On Monday, TSN’s Darren Dreger said that unrestricted free agent Justin Williams would meet with the Capitals later in the week to talk about an extension. Dreger framed Williams’ chances of returning to the team as 50/50.
Two days later, Williams, while golfing at the Quicken Loans Pro-Am at TPC Potomac, revealed that the Capitals and he “haven’t had very in-depth discussions.”
Justin Williams and John Carlson getting ready for their pro-am round at Quicken Loans #Caps pic.twitter.com/Nl17gb6Jyu
— Jill Sorenson (@JillCSN) June 28, 2017
Justin Williams says free agency is humbling process, teams vying for services, but hasn't had very in-depth conversations w/ #Caps yet pic.twitter.com/r0XVTXx5MA
— Jill Sorenson (@JillCSN) June 28, 2017
“I really can’t give a number on what percentage I’m here staying, what percentage I’m leaving,” Williams said to CSN Mid-Atlantic’s Jill Sorenson. “I’m not sure. We haven’t had very in-depth discussions with Washington so far, so we’ll see.”
Williams has supposedly met with the Capitals multiple times in the offseason already and has professed a desire to stay. The three-time Stanley Cup champion scored 24 goals last season — the most tallies he’s netted since 2006-07 — and will be one of the top unrestricted free agents on the market. GM Brian MacLellan stated during the offseason that the Capitals would likely only bring back one of their top four UFAs and TJ Oshie signed an eight-year extension last Friday.
Unless the Capitals get creative, there just may not be room under the salary cap to keep the veteran forward in the fold.
Caps: want to play for $1?
Justin: No
Caps: how about now?
Justin: …….. https://t.co/HMlLP2sQXT— Pat Holden (@pfholden) June 28, 2017
Williams also told Sorenson that his status “will be all clear in the next few days.”
P.S. – He appears to be a fantastic golf player too.
Decent swing from Williams, wow. pic.twitter.com/aBV0MdBPN0
— Jill Sorenson (@JillCSN) June 28, 2017
