playing in a bigger market," Richards said. "There are different expectations and different pressures and you have to learn how to deal with that stuff and block it out."
After three years that failed to match his best, the Rangers bought out the final six seasons of his contract in the offseason, making the 34-year-old and unrestricted free agent.
"I had it all my career pretty much but New York was a lot different," he said. "That stuff is like having to tie your skates, you have to do media. It shouldn't change how you play but it can get to you mentally and fatigue you if you worry about it. If you learn to let it go it's just another part of your day."
Now in the waning stages of his career after signing a one-year, $2 million deal with the Hawks over the summer, Richards is fine with flying under the radar.
"It's kind of welcomed after the last couple of years," he said "But being on the radar means you're doing something and you're a go-to guy. Once you retire you're never going to have that feeling again.
"I want to be a go-to guy. I want the responsibility to help this team win. ... The day I lose wanting to be involved and wanting the pressure that's probably the day I'll step away."
A slow start with the Hawks he attributed to changing locations and roles is being put further into the rear-view mirror as Richards has settled in as the center on a line with Kane and Kris Versteeg. Richards has two goals and five assists in the last 10 games and has shown an ability to keep up with his speedy wingers.
"(Richards) has gotten more comfortable every day he has been here," coach Joel Quenneville said. "He's getting a little familiar with his linemates and our system as well as not being a ... 25- or 22- or 19-minutes-a-night guy or the guy who is going to lead the franchise to new heights.
"Coming here he knew that changed and he's excited about the opportunity. It's ... a nice situation and a nice evolvement."
ckuc@tribpub.com
Twitter @ChrisKuc
