Can Richards seize this chance?

Exiled forward still dealing with legal troubles

A contrite Mike Richards met t he news media on Thursday for the first time since signing a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals.

Richards, a 30- year- old centre and a two- time Stanley Cup winner with the Los Angeles Kings, would talk only about getting back on the ice after a year of legal troubles and a trip to the minor leagues.

Richards was arrested in June after the police in Manitoba were notified that a controlled substance had been intercepted by the border authorities in Canada.

That came after Richards played 53 games for the Kings last season, during which he was waived, and 16 games in the American Hockey League. After the arrest, the Kings terminated Richards’ contract for a “material breach.”

The players’ union then filed a grievance on his behalf.

Richards declined to discuss that meeting or his pending legal issues. He has a court appearance scheduled Jan. 28 for possession of a controlled substance entering Canada.

“I can’t really talk about that,” he said. “I’m just here to play hockey.”

The 12- year, $ 69- million contract that Richards signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2008 still had $22 million remaining when it was terminated. Richards signed a deal with the Capitals reportedly worth a prorated $1 million.

“It’s not fun being 30 years old, sitting on your couch and not having much to do,” said Richards, who has 124 games of playoff experience and joins his former Kings teammate and close friend Justin Williams with the Metropolitan Division- leading Capitals.

“It’s a privilege to be able to play hockey at the highest level,” Richards added. “When you don’t have that opportunity, it weighs on you. So it’s nice to be back.”

Richards was a firstround draft pick by Philadelphia in 2003 and played six seasons f or t he Flyers, where, as captain, he helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. Dogged by reports of excessive partying while with the Flyers, Richards was traded to the Kings in June 2011. Along with his former Flyers teammate Jeff Carter, he was instrumental in leading Los Angeles to Cup titles in 2012 and 2014.

Despite his tribulations last season, Richards remained upbeat as he worked to stay in shape.

“I always expected and pushed to be back,” he said. “I’m obviously fortunate the Capitals have taken a chance on me.”

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan, who met Richards along with coach Barry Trotz in Toronto late last year, said he was confident that Richards was in the right frame of mind to return to hockey.

Richards also met with NHL officials, i ncluding commissioner Gary Bettman, before the Capitals deal was announced.

“There’s always two sides to the story,” MacLellan said. “We listened to his side. We felt a good comfort level. It’s been a long process which ended with us signing him. This gives us depth at centre.”

Richards declined to discuss scathing comments made by Kings general manager Dean Lombardi in recent months.

“I haven’t spoken to Dean in a really long time,” he said. “I have no reaction to his comments.”

Trotz said that Richards would soon practice with the Capitals and that decisions would be forthcoming for their newest addition. The Capitals will play the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

“Let’s just see where he is,” Trotz said. “We’re going to start him on the fourth line, and he can work up based on his play just like everyone else.”