Fantasy Impact: The Washington Capitals have signed center Mike Richards to a one-year deal worth $1 million.

The Capitals get: a former No.1 center who slipped to that of a third-line center by 2011 despite being just 26 at the time. Last season he could barely crack the Kings' lineup and played part of the year in the AHL. He's still only 30 and the Caps need a checking-line center with experience. A good gamble, but one has to wonder why they didn't go to Derek Roy. Remember him? He was in training camp and did very well, but was unable to get a contract.

Players Impacted: This takes Michael Latta out of the lineup and puts Brooks Laich on the hot seat. It also increases the odds that Andre Burakovsky remains on the wing.

At best, Richards is still a 40-point player. I wouldn't put money on "at best" though. And the players he displaces have little in the way of fantasy value either. However, youngsters looking for ice time now have to deal with another body in the way. So Stanislav Galiev wasn't done any favors here, even if he's a winger.

Fantasy players this helps, in order:

1. Richards (last year's profile here)

Fantasy players this hurts, in order:

1. Galiev (prospect profile here)