The first significant free agent signing of the NHL’s UFA
market wasn’t an unrestricted free agent but rather a restricted on.
Defenseman Mike Green re-signed a four-year deal worth $5.25
million per season with the Washington Capitals, which is a substantial bump
over the $950K per season he earned on his entry level contract.
Green had a breakout performance in 2007-08, with 56 points
in 82 games and anchoring the Capitals power play, but it was during the
Capitals 2008 post-season series against the Philadelphia Flyers that he truly
shone as one of the club’s offensive leaders.
The Caps are not just paying for potential but also ensuring
they didn’t lose Green to an offer sheet which might’ve set the salary bar even
higher than $5.25 million per season.
If Green plays as well over the next four years as he did
this season he could prove worth every penny.
Also important to note that Green will still be an RFA at the end of this new contract. Overpaying now (with the cap perennially rising) will look like a genius move in 4 years when the Capitals have the final word on whether he remains with the team. Should he wind up somewhere else after this contract, the Caps will be handsomely compensated. Great, great work on McPhee's part.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
