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Capitals sign Chandler Stephenson to one-year, $1.05 million contract days ahead of arbitration hearing

By Ian Oland

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July 26, 2019 10:45 pm

Chandler Stephenson and the Washington Capitals have come to terms on a new deal less than a week before the depth forward’s August 1 arbitration hearing.

Stephenson has signed a one-year, $1.05 million contract. The news was first reported by Cap Friendly.

The Capitals are now $1.4 million over the $81.5M salary cap ($82.9M) headed into next season after Christian Djoos was awarded a $1.25 million contract earlier in the week. NHL teams are allowed to go up to 10 percent above the salary cap threshold before they have to submit their opening night rosters on October 2.

In July, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan signed three bottom six players including Richard Panik, Garnet Hathaway, and Brendan Leipsic. Both Hathaway and Leipsic are expected to be a part of a re-tooled fourth line along with mainstay Nic Dowd, meaning Stephenson is unlikely to make the team. The Capitals may try to deal Stephenson or another depth player to get under the salary cap ahead of the season.

Stephenson took a step back in his development last season after being a solid role player on the Capitals’ Stanley Cup championship team. The 25-year-old forward struggled to get pucks on net or create any offense at all on the fourth line.

Stephenson will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next season as well. The Capitals now have all their RFAs signed heading into next season and can turn their attention to potential extensions for Nicklas Backstrom and Braden Holtby.

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed left wing Chandler Stephenson to a one-year, $1.05 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

The Saskatoon, Sask., native played in 64 games last season, recording 11 points (5g, 6a). He recorded 112:40 minutes on the penalty kill, ranking third among Capitals forwards.

In the 2017-18 season, the 6’0″, 203-pound forward registered 18 points (6g, 12a) in 67 games. During the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run, Stephenson recorded seven points (2g, 5a) in 24 games. In the series-clinching Game 6 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal, Stephenson recorded a shorthanded goal, marking the first playoff shorthanded goal scored by a rookie in franchise history. Additionally, Stephenson, who also recorded an assist in Game 6 and recorded two assists in the previous Game 5, became the first rookie in franchise history to record two straight multi-point games in the playoffs.

In 144 career games, all with the Capitals, Stephenson has recorded 29 points (11g, 18a). Stephenson was selected by the Capitals in the third round, 77th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft.