Fansided

Surprise! Devante Smith-Pelly returns to the Caps with a one-year deal

By Kelsey Grace Pfeifer

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Devante Smith-Pelly #25 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his first-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Avi Gerver/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 04: Devante Smith-Pelly #25 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his first-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Four of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Capital One Arena on June 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Avi Gerver/Getty Images) /
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Devante Smith-Pelly has surprised everyone by turning down more lucrative offers to stay with Stanley Cup Champions, the Washington Capitals.

Welcome to hockey’s offseason, where the trade rumors are weird… and the actual outcomes are even weirder.

Devante Smith-Pelly of the Washington Capitals was a lynchpin in the playoffs this year, some of his moves personally propelling the team to clinch the Stanley Cup. For instance, his Game 5 goal in the final against the Vegas Golden Knights held more dazzle than any of the over-the-top Vegas pre-shows. However, his regulation season was, for lack of a better term, underwhelming.

Smith-Pelly had seven goals in the playoffs. This is nothing short of miraculous, considering he only had seven goals in the 75 games he played leading up to them.

The Capitals had acquired Smith-Pelly from the New Jersey Devils on a one-year, two-way contract before the 2017-18 season. Since being drafted in 2010, Smith-Pelly has bounced around his fair share, so with his contract under review, he was adamant that he wanted to stay with the Capitals after their win.

Washington’s opinion was heard loud and clear as “DSP” was chanted by hundreds of thousands during the Stanley Cup parade.

“He’s become a big part of the team… he’s well-liked,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan told NBC Sports Washington, “You could tell the teammates really migrate towards him, they like him and then the crowd also likes him.”

That being said, the Capitals had some tough choices this year. Franchise defenseman John Carlson was up for review and he walked away with a monster eight-year, $64 million deal. Others like goal-tender Philipp Grubauer and veteran Brooks Orpik were strategically traded during the draft for a second-round pick. There were still more RFA’s like Tom Wilson and UFA’s like Michal Kempny to consider.

So earlier this week, when it was announced that the Capitals were extending qualifying offers to some of their young guns like Madison Bowey and Travis Boyd, it looked like Smith-Pelly would once again be wearing a different jersey.

But if this year has proved anything, it’s that for Washington, dreams can come true.

Smith-Pelly has resigned with Washington, turning down more lucrative offers in the process. According to NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes, Smith-Pelly took less to stay because he loves D.C. and is loved by his teammates. Now, this is sports. Commaraderie over a cash-out.

At the end of the day, Smith-Pelly is going to walk away with a one year, $1 million contract to return to the Capitals.

If the Capitals can recreate even a sliver of their chemistry from last season, they could once again be lethal. Smith-Pelly is a force to be reckoned with and if he comes into the regular season with that momentum, Caps fans should be expecting a second summer with the Stanley Cup.

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