WASHINGTON -- In need of center depth, the Washington Capitals agreed to a $1 million, one-year deal with two-time Stanley Cup winner Mike Richards on Wednesday.
Richards had been a free agent after a tumultuous offseason. He was arrested at a Canadian border crossing in June and charged with possession of a controlled substance, and the Los Angeles Kings bought out the remaining five years of his contract.
The Capitals said Richards met with the NHL earlier in the day and was given clearance to resume his career immediately. Washington visits the New York Islanders on Thursday night, and Richards is scheduled to speak to reporters at Barclays Center prior to the game.
Richards had been skating with his former junior team in Kitchener, Ontario, to stay in shape while not playing games. His legal situation is still pending in the province of Manitoba (see full story).
Predators: Ryan Johansen acquired in trade
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nashville Predators traded defenseman Seth Jones to the Columbus Blue Jackets for center Ryan Johansen on Wednesday, giving up a young piece of their defense in search of some more offense.
"Ryan is a big, young center that can score, set up goals, win faceoffs," general manager David Poile said. "He's a No. 1 center who is still growing his game and has the size and skill that we have been looking for to match up with the best in the league."
Johansen, 23, played in every game for Columbus the past two seasons, and the 6-foot-3, 218-pound center from Vancouver, British Columbia, had six goals and 20 assists in 38 games this season. He has 79 goals and 114 assists in 309 career games and was the fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft.
NHL
Jones, 21, was the fourth overall pick in the 2013 draft, and the right-handed 6-foot-3 defenseman has played 40 games for Nashville this season with one goal and 10 assists (see full story).
Sabres: Robin Lehner assigned to minors
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have sent goalie Robin Lehner to the minors on a conditioning assignment.
The move puts Lehner one step closer to returning since he sustained a lower-body injury in Buffalo's season opener against Ottawa on Oct. 8. Lehner practiced with the American Hockey League Rochester Americans on Wednesday, and is expected to play this weekend.
The Sabres traded a first-round pick to acquire Lehner from Ottawa in June.
Coach Dan Bylsma says defenseman Mark Pysyk will also head to Rochester on a conditioning assignment. Pysyk has missed 22 games with a lower body injury.
Forward Tim Schaller's status is uncertain as Buffalo prepares to open a three-game road trip at Chicago on Friday. Schaller sustained a lower body injury in a 5-1 loss to Florida on Tuesday.