Winger Brett Connolly has re-signed with the Washington Capitals. The team and player agreed on a two-year contract worth $3 million. It carries an AAV/Cap hit of $1.5 million per season.
Brett Connolly has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with WSH. AAV of $1.5M.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 27, 2017
Brett Connolly Re-Signs With the Washington Capitals
The 25-year-old winger spent last season with the Capitals, signing a one-year $850,000 deal with the team. He did not receive a qualifying offer from the Capitals before yesterday’s deadline, and could have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Instead the parties agreed on a new contract that nearly doubles Connolly’s salary, and keeps him in Washington through the end of the 2018-19 season.
Connolly scored 15 goals and added eight assists for 23 points in 66 games with the Capitals last season. Originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2010 NHL Draft, 1st round, 6th overall; Connolly has played parts of six seasons in the NHL. In addition to playing for Washington and Tampa, he has also played for the Boston Bruins. In 276 career NHL games, Connolly has 42 goals and 40 assists for 82 career points.
Connolly played only seven of the Capitals 13 playoff games, with six healthy scratches. He also lost his spot on the Capitals third line to Tom Wilson. This raised questions about his future with the club. General manager Brian McLellan tried to dismiss that talk when he said, “He’s a young guy who still has some upside. I thought he had a very good year this year.”
If there was any doubt about his place with the Capitals, this new contract should dispell it.
Main Photo:
TORONTO,ON – APRIL 23: Brett Connolly #10 of the Washington Capitals skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre on April 23, 2017 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Capitals defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime to win series 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
