Capitals sign Orpik to one-year deal
The Washington Capitals have signed defensemen Brooks Orpik to a one-year deal. Orpik is a steady veteran defensemen who is loved in the Capitals locker room. Orpik hits hard and is a team leader. Orpik’s deal is for $1 million.
Orpik has been one of the Capitals alternate Captains.
I think this is a great deal for the Capitals. Earlier in the offseason the Capitals traded Orpik to dump some salary to the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche bought out Orpik’s contract which allowed him to be a free agent. More on that deal here.
Here is the press release.
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Brooks Orpik to a one-year contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Orpik’s contract will carry an average annual value of $1 million. In addition, the contract includes $500,000 of potential performance bonuses.
“Brooks has been a valuable player and a great mentor for our young players and we are thrilled to bring him back to our organization,” said MacLellan. “We feel his leadership and competitiveness on and off the ice will be welcomed back to our group.”
Orpik, 37, led the Capitals with 168 blocked shots and ranked second on the team, and first among Washington defensemen, with 218 hits in 2017-18. He recorded 10 points (0g, 10a) in 81 regular-season appearances and five points (1g, 4a) in 24 postseason contests. The 6’3″, 217-pound defenseman has recorded 53 points (3g, 50a) and 830 hits in 279 games with the Capitals.
The San Francisco, Calif., native has registered 185 points (16g, 169a) in 982 career regular-season games and 24 points (3g, 21a) in 149 playoff outings. He’s a two-time Stanley Cup champion, also winning with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, an Olympic silver medalist (Team USA, 2010) and has also won an NCAA national championship (Boston College, 2001). Orpik ranks first among defensemen in Penguins history in games played (703) and was named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year on three occasions (2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12).
