The Columbus Blue Jackets signed Richard to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2025-26 season on March 31, 2025. He split the 2024-25 season in the NCAA (37 games with Providence College) and the American Hockey League after signing an ATO (Amateur Tryout Contract) with the Cleveland Monsters (eight regular season and six playoff games with the Monsters).

The 22-year-old is a jack of all trades, master of none, defender. He can contribute offensively, but his defensive play is what he is known for. Although he is not a punishing defender, he matches up well defensively due to his 6-2, 109 lb frame and consistently blocks shots. Richard will need to spend time in the AHL to get up to speed at the professional level. There is potential to become a bottom-pairing shutdown defender in the NHL with proper development. In deep dynasty leagues where you can stash prospects that value peripheral stats, Richard is worth adding to your watchlist.

After being selected 101st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Richard took the NCAA route with the Providence Friars and has had a decent freshman season, especially for a mid-round pick. The prospect went from scoring two goals and 12 assists in 46 games in the USHL with Tri-City the season before, to scoring three goals and 11 assists in 10 fewer games at the collegiate level this year. A massive production step-up for a blue-liner whose strongest attribute is his defensive acumen.

Aggressive, proactive, and composed off the puck, Richard excels at defending the rush and boxing out the net-front. Although his puck retrievals leave him vulnerable to strong forecheckers at times, he can make good decisions when he has runway ahead of him to think and find the right play. He can catch passes in motion and join the rush quite well, but seems tentative at times in the offensive zone. He also ended his freshman year as the Friars’ runaway leader in plus-minus, with his plus-18 being eight points clear of any teammate, and nine points clear of the next blue-liner. Richard’s game will likely continue to revolve around his strong defensive play, but if he can somehow add some offensive punch to his game, he’ll project as a more complete defender.