C Brad Richardson agrees to 1-year deal to return to Kings, avoiding arbitration

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Centre Brad Richardson has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Kings, avoiding an arbitration hearing.

Richardson, a restricted free agent, will make US$900,000 next season in the deal announced Saturday.

Richardson had 11 goals and 16 assists last season while playing in a career-high 81 games for the Kings.

Richardson also was the Kings' nominee for the Masterton Trophy for his impressive bounce-back season after missing much of the 2008-09 season with a serious foot injury.

The Kings acquired Richardson in June 2008 from Colorado, where he played his first three NHL seasons.