Hmmm, 7.8 million dollars per. First lets start with his point production. He has improved his play in every season so far and if it wasn't for what i think was "loose" goaltending in Tampa Bay then he would have increased his Plus/Minus as well. Richards point totals have risen consistently since he was a rookie in a league, up until this year, that was bent on restricting players. Lets not Forget that this guy was dynamic in junior too and noone really noticed. In his first two seasons for Rimouski he put up point totals of 115 and 131 respectively but in his third season he really exploded. Year three brought him CHL leading scorer, plus minus, and player of the year awards, QMJHL player of the year, leading scorer, and plus minus, not to mention that he won the memorial cup and captured playoff MVP on the strength of a 71 goal, 186 point campaign. Phew!!
In the NHL he has won a Stanley Cup, Lady Byng, Con Smythe and is nominated once agin this year for another Byng. What does this guy have to do to get everyone to see just how good he is? Ron Francis anyone!!

Now then, It seems obvious to me that this guy is now one of the elite forwards in the league. Is that worth 7.8 million per season, i'm not sure of that but i do believe that he should be paid according to where he stands with his peers and as far as i see it he is in a very select group!