Fansided

Capitals re-sign Marcus Johansson for three years

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 31, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson (90) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson (90) skates with the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Washington Capitals 4-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /
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Marcus Johansson and the Washington Capitals have agreed to a three-year deal worth $4.583 million per year just before their arbitration case.

Just before the NHL’s first arbitration case of the 2016 offseason between the Washington Capitals and restricted free agent forward Marcus Johansson, the Capitals and Johansson have agreed to terms on a three-year deal that will give Johansson a $4.583 million cap hit.

From NHL.com:

"Johansson, 25, registered 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists) in 74 games with the Capitals last season. The 6’1”, 209-pound forward set career highs in plus/minus (+12) and game-winning goals (7) in 2015-16 and tied his career high in power-play goals (6). He ranked tied for 11th in the NHL and second on the team in game-winning goals."

With that deal, the Capitals now have just over $3.4 million of cap space remaining. That is likely enough for them to be able to keep restricted free agent defenseman Dmitry Orlov.

The Capitals have had a quiet offseason after winning the President’s Trophy and losing to the eventual Stanley Cup-champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round. However, the Capitals are a team that didn’t necessarily need any huge changes. Why mess with a team that was extremely good?

Johansson serves as a catalyst for the Capitals power play. He is in charge of a majority of their zone entries. When he was out last season, their power play suffered. Johansson’s role with the Capitals is up in the air. Whether he is on the second forward line or third forward line, the Capitals can rely on Johansson to be productive and to be a consistent playmaker.

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