Los Angeles Kings centre Mike Richards celebrates a goal in 2012.TODD KOROL/Reuters
The NHL Players' Association has filed a grievance on behalf of centre 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 due to his declining play and conditioning issues with the Kings, who acquired him from Philadelphia in 2011.