Brad Richards is on the open market.
The Dallas Stars said Thursday they have no intention of signing the free-agent-to-be center by the July 1 deadline. Saturday night, Richards acknowledged he was moving on through a message on Twitter.
"Thanks to all the fans in Dallas for 3 great years," Richards tweeted. "Will miss everyone... Gonna take a rest from twitter For a bit.... Chat soon."
On Thursday, Dallas General manager Joe Nieuwendyk told ESPN.com that Richards would not be back.
"I think it's just common knowledge that clearly we're not going to have an owner in place by July 1," he said. "So, we know that Brad won't sign with us without a new owner. It's nothing we don't already know."
Nieuwendyk resisted the temptation to trade Richards at the trade deadline, despite intense interest from several teams, because he hoped Richards could help the Stars make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, Dallas lost out to Chicago for the eighth spot in the Western Conference on the last day of the season.
The Stars could trade the negotiating rights to Richards, but Richards has a no-trade clause and could veto any deal.
When Richards does hit the open market July 1, he will be among the most desirable free agents available.
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