He was bought out by the Rangers in 2014 and signed a one year deal worth $2 million with the Chicago Blackhawks. Richards was the CHL Player of the Year and won the MVP and Playoff MVP Awards in the QMJHL. In the NHL he was selected to the NHL All-Rookie Team. He won the Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Lightning and won the Conn Smythe Trophy for Most Valuable Player of the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The same year he won the NHL Lady Byng Trophy for Sportsmanship. Richards played in his only NHL All-Star Game in the 2010-11 season. Competing internationally for Canada Richards won Gold at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He scored his first NHL hat trick in April 2013.