On his blog Monday, Ted Leonsis told fans that the Capitals “want to keep some players” as free agency approaches.
Tuesday, they kept their biggest impending free agent, signing Brooks Laich to a six-year deal. According to the team, it’s worth a total of $27 million, which would be a $4.5 million cap hit.
“I’m thrilled to make the commitment to remain a Capital,” Laich said in a statement released by the team. “It is a wonderful organization with terrific fans and I’m very happy to continue to call Washington home for many years to come.”
According to reports, Laich will earn $6.5 million this coming season, then $4 million each of the next two, then $4.5 million in 2014-15 and $4 million in the final two years. Craig Custance of The Sporting News reports Laich has a “limited” no-trade clause in the first four years.
Leonsis called Laich a “winner” on his blog.
“It is a testament to our organization and to the kind of player Brooks is that he has returned to the fold and to his hockey family,” he wrote Tuesday morning on his blog. “He is a talented multi-purpose player with high integrity and a great motor.”
Laich had 16 goals and 32 assists for the Caps last season.
“We are very pleased to have Brooks Laich continue his career as a Washington Capital,” GM George McPhee said. “Brooks has excelled as one of the League’s finer two-way players and is just entering his prime. His combination of size, speed, versatility and leadership makes him a valuable part of our club.”
