The saga of former Los Angeles King and Philadelphia Flyer Mike Richards continues.
The latest report involving the alleged incident involving Richards which ultimately resulted in the termination of the five years remaining on his 12-year, $69 million deal, apparently involves a prescription drug.
"NHL officials have been notified that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police investigation into ex-L.A. Kings player Mike Richards involves the prescription drug oxycodone ... multiple sources tell TMZ Sports.
"Our sources say Richards was stopped while crossing from the United States into Canada on June 17th ... and we're told he was questioned about oxycodone pills, a powerful painkiller."
Paul Friesen of The Winnipeg Sun reported something very similar shortly thereafter:
"NHL veteran Mike Richards is under investigation for alleged possession of a restricted substance while attempting to cross the Canada-U.S. border.
"A source tells the Winnipeg Sun Manitoba RCMP are investigating, but have not laid charges, after a man was held in custody at the Emerson, Man., border crossing for at least four hours after allegedly trying to import OxyContin pills on June 17."
This report seems to jibe pretty well with everything else we already know about the two-time Stanley Cup-winner's termination.
Richards, 30, was terminated by the Kings on Monday, despite the fact that they were considering both a buyout and a trade during the 2015 NHL Draft. Kings GM Dean Lombardi, per a report passed along by HNGN on Tuesday, immediately broke off those talks and the team instead pursued this course of action.
It was then reported that the incident involving Richards happened at a border crossing, and further reports suggested that the former first-round draft pick was under investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
At this point, Richards has not been charged with a crime.
"We have not charged Mike Richards with anything," RCMP spokesperson Tara Seel told the Winnipeg Sun, Tuesday. "In terms of an ongoing investigation, we cannot discuss who or who may not be investigated."
