Photo: @Capitals
The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday afternoon that they have re-signed forward Jakub Vrana to a two-year contract that carries a cap hit of $3.35 million per season. The 23-year-old became a restricted free agent on July 1.
We know you’ve been waiting on this one, Twitter Fam!
Washington Capitals have signed left wing @JVranaa to a two-year, $6.7 million contract ($3.35 million AAV)!
RT/LIKE/ALL THE THINGS FOR V! #ALLCAPS
More info: https://t.co/NURHKNAZin pic.twitter.com/QkDlSbsqYe
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 16, 2019
Vrana’s 24 goals last season were third on the Capitals only behind captain Alex Ovechkin (51) and forward T.J. Oshie (25). He set career-highs in goals, assists (23) points (47), plus-minus (+20), and games (82) this past season. He was held scoreless and posted a -1 rating in seven games during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Capitals’ General Manager Brian MacLellan told the media a few weeks ago that he initially wanted to sign Vrana to a long-term contract but expected to sign him shorter-term after the salary cap decreased to $81.5 million from the initially projected $83 million.
With Vrana now under contract, the Capitals have $935,706 left in cap space with forward Chandler Stephenson and defenseman Christian Djoos still left to sign. Both became restricted free agents on July 1 and filed for salary arbitration prior to the deadline to do so on July 5. Djoos’ hearing is scheduled to take place on July 22 while Stephenson’s is set to happen on August 1. They can both sign a contract at any time before the arbitrator rewards each a contract.
“Jakub is a highly skilled player with a tremendous upside and is a big part of our future,” said MacLellan. “We are pleased with his development the past two seasons and are looking forward for him to continue to develop and reach his full potential with our organization.”
The Capitals selected Vrana 14th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft. In 176 career NHL games (all with the Capitals), the native of Prague, Czech Republic, has posted 40 goals, 80 points, and a +24 rating.
Vrana posted three goals, eight points, and a +5 rating in 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games during the team’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2018.
He will become a restricted free agent again in 2021, though he will get arbitration rights then.
By Harrison Brown
I’m not sure they have done enough to win another Metro Division title! But their head coach Reirden is not good enough to lead them to the promise land.
Here, here!
Done enough to win the Metro? Its the same team thats won the Metro 4 years in a row. Im not saying guaranteed Metro win but caps will be in the top 2 again. I mean you have 2 stacked top lines that nobody can match in the division other then Flightless Birds up north probably, and Im not worried 1 bit bottom 6 scoring atleast through the 3rd line.. Hagelin,Eller, Panik on paper thats a very productive, fast line. 1 thing getting overlooked is vast improvement in out defense, all the acquired players, or returning players(Hagelin,Gudas, Panik etc) are excellent PKrs, and overall good defenders so we shouldnt have a bottom 10 pk in fact it should be top 10-12 all yr through playoffs if these players are what the analytics&stats say they are. B. Overall defensive improvement infront of Holtby bc hes been getting lots of high quality dangerous shots in recent years should drop his gaa into mid 2.5 area atleast leading to another Metro possibly
Pingback: What’s Next for the Capitals in Free Agency? | NoVa Caps
Pingback: Ice Shavings: Now Is It Time To Panik? Vrana’s Pending Payday | NoVa Caps