LOS ANGELES -- The NHL Players' Association has filed a grievance on behalf of center Mike Richards, contesting the termination of his contract by the Los Angeles Kings.
The Kings terminated the final five years of Richards' contract on June 29, saying the two-time Stanley Cup champion committed "a material breach" of his deal.
The team and Richards have said nothing else about the circumstances of his termination. But Richards was expected to fight it, since he was due another $22 million.
The Kings would get only a $1.32 million cap penalty for the next five years if they're successful in terminating his contract.
Richards cleared waivers last season and was sent to the AHL because of his declining play and conditioning issues with the Kings, who acquired him from Philadelphia in 2011.
Rangers: Jarret Stoll signs
NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers signed recently arrested Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll on Monday, a few months after he pleaded guilty in a felony cocaine case.
There was no mention of the legal matter in the Rangers' news release announcing the free-agent signing.
NHL
Contract terms were not immediately available.
Stoll gives the Rangers a top faceoff man and penalty killer. He has played in 792 NHL games over parts of 12 seasons with Edmonton and Los Angeles, with 140 goals and 239 assists.
The 33-year-old pleaded guilty in June to two reduced misdemeanor charges to resolve a felony cocaine case stemming from his April arrest at a Las Vegas Strip swimming pool. A felony charge of cocaine possession was dismissed.
Stoll was sentenced to 32 hours of community service. He's also starting a program to help others understand the dangers of using alcohol and controlled substances.
Security guards at MGM Grand's Wet Republic pool found what police believed to be 3.3 grams of cocaine and several ecstasy capsules in Stoll's pocket on April 17.
Stoll has won 55.4% of faceoffs in his career, and he has posted a faceoff win percentage of 51 percent or higher in every season. He has led his team in faceoff win percentage in nine consecutive seasons (2005-06 - 2013-14).
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder played in three Stanley Cup finals, and won two with the Kings, in 2011-12 and 2013-14. In 93 NHL playoff games, Stoll has 10 goals and 16 assists.
Blackhawks: Patrick Kane investigation involves woman in 20s
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A person familiar with the police investigation of Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane tells The Associated Press that it involves something that happened between the player and a woman in her 20s.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because authorities have not revealed any details of the investigation being conducted by Hamburg police.
Hamburg Police Chief Gregory Wickett confirmed the investigation last week, saying it involved something that may have happened at Kane's home outside of Buffalo on Aug. 2. Wickett said police were gathering information and awaiting results of forensic tests.
Kane is from Buffalo, and was selected first overall by Chicago in the 2007 draft. He has helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cup championships in the past six seasons.