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Capitals re-sign Nick Jensen to four-year, $10-million deal

By Peter Hassett

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February 22, 2019 5:08 pm

The Caps are very, very busy. After acquiring defenseman Nick Jensen from the Detroit Red Wings earlier on Friday, the Capitals have announced that they have converted the rental into a long-term deal: four years at an average cap hit of $2.5 million.

Jensen, 28, earns $812,500 a year on his current deal, which would have expired this summer in unrestricted status. The Jensen trade and extension gives the team new options for defense this spring and beyond. In June 2018, the Caps signed Michal Kempny to an identical deal.

(Insert round of applause for Brian MacLellan here)

Update, 5:20 PM: Jensen’s deal is somewhat staggered, including two half-million signing bonuses in alternating years.

From the Caps:

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Nick Jensen to a four-year, $10 million contract extension, with an average annual value of $2.5 million, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today

Jensen, 28, a native of Rogers, Minn., recorded 15 points (2g, 13a) in 60 games with the Red Wings this season, which is tied for his highest point total of his career, set last season (15a). The 6’0″, 194-pound defenseman’s 50.43 shot attempt percentage (947 shot attempts for, 931 against) led Detroit defensemen at five-on-five among players with at least 40 games played. Additionally, Jensen’s 2:46 minutes per game on the penalty kill are the most on the Red Wings and his 165:53 total penalty kill minutes rank 21st in the NHL. Additionally, Jensen was on the ice for 42 goals at five-on-five, the second most on the Red Wings this season.

In 190 career games with Detroit, Jensen has collected 43 points (6g, 37a). Jensen was selected with the Red Wings’ fifth round pick (149th overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft.

Prior to the NHL, Jensen appeared in 222 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), recording 61 points (10g, 51a). Additionally, Jensen was a three-year player at St. Cloud State University from 2010 to 2013. In his junior year at the university, Jensen was named to the NCAA (West) First All-American Team and was named the NCAA (WCHA) Defensive Player of the Year.