Mike Richards, with court date looming, agrees to 1-year deal with Capitals
The Washington Capitals have agreed to a one-year, $1-million pro-rated contract with forward Mike Richards.
The 30-year-old agreed to terms Wednesday after he was given clearance to play during a meeting with the NHL earlier in the day.
Richards has not played since having his 12-year, $69-million deal terminated by the Los Angeles Kings due to "a material breach of his Standard Player's Contract." The forward then filed a grievance, and the two sides came to a settlement, making him a free agent Oct. 9.
Richards' contract was terminated after he was charged with allegedly attempting to cross the United States/Canada border in possession of a controlled substance.
He has a court date set for Jan. 28 in Emerson, Manitoba, but Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan expressed little concern with the upcoming proceedings:
McLellan on Mike Richards: "We know he's pleading 'not guilty' and we believe everything will work out in his favor."
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 6, 2016
MacLellan said he's not sure when Richards will begin playing, but did suggest he may be sent to the AHL for a two-week conditioning stint, Sportsnet's John Shannon reports.
The Kenora, Ontario native won two Stanley Cups as a member of the Kings in 2012 and 2014, and reached the finals as the captain of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010. After four consecutive 60-plus-point seasons with the Flyers, he was never able to record 45 points in four seasons with the Kings.
Last season, he recorded career lows in goals (five) and assists (11) in 53 games before being waived, ultimately finishing the year with the AHL's Manchester Monarchs.