The Kings officially recalled Mike Richards on Sunday. The roster move materialized after it had become clear in the latter stages of his assignment to Manchester that the veteran center would be a strong candidate for a late-season recall. No corresponding roster move was made.
In 16 games with Manchester, Richards totaled three goals, 14 points, a plus-six rating and 39 shots on goal.
“He has been working hard,” Assistant General Manager Rob Blake said via email.
Richards was most recently seen at Toyota Sports Center in Los Angeles two weeks ago as he took part in private physical testing to establish a baseline for his conditioning, as hockey operations told LA Kings Insider at the time.
Richards’ recall was the second of the club’s four allotted post-trading deadline AHL recalls. The first was used on a “paper trail” transaction on Nick Shore that would make the forward eligible for the Calder Cup Playoffs, should he be needed.
At the Kings’ practice at the Prudential Center on Sunday, Richards skated primarily in a third line slot alongside forwards Kyle Clifford and Justin Williams. Tanner Pearson, though limited, also skated in several rushes in his first full team practice with the club since breaking his lower left fibula against Winnipeg on January 10.
More to come on Richards and the Kings following today’s practice.
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