The Washington Capitals announced on Friday the signing of left-wing Alexander Suzdalev. Suzdalev will earn $775,000 in each of the first two seasons of the deal and $800,000 (NHL) in the third and $82,500 in the AHL.
The Capitals selected Suzdalev with their third-round pick (70th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Capitals acquired the pick as part of the trade that sent goaltender Vitek Vanecek to the New Jersey Devils on Friday morning.
Alexander Suzdalev’s stick-handling is 🔥.
Look at how he evades pressure. As soon as the attacker comes to him, he shifts the puck over. He’s got great reach. Allows him to net quality separation. #2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/UcgifeN9fW
— Josh Tessler 🇺🇦 (@JoshTessler_) June 2, 2022
Suzdalev, 18, is a left-hander listed at 6’2” and 176 pounds. He spent last season with HV71 junior 20 team in Sweden.
Suzdalev, a native of Khabarovsk, Russia, posted 15 goals, 51 points, and a +10 rating in 45 games this season. He added a -1 rating in six World Junior games for Sweden and one goal and two points in 12 international junior games.
He also notched three goals, four points, and a -1 rating in five postseason games for the J18 team and three goals and four points in five playoff outings for the J20 team.
By Jon Sorensen
Welcome to the Caps family, Alex!