Courtesy: CBSSports.com
ARLINGTON, VA. — Washington wasted no time in addressing needs at the start of free agency as the Capitals inked defensemen Matt Niskanen, Brooks Orpik and goaltender Justin Peters.
Niskanen appeared to be an unlikely candidate to land in D.C. once the Capitals made the move for Orpik, but the 27-year-old was looking for a long term deal and has now found a home in Washington. Niskanen was brought in by general manager Brian MacLellan with a seven-year, $40.25 million contract.
While the salary numbers may seem high, the former Penguin earned his keep after a career year in Pittsburgh. He set career highs in points with 46, goals with 10, game-winning goals with six, assists with 36, games played with 81 and plus/minus with +33 – he was tops among NHL defensemen in that category. In the postseason, he also set career-high marks with nine points, two goals, seven assists, snagged six power play points – tops on the club – and led his team’s defensemen with 29 hits in 13 playoff appearances in 2013-14.
“We are very excited that Matt Niskanen has chosen to sign with Washington,” MacLellan said. “At 27 years of age, he is just entering his prime for a defenseman. We feel he will be a staple on our blueline for many years to come. We have stated all along that upgrading the defense was our top priority this offseason and we feel we accomplished our goal with our signings today.”
One of his former teammates in Pittsburgh will also join him in Washington as Brooks Orpik will continue to patrol the back end after signing a five-year, $27.5 million deal. At 33, Orpik may be at the end of his prime or even on the downward slope, but his resume suggests there is still enough gas left in the tank.
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated
Orpik is a two-time Olympian for Team USA and is known for showing up to work as he is the all-time leader among defensemen in Penguins history for games played with 703. Last season, he tallied 13 points, two of them were goals and 11 were helpers. He played to a -3 rating, blocked 143 shots and registered 221 hits.
Help at the back end will also aid the new spell between the pipes as Justin Peters was signed to a two-year, $1.9 million deal. His 4-3-0 career mark against the Capitals made him a most attractive option as he was the odd man out in Carolina among Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin. Peters will likely give Braden Holtby some time off here and there.
But the front line also will see a familiar face as center Michael Latta signed a two-year, $1.15 million deal to stay in D.C. and hopefully challenge or more playing time with the top club as opposed to bouncing back and forth with AHL affiliate Hershey.
What Washington did on the first day of free agency was exactly was former general manager George McPhee failed to do in recent years. The new regime, led by head coach Barry Trotz, pointed out that defense and goalie were their top needs and they addressed them early with quality players and stole them from familiar foes.
Courtesy: fans.Capitals.nhl.com
Bringing in Niskanen will give Washington a two-way defenseman who is just sprouting into the defenseman the Dallas Stars hoped he would become when they selected him in the first round in 2005. Orpik provides more of a tough, gritty d-man which is what the Capitals have lacked outside of the athletically challenged John Erskine. Peters gives Trotz another option if Philipp Grubauer doesn’t show he belongs with the top club, as well as it gives Braden Holtby another option to push him as well as give him rest. Latta is a sneaky good signing given his propensity to get under the skin of opponents and play a more physical brand of hockey that isn’t characteristic of most of Washington’s forwards.
On paper, chalk July 1 as a win for general manager Brian MacLellan, but there is still work left to be done and money to play around with despite spending big early on.
Plus, it’s always good to steal talented players from division rivals… especially the Penguins.
