Mike Richards is ready to get back on the ice.

The veteran forward, who recently reached a settlement with the Los Angeles Kings over his terminated contract, has every intention of returning to the NHL.

Related: Report: Rival GMs 'screaming bloody murder' over Richards' settlement with Kings

"Mike has worked this summer towards getting back to the NHL and now he's a free agent," Richards' agent, Pat Morris, told Rick Westhead of TSN.

"He wants to do his best to return to the Mike Richards hockey that allowed him to play on an Olympic team and allowed him to win two Stanley Cups, including one in 2014. He's got desire and want and he's had the longest period of time to train."

The 30-year-old appeared in 53 games for the Kings last season - recording five goals and 11 assists - and spent part of 2014-15 in the AHL after being placed on waivers. Drafted 24th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2003, Richards appeared in 710 regular-season games, with 179 goals and 303 assists to his name.

Richards' absence from the game is due, in part, to a charge of possession of a controlled substance, a case recently remanded to Dec. 8.