Mike Richards News

Richards had his contract with the Kings terminated in 2014 after he faced a charge of possession of a controlled substance while entering Canada. The Capitals met with the NHL on Wednesday and he was granted permission to resume his NHL career. Richards won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012 and has 482 career NHL points (179G / 303A) in 710 games.

Richards has registered three goals and 11 assists (14 points) in 16 games with Manchester this season. He has been recalled because the Kings are without Jarrett Stoll and there is no word when he is expected to return.

Richards, who cleared waivers this afternoon, will be sent to Manchester tomorrow. The $5.725M centre will give the Kings $925K of cap-relief by reporting to the minors. He had 15 points (7G / 8A) in 14 AHL playoff games back in 2004-05, his only AHL action of his career.

Richards has never played an AHL game, but could be headed there now. If he is assigned to Manchester the Kings will get $925K of cap-relief, meaning Richards would represent $4.825M of dead cap space. The Kings will continue to explore trade options.

Richards, 29, has fallen a long way since being drafted 24th overall in 2003. He has a career-high of 80 points in 2008-09, but has registered just five goals and 10 assists (15 points) in 47 games this season. The Kings have reportedly tried trading Richards as of late, but the last trade fell through last night. If someone elects to claim him, he comes with a $5.75 million US cap-hit.

"I'd say it's 50/50," Sutter said of Richards' chances of playing. Richards has missed the past three games with a concussion. He took rushes on the fourth line between Jordan Nolan and Kyle Clifford during the morning skate Saturday. He declined a request to be interviewed in the dressing room afterward.

Richards, who will miss his third straight game with a concussion, skated with the Kings' scratches on Wednesday. Sutter did not want to discuss Richards' health when asked for an update on how he felt after skating Wednesday. "The protocol is very clear," Sutter said. "You've covered enough concussions, surely, you know the protocol."

Richards missed Game 2 because of what the Kings are calling an upper-body injury. The fact that he didn't skate this morning would suggest that Richards won't play tonight. Consider him questionable for tonight's Game 3 in LA.

Richards took a hit to the head late in Game 1 that may affect his Game 2 status. The Kings didn’t hold a morning skate, Darryl Sutter wasn’t available to the media this morning so Richard's status is unknown. No disciplinary action was taken on the hit.

Richards moves back to the second line, where he plays his natural position. He has 13 goals and 23 points through 34 games with the Kings.

Richards took line rushes with his expected linemate Simon Gagne. Look for him to draw back into the lineup for the first time since December 1st.

Richards took line rushes with his expected linemate Simon Gagne. Look for him to draw back into the lineup for the first time since December 1st.

Richards still may miss a game or two but getting cleared to play is definitely the next step. His conditioning has been lauded so he may be able to draw right back in.

Richards has been able to workout without any setbacks which is an encouraging sign. While there remains no timetable for his return he should get back into lineup within a month.

Richards has been able to workout without any setbacks which is an encouraging sign. While there remains no timetable for his return he should get back into lineup within a month.

His status remains out indefinitely so he should be expected to miss at least the rest of this month.

Great sign that Richie is meeting up with the team. However, his status remains out indefinitely so he should be expected to miss at least the rest of this month.