Forget about a Carl Hagelin return.
The Capitals signed him Sunday to a four-year, $11-million extension to keep him from becoming an unrestricted free agent July 1. That's an average annual value of $2.75 million, and it'll carry him through the 2022-23 NHL season.
The Penguins traded Hagelin, 30, to the Kings last November for Tanner Pearson, and the Kings traded him to Washington in February for a third-round draft pick. In 20 regular-season games with the Capitals, he had three goals, eight assists and led all forwards in penalty-killing ice time at an average of 2:21 per game.
"We are pleased to have signed Carl to a new four-year contract," Brian MacLellan, the general manager, said in a statement. "Carl is a versatile player who can play on any line and is an excellent penalty-killer. He is a proven winner and provides great leadership to our team."
DK'S ANALYSIS
This surprises me at least a little, as I thought Hagelin might hang on to test the open market, particularly given his very real wish to play again for the Penguins and alongside best friend Patric Hornqvist. But GMs know what they're doing in these signing periods, and they'll make offers they might not otherwise make. The Capitals clearly didn't part with a third-rounder for a rental and, just as clearly, they were happy with what Hagelin brought up front, particularly when short-handed.
The obvious question is this: At Hagelin's age, with his game founded almost entirely on his world-class speed, how long can that stay at an elite level?
To continue reading, log into your account:
