If October 9, 2020 feels like it was approximately 28 years ago, you are not alone. The new NHL contract year began that Friday at 12pm EST, but with everything else going on in the world these past three months it is a bit difficult to remember all of the signings that followed.
For example: Torey Krug is now a Blue and Alex Pietrangelo left St. Louis for… Las Vegas? Yeah.
However, fear not! If like us you need a refresher on all of the moves the Capitals made this offseason, a rundown of the contract comings and goings, before the puck drops tonight – look no further!
Free Agent Re-signings
Brenden Dillon, 30, LHD
4x$3.9 million
The Caps acquired Dillon at the 2020 trade deadline, and he fit in with the team immediately. Both the length and cap hit of the contract certainly raised some eyebrows in October, but he has proven that he works well within Washington’s defense.
Jonas Siegenthaler, 23, LHD
1x$800,000
The 2015 Capitals draft pick signed a bargain of a contract this offseason, and while he is currently slated to start the season as a healthy scratch on the Caps’ crowded blueline, he is an incredibly valuable part of the team’s future.
Shane Gersich, 24, LW
1x$700,000/$150,000
It seems like the Capitals are waiting for Shane Gersich to have a breakout year and crack the NHL roster, but they haven’t given up on him yet. He is starting this season in Hershey, but seeing him make the jump to the NHL roster wouldn’t be out of the question.
Acquisitions
Henrik Lundqvist, 38, G
1x$1.5 million
Until December 30, #Hank2DC was the Capitals’ biggest offseason splash this year. Unfortunately, as you all know, Lundqvist is not taking the ice this season and is currently recovering from open heart surgery. Get well soon, Hank!
Justin Schultz, 30, RHD
2x$4 million
The former Penguins defenseman joined a crowded right side of the Caps’ blueline, but with Dmitry Orlov moving up to the top pair with John Carlson in Michal Kempny’s absence, Schultz seems to be a solid fit with Dillon. While was another eyebrow-raising contract because of the cap hit, the potential reward is high.
Trevor van Riemsdyk, 29, RHD
1x$800,000
This was a sneaky good acquisition for the Caps, especially for the low cap hit. van Riemsdyk is an excellent third-pair defenseman and will be a reliable option for Washington to turn to if injuries arise in their top six.
Paul LaDue, 28, RHD
1x$700,000 one-way
This was a depth signing for Hershey, and LaDue could prove to be a great resource for younger players in the Capitals system with his 69 games of NHL experience.
Daniel Carr, 29, LW
1x$700,000/$415,000 two-way
Daniel Carr has played his entire career in the AHL and was named the 2018-2019 AHL MVP when he was playing with the Chicago Wolves. Another excellent depth signing for the Bears.
Cameron Schilling, 32, LHD
1x$700,000/$365,000 two-way
Schilling has previously played six games for the Capitals between 2012 and 2015, and most recently spent time in the Winnipeg Jets system. He cleared waivers yesterday and will start this season by rejoining the Hershey Bears.
Conor Sheary, 28, LW
1x$735,000
This signing came as a bit of a surprise, but Sheary has clearly proven himself to Laviolette and the rest of the team because he appears to have secured a spot on the Caps’ third line for opening night. At $730,000, this two-time Stanley Cup winner is an absolute steal.
Craig Anderson, 39, G
PTO, 1x$700,000
After Lundqvist said he would not be playing this season due to a heart condition, the Capitals went in search of a new veteran netminder. Anderson joined the Caps on a PTO during training camp and was signed to a league-minimum $700,000 contract on Wednesday before being placed on waivers for the purpose of being assigned to the taxi squad. While Laviolette announced this week that Vitek Vanecek would start the season as Ilya Samsonov’s backup, Anderson could prove to be an excellent option for the Caps’ third goalie.
Zdeno Chara, 43, LHD
1x$795,000
Zdeno Chara for $795,000. That’s it, that’s the tweet.
Departures
Braden Holtby — Vancouver Canucks, 2x$4.3 million
Radko Gudas — Florida Panthers, 3x$2.5 million
Ilya Kovalchuk — Avangard Omsk (KHL)
Travis Boyd — Toronto Maple Leafs, 1x$700,000
Tyler Lewington — Nashville Predators, 1x$700,000
Liam O’Brien — Colorado Eagles (AHL affiliate for Colorado Avalanche)
Kristofers Bindulis — Krefeld Pinguine (DEL)
Colby Williams — unsigned as of 1/12
Connor Hobbs — retired