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Former Capital Matt Hendricks signs one-year, $700,000 deal with Winnipeg Jets

By Ian Oland

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August 26, 2017 9:25 pm

During the fall of 2010, Matt Hendricks, a heart-and-soul journeyman forward, received an invite to Capitals training camp with no guarantee he’d make the team.

Hendricks, however, beat out Bears prospects Jay Beagle and Andrew Gordon for a roster spot and earned a one-year contract as a checking-line forward. Since then, Hendricks has played seven consecutive seasons and 461 games in the NHL and Saturday, the 36-year-old, former captain of the United States national team inked a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Jets, reuniting with former Capital Mathieu Perreault.

Hendricks’ deal is worth $700,000 – $50k higher than the league minimum. Hendricks just completed a four-year, $7.4 million deal that he originally signed with the Nashville Predators. Elliotte Friedman and Darren Dreger were the first to report the impending signing.

In two tweets at 8PM, the Winnipeg Jets officially announced the contract and welcomed Hendricks to the ‘Peg.

Hendricks commented on the deal several minutes later.

Hendricks, a rugged player who leads from example in the bottom six, is primarily a face-off and penalty-kill specialist. He also, when given the opportunity, has some lights-out moves in the shootout. Just ask Tim Thomas.

More from the Jets:

The Winnipeg Jets announced they have agreed to terms with forward Matt Hendricks on a one-year contract with an average annual value of $700,000.

Hendricks, 36, spent the last four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers. The product of Blaine, MN had seven points (4G, 3A) in 42 games with the Oilers and for the second straight season Hendricks led the Oilers in the faceoff dot as he won 132-of-232 draws (56.9%). Hendricks has also been a staple on the penalty kill as he is among the top-25 NHL forwards in shorthanded time-on-ice over the last five seasons. Hendricks has played 521 games between Colorado, Washington, Nashville, and Edmonton and has totaled 100 points (49G, 51A), 664 penalty minutes and a career faceoff percentage of 53.9%.

Hendricks was drafted by the Predators in the fifth round (131st overall) in the 2000 NHL Draft.