Mike Richards’ comeback is almost complete.
After having his contract terminated by the Los Angeles Kings last off-season, Richards had to wait a while before latching on with another team.
Earlier this month, the Capitals decided to take a chance on him, and finally, on Saturday, he’ll make his regular season debut against Buffalo.
“I’ve always had confidence and I always knew I could play,” Richards said after the morning skate. “Probably the toughest thing was just watching when you’re used to playing.
Richards also admitted that there will probably be some nerves tonight.
“Maybe a little bit of nerves, just more so with the new group and stuff like that. But once you get on the ice I think everything will kind of just go away, and it’ll just be hockey.”
Richards was centering a line with Zach Sill and Michael Latta during the team’s morning skate, and he also took some shifts on the PK.
He's centering a line of Sill (LW) and Latta (RW). https://t.co/WqJajjKhI0
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 16, 2016
AM skate lines:
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) January 16, 2016
8-19-77
65-92-14
25-90-43
23-10-46
27-2
9-88
55-4
“You have to earn your spot, you have to earn your position,” added Richards. “That’s how it should be. That’s how it is on every team.”
The 30-year-old had five goals, 16 points and a minus-10 rating with the Kings in 2014-15.