The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday night that they have signed defenseman Nick Jensen to a three-year contract extension that carries a $4.05 million cap hit. The 32-year-old could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Nick Jensen, signed to a 3x$4.05M extension by WSH, is an analytical darling defence-first defenceman. Useful in transition, very disciplined, and draws penalties as well. #AllCaps pic.twitter.com/CLAXFsKquU
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 1, 2023
Washington, who is currently three points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins (who have three games in hand) for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, had discussions with other teams regarding Jensen leading up to the NHL Trade Deadline, which is at 3 PM ET on Friday. The Ottawa Senators were among the teams that inquired about his availability.
While averaging 20:58 per game (which ranks second among Washington blueliners after Dmitry Orlov was dealt to the Boston Bruins this past Thursday), including 2:31 on the penalty-kill (two seconds behind Trevor Van Riemsdyk for the lead), Jensen has tallied two goals, 24 points, a -1 rating, 50.45% five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, 51.09% five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and 50.63% five-on-five scoring chances-for percentage in 62 games this season.
He has recorded 15 goals and 115 points in 469 career games with Washington and the Detroit Red Wings, who traded him for a second-round pick and defenseman Madison Bowey on February 22, 2019.
The #ALLCAPS re-signed RD Nick Jensen to 3 year $4.05M Cap Hit Deal.
Year 1 3M Salary & 2M Signing Bonus
Year 2 2.15M Salary & 2M SB
Year 3 1M Salary & 2M SBDoes not include trade protection
Rep’d by Ben Hankinson @OctagonHockey https://t.co/3p6L3uXrQn
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) March 1, 2023
After acquiring Rasmus Sandin from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a deal that sent Erik Gustafsson up north and re-signing Jensen, Washington has three defensemen currently under contract for next season with John Carlson being the other.
Left-wing Conor Sheary, left-wing Craig Smith, center Lars Eller, defensemen Trevor Van Riemsdyk and Matt Irwin, and right-wing Nicolas Aube-Kubel can all become unrestricted free agents on July 1.
By Harrison Brown
Given the scarcity of RD in the Caps system, and the relatively short term, this isn’t so bad. The cap hit is a bit more than I would have liked, but I don’t know where they were going to get a similarly capable RD any cheaper.
Agree. I kinda like this deal. He’s got relatively low miles on his body for his age, imho. Term is good. He was second best defensive defenseman over last 2-3 seasons. He’s come along way. Playing with Chara for a year changed his game.
Firing TR did more than anything else, imo
Huh.
Yes! Good signing. I think Mac is doing well so far.
I like it. 3 years was my limit as well. He takes good care of himself so he could be fairly effective for the next three seasons.
Not a bad signing although a little high however the best thing about it is that it does not include trade protection. So if this team can get AA signed for several years also then I would expect Jensen to be gone in a year or 2 depending on how fast AA acclimates to full time playing. Next year there will be Carlson, Jensen, Sandin, if the Gm can get them signed TVR, AA and Feharvary with McIlarth as the 7th D, unless someone from Hershey can take it away from him. Also nice to have McIlarth as another enforcer so that Wilson doesn’t have to do it all the time and lose valuable minutes on the O and can work moe on the PP and his shooting and passing skills. Also I think that this is a lot less that Orlov was willing to resign for and for fewer years. Now if someone would just call and take Eller and Smith this week would be a nice success!! IF Eller and Smith go is there any chance that Borgstrom, Sutter, Pilon and Snively get called up; or any combination of the before mentioned players?
I think this is very good choice.
With John back this may again be very strong D- unit
How much we miss Carly is clear so that would be great addition.
Nick deserves that Money > he is not star type of D but he is very reliable and plays very well in D zone. Same applies for Trevor so I hope we sign him as well> 2 years around 3 milion would be very reasonable. That’s re experienced players.
As we got rid of Orlov we can Now fit 2 D-man in His cap hit. Sadin is young, fast and quite productive but he is still quite cheep with only around 1,5 mil. Cap hit. Definitely a good choice for blue line in my opinion and losing first round pick and Guss for him definitely was not bad deal for team with many older players like ours.
Not to mention we still have Marty on blue line, who has been impressive last few games taking big minutes. Playing with Jens in 1-st pair again showed his potential to everybody who oversaw what he did for team in pair with Irwin. He has potential for maybe 16-18 points this year what re his duties on ice and where he played would be quite impressive as well. He may be signed for about same value as Sadin.
That gives us 2 young, cheep but reliable and already experienced D-man. If we can acquire another young guy I would trade both McIlrath and Irwin and keep Alexyev as no 7.
We still can trade ( should) Mantha or Eller ( both will be good as well). I would defo keep Aube-Kubel. But GM is doing very well so far in my opinion.
Jensen plays his heart out. He skates well and can transition the puck around. It’s about a million more per year than I’d like but that’s leverage for you. RDs are hard to come by. I expect he’ll have some trade value if that becomes necessary.
We desperately need some toughness added to the D. Next looks like:
Sandin Carlson
Fehervary Jensen
Alexeev Iorio
You heard it here first. Sandin in the top pair. The D corps needs muscle and Rod Langway. A physical beast RD for the 2nd pair would balance the group out.
Ok signing. Problem is the lack of quality blue liners available in free agency this year. Would like to see them find a third pairing physical dman.
Edit: someone not currently on roster
I agree with most and like this signing. I believe GM have the 4.1m to keep it to 3 years as opposed to something like 3.5 for 4 years. Who knows. And yes, I think Orlov wanted more like 7m for 5 or 6 years. I’m hoping they sign TVR. I like the Iorio call above.
I like this signing too and agree that free agency is not that great. Like everyone, I do hope they get someone next with some push and can fight, if needed. Maybe they don’t find that guy until the offseason though. I also don’t mind if they resign TVR to something with less aav.
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