Habs draft bust gets his NHL coaching shot with the Wild

Well they always say that those who cannot do, should teach.

Apparently that’s the way Todd Richards took after his NHL career failed to take off.

Picked in the second round by the Habs (33rd overall), Richards never made his debut until 1990 after his commitments to the University of Minnesota and being traded to the Hartford Whalers.

The former defenceman was only around for eight regular season games with four assists. In 11 playoff games he had three helpers.

He toiled in the IHL for nearly a decade.

But his coaching abilities were clearly there after his pro career.

He was an an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Admirals where his team reached the Calder Cup Finals twice, winning it in 2004.

Richard then took the head coaching position for the Penguins AHL affiliate Scranton-Wilkes/Barre in 2006.

He took the AHL Pens to the Calder Cup Final in 2007-08.

By the way, the guy who hired him to coach the mini-Pens is the new Wild GM Chuck Fletcher.

Do the math.

Richards served as an assistant last season with the San Jose Sharks.

The Edmonton Oilers were also apparently permitted to talk to Richards.