"The Kings addressed one of their top off-season priorities Tuesday, announcing forward Brad Richardson has re-signed with a two-year contract. The restricted free agent elected salary arbitration last week.

Richardson, 26, had seven goals, 19 points, 47penalty minutes and a minus-13 rating last season, his third with the Kings. Richardson thrived in the playoffs, centering a line with Kyle Clifford and Wayne Simmonds - who has since been traded to Philadelphia - and scoring two goals and five points in six games.

On a new-look Kings squad with Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll at center, Richardson figures to get more playing time on the wing positions.

Entering his seventh pro season, Richardson might be needed more for his speed and penalty-killing prowess. But his versatility will allow him to fill in for injury-prone wingers Justin Williams and Simon Gagne if needed.

Richardson will make $2.35 million over the next two seasons, an annual salary-cap hit of $1.175million.

That leaves the Kings with nearly $10.7 million of wiggle room under the $64.3million salary-cap ceiling. "