Getting the Band Back Together

Posted by Dave Nichols | Friday, July 09, 2010 | , , , | 1 comments »

With yesterday's news that the Caps have re-signed winger Eric Fehr to a sparkling new two-year deal (reportedly worth $2.2 million per season), that leaves just C/RW Tomas Fleischmann as the sole unsigned Restricted Free Agent.

Fehr joins D Jeff Schultz (four-year, $11 million) and C Boyd Gordon (one-year, $800,000) as players that have re-upped with the Captials in the past week.

Unless Flash and his agent have a turn of heart and get something worked out, the sides will meet in arbitration July 28 in Toronto, accirding to a tweet from Mike Vogel this morning.

GM George McPhee was able to bring three big contributors back into the fold at reasonable price tags, and hopes to do the same with Fleischmann.  The center had moments of brilliance last season, but was too inconsistant during the regular season and then all but disappeared in the playoffs -- not the way you want to enter an arbitration hearing.

Fleischmann and his agent would be better served finding a middle ground with GMGM, rather than go throught he bitterness of arbitration for the sake of a few more bucks.

Perhaps McPhee has been putting a little more attention to retaining his talent than going out and seeking new talent via free agency.  But to good affect, in my opinion.  Some of the money being thrown around for average players on the market thus far has been a little ridiculous, and I think McPhee and the Caps are better served being patient and prudent.

There are a few names out there left unsigned that might look good wearing a red sweater this fall.  I'm willing to wait a little longer to see who, if anyone, McPhee still has an interest in.

Capitals Sign Jeff Schultz to Four-Year Deal

Posted by Dave Nichols | Wednesday, July 07, 2010 | , , , | 0 comments »

The Washington Capitals announced today the re-signing of D Jeff Schultz to a four-year contract.

In keeping with team policy, the terms of the agreement were not announced, but according to Capitals Insider:
The deal is worth $11 million over four years and will pay the defenseman $2.5 million in each of the first two years and $3 million in the final two years for a $2.75 million per season average.
Schultz led the NHL in plus/minus last season with a plus-50 rating. The 24-year-old also racked up three goals and 20 assists in 73 games..

Earlier in the week, the team inked C Boyd Gordon to a one-year deal.  Again, Capitals Insider had the contract at $800,000.

Gordon, limited to 36 games because of a back injury in 2009-10, had four goals and six assists in his sixth season with the Caps.

The two signings leaves just two unsigned restricted free agents, C Tomas Fleischmann and RW Eric Fehr, both of whom have filed for arbitration.

Also, Michael Nylander was waived (again) at noon.  He will count $4.875 million agains the Capitals' salary cap if no team claims him.