Seeking help at center, Capitals sign Mike Richards through remainder of season

In a move that will certainly raise eyebrows around the National Hockey League, the Capitals have signed center Mike Richards to a one-year, $1 million contract.

The decision to terminate the contract came shortly after Richards was reportedly stopped while crossing the border from the United States into Canada on June 17. “We’re going to see where he’s at physically and mentally and try to incorporate him into our lineup”.

The Kings released Richards in June 2015 for “material breach” of contract, although they declined to elaborate further. The team recently lost third-line center Jay Beagle to a wrist injury.

Richards has recorded 133 goals and 216 assists in his career, which includes a pair of Stanley Cup championships with the Kings in 2012 and 2014.

Selected by the Flyers with the 24th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, Richards made his NHL debut in 2005 and spent the first six seasons of his career in Philadelphia before being traded to Los Angeles in 2011.

Ovechkin manged to get in a few good punches, but Richards clearly won that bought. “I’m excited, and I’ve never felt better”. When it becomes a burden, a job, I guess, it’s hard to play at the highest level. “It’s given me a chance to see I took coming to the rink and playing hockey for a living for granted”.

Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi said Richards was caught in a “destructive spiral” in a long statement to the Los Angeles Times after the settlement was announced.

“I’m just really looking forward to getting back to having fun playing the game I love”, Richards said, per TSN.

“I think now that everything’s out in the open and the team can work with him without things being hidden, I think he’s got a great shot”, Lombardi said on a conference call.