At 12:30 PM, the Washington Capitals announced the re-signing of forward Brett Connolly to a two-year, $3 million deal. Connolly’s cap hit for the next two seasons is $1.5 million. The deal was originally reported by Bob McKenzie on June 26.
Last year, Connolly scored a career-high 15 goals in the regular season while skating on the team’s third line. Connolly was benched in the playoffs, however, going point-less and goal-less in seven games. Head coach Barry Trotz opted to ice seven defensemen for much of the Penguins series, which the Caps ultimately lost in seven games.
Connolly was originally the sixth overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft but has struggled to hold down a regular spot in a NHL lineup for most of his career. During the 2014-15 season, Connolly realized some of his vast potential, scoring 12 goals in 50 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. After two seasons with mixed results in Boston, the Bruins let Connolly go, which allowed Connolly land in DC. The deal with the Capitals is Connolly’s largest (AAV) since inking his entry-level contract with the Bolts in 2011.
OFFICIAL! @bconnolly8 is coming back to Washington! 2️⃣ more years for Number 🔟!
Full details: https://t.co/FDE1k7AdDS #RockTheRed #Caps pic.twitter.com/EQaMKQYL2T— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 1, 2017
More from the Capitals:
The Washington Capitals have re-signed left wing Brett Connolly to a two-year, $3 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Connolly, 25, registered 23 points (15g, 8a) in 66 games with the Capitals during the 2016-17 season, posting career highs in goals and plus/minus (+20). The 6’3”, 194-pound left wing scored 15 goals on 81 shots last season, ranking eighth in the NHL in shooting percentage (18.5%). In addition, Connolly tied his career long with a six-game point streak (2/1-2/11: 4g, 4a) and Washington posted a 16-1-2 record in 2016-17 in games when Connolly recorded a point. He was drafted by Tampa Bay in the first round, sixth overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft and has earned 82 points (42 goals, 40 assists) in 276 career NHL games with Tampa Bay, Boston and Washington.
The Campbell River, B.C., native has represented Canada at two World Junior Championships (2011, 2012), the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the 2008 World U18 Championship. Connolly won a gold medal with Canada at the 2009 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, a silver medal at the 2011 World Junior Championship and a bronze medal at the 2012 World Junior Championship.
.@bconnolly8! #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/WqZGP6iG9J
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 1, 2017
Headline photo: Amanda Bowen
