The deadline for restricted free agents to pursue salary arbitration just passed, and a pair of Capitals are on the list of those who filed. Forward Brooks Laich and defenseman Shaone Morrisonn are two of the 15 RFAs from around the league who volunteered for arbitration if they can not work deals in the next two weeks. If not, a hearing will be scheduled for between July 20 and August 4. They are also not allowed to sign an offer sheet, so those rumors and worries can be put to rest.
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Laich, 25, went to arbitration before last season and was awarded $725,000. He then proceeded to post a career-high 21 goals and 37 points and became a key member of the team’s second power play unit. Morrisonn, 25, made $900,000 last season and became the yang to Mike Green‘s yin on the team’s top defensive pairing. His numbers weren’t gaudy (one goal, 10 points) but his defensive responsibility allowed Green to become a dominant offensive force.
Forwards Boyd Gordon and Eric Fehr did not elect for salary arbitration. Teams have until Sunday to pursue arbitration with those players if they’d like. Fehr will likely accept his qualifying offer, and Gordon could do that as well.
