The Toronto Maple Leafs are making their pitch to unrestricted free agent Brad Richards. Once the Leafs are done, the Los Angeles Kings are expected to speak with Richards. The Leafs and the Kings should both be considered serious contenders for Richards services, but they certainly aren't the only ones. We'll keep you posted.

The Tampa Bay Lightning might not make a serious offer for Brad Richards. Although the Lightning were among the initial candidates for Richards' services, their cap situation might get in the way. They still haven't signed restricted free agent Steven Stamkos, and it's hard for them to gauge how much room they have before that happens. In addition, they need to account for the fact that Steve Downie and Victor Hedman will become restricted free agents in 2012. It would be interesting to see Richards back in a Lightning uniform, but it isn't likely to happen.

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke is not hiding the fact that he plans to be very active when free agency begins on July 1st. "We're going to be active on July 1st," Burke said Saturday. "We have to see who gets there first; some of these guys are going to sign. We make no secret about it. We have two drafts. One draft now and we have a draft on July 1st. We've been active each year and we intend to be again." The Leafs are among a number of teams vying for the attention of free agent Brad Richards, but with the Rangers and Lightning among the clubs interested in his services it may be a tough task to get him to sign on the dotted line.

The New York Rangers are reportedly prepared to be a serious contender in the Brad Richards' sweepstakes. Richards might have lost one potential suitor on Thursday when the Los Angeles Kings acquired Mike Richards from the Flyers. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs are still believed to be very interested in Brad Richards' services. The Tampa Bay Lightning might also be Richards' preferred destination, given that he was drafted by the Lightning and played for them until he was traded in 2008. We'll keep you posted.