New York, who elected to select Harris. This allowed the teams to begin immediate negotiations with the players. Richard's rookie year in Atlanta was a disappointment. He rarely spoke to anyone that first year, perhaps a clue to problems adapting to the NHL. In February, after a game at Toronto in which the coach had sat him out, Richard left the team to return to his home in Quebec City and missed a couple practices without his coach's permission. Richard's uncle and agent said Richard "just reacted like a mixed-up kid. He got a little mad in Toronto, a little upset. Now he's realized he was wrong. He has decided he wants to play hockey again." Richard returned but finished the season scoring only 13 goals. Teamed in his second season with Tom Lysiak, his prospects seemed brighter as he scored 27 goals. The next season, in October 1974, Richard suffered facial fractures, a fracture of the right orbital bone and nose, in a game against Detroit. After three years with Atlanta, he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres. At the time, some hockey people thought the presence of several fellow French Canadian players on Buffalo might help Richard. However, in his first season with Buffalo, Richard scored only 12 goals. Early in his second season, a teammate accused Richard of not giving a good effort during practices. In November, Richard was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Although team management said the two were not connected, Richard was then sent to Buffalo's minor league affiliate, the Hershey Bears. Buffalo Sabre general manager Punch Imlach in his book Heaven and Hell in the NHL recalled his travails dealing with Richard's drinking. On one occasion, Richard was forced to miss a game due to a sprained wrist which had been hurt in a bar fight. On another, he barely missed being shot in a Quebec bar; the bullet went through his pant leg. Imlach describes Richard as "a nice kid, good hockey player" but he was "wasting his talent". Richard spent the next five seasons alternating between the NHL and playing full seasons in the minors. In February 1980, Buffalo terminated Richard's contract, which left him free to sign with any team. Immediately after being released by Buffalo, Richard signed with the Quebec Nordiques. Then in his eighth year as a pro and back in the city of his junior triumphs, the