- NHLPA: On Mike Richards.
“The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) have reached a settlement agreement regarding Mike Richards’ standard player contract. The settlement amicably resolves the grievance filed by the NHLPA on August 10, 2015 in response to the Los Angeles Kings’ termination of Richards’ contract. Richards is an Unrestricted Free Agent.”
- Bob McKenzie: The Kings will pay out Richards until 2031.
- Rich Hammond of the OC Register: The Kings will have a $1.32 million salary cap hit for Mike Richards for the next five seasons, plus a cap penalty based on the annual payments to Richards up until 2031. Richards had five years and $22 million left on his deal when the Kings terminated it.
- Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks signed defenseman Simon Despres to a five-year contract extension.
“I’m really happy to be here for another five years,” said Despres. “It’s a great team, great city, great fans and a great environment to play hockey. I’m very pleased to play here a long time. It’s not something that would’ve worried me. I’m happy for my family, I’m happy for me and my wife. It’s going to be an exciting time for us for the next five years. I’m looking forward to winning a couple of Stanley Cups.”
- Pierre LeBrun: Despres’ salary breakdown: $2.6 million, $3.1 million, $4.7 million, $4.7 million and $3.4 million. (A $3.7 million salary cap hit.)
- ESPN: The Kings put Peter Budaj on waivers. John Scott (ARI) and Mikko Vainonen (NSH) cleared waivers.
- Ansar Khan of MLive: Red Wings Daniel Cleary cleared waivers and he doesn’t want to play in the AHL and has refused assignment to Grand Rapids according to GM Ken Holland. The only option for Cleary appears to be retirement. The 36-year old Cleary had signed a one-year, one-way $950,000 deal this offseason. There would be no salary cap hit for the Red Wings for Cleary.
