- The Washington Times - Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Center Mike Richards signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday, giving the team a long-term option with Jay Beagle out for at least another month following surgery on one of his hands last week.

Richards’ tenure with the Los Angeles Kings ended suddenly in June when the team suddenly terminated his contract for what it termed a “material breach.”

In August, Richards was charged with possession of a controlled substance after an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police determined that Richards attempted to cross the border from North Dakota into Manitoba with a controlled substance.

The 30-year-old was part of the Kings’ Stanley Cup teams in 2012 and 2014. Entering his 11th season, Richards has twice scored more than 30 goals and has surpassed 60 points four times, including a career-high 80 points in 2008-09, when he played for the Philadelphia Flyers.

• Zac Boyer can be reached at zboyer@washingtontimes.com.

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