Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Capitals Sign Fedorov and Laich

The Washington Capitals made two key signings to keep their core of players together for the coming year, signing centre Sergei Fedorov to a 1-year, $4 million deal and Brooks Laich to a 3-year deal (no financial terms).

Fedorov, acquired by the Caps at the trade deadline, played 18 games for Washington in the regular season, scoring 2 goals and adding 11 assists. In the playoffs, he had 5 points in 7 games for Washington. He has been a very good fit for the other Russian players on the team and it has seemingly re-vitalized his career, which could make him a very good pick in next season's hockey pool drafts.

Laich, 25, has become a quality energy player for the Capitals, adding a scoring touch with 21 goals in all 82 games last season for Washington. He's slowly creeping onto the radar of a lot of fantasy owners and could figure onto the Caps' second line this coming year.

ForwardsDefenseGoaltenders
Alexander OvechkinMike GreenJose Theodore
Nicklas BackstromTom PotiBrent Johnson
Viktor KozlovJeff Schultz
Alexander SeminBrian Pothier
Sergei FedorovJohn Erskine
Brooks LaichMilan Jurcina
Michael Nylander
Tomas Fleischmann
Matt Bradley
David Steckel
Chris Clark
Donald Brashear

Unfortunately, Laich's salary number was not available, but we can tell you, with Fedorov in the line-up, that gives the Capitals 19 players at $52.7 million. Laich will make 20 players and he'll likely earn around the $2 million mark, leaving the team another $2 million for three players. Restricted free agents, Boyd Gordon, Shaone Morrisonn and Eric Fehr, are also on the radar to be signed this summer as well. It looks like it's going to be a tight squeeze in the US capital.

No comments: