The Washington Capitals announced Tuesday that they have re-signed Alex Alexeyev to a two-year, $1.65 million contract. The 23-year-old defenseman was scheduled to become an RFA on July 1st.

The contract is a one-way deal with an AAV of $825k. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedmann first reported the team was close to a deal on Monday.

BIG AL RE-UPS‼️

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Alex Alexeyev to a two-year, $1.65 million contract. Alexeyev’s one-way contract will pay him $775,000 in 2023-24 and $875,000 in 2024-25.#ALLCAPS

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 2, 2023

Alexeyev made major strides towards a regular NHL role this season, playing 32 games with an injury-depleted Capitals team. He served largely as the Capitals’ seventh defenseman to start the season, but eventually received consistent minutes later in the schedule.

The reluctance to play Alexeyev confused former teammate Dmitry Orlov, who spoke on the decision after he had been dealt to the Boston Bruins,

“I’m glad that they started to let Alexeyev play,” Orlov said. “It took a long time to happen. I was against keeping him in reserve.”

This marks the third contract signed by general manager Brian MacLellan this offseason, following entry-level deals for SHL blueliner Hardy Häman Aktell and 2022 first-round pick Ivan Miroshnichenko.

Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:

Capitals Re-sign Alex Alexeyev

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Alex Alexeyev to a two-year, $1.65 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Alexeyev’s one-way contract will pay him $775,000 in 2023-24 and $875,000 in 2024-25.

Alexeyev, 23, recorded five points (0g, 5a) in 32 games with Washington this season. The 6’4″, 215-pound defenseman ranked tied for fifth on the Capitals in blocked shots per 60 minutes (5.46) and averaged 1:07 of shorthanded ice time per game. Alexeyev also appeared in four games with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he recorded one assist.

The St. Petersburg, Russia native made his NHL debut on Dec. 29, 2021 against the Nashville Predators and recorded 19 points (1g, 18a) in 68 games with Hershey during the 2021-22 season. Alexeyev ranked second among Bears defensemen in penalty minutes (51), tied for second in games played (68) and third in plus/minus (6).

Alexeyev has recorded five points (0g, 5a) in 33 career NHL games with Washington. In 142 AHL games with Hershey, Alexeyev has recorded 50 points (6g, 44a).

The Capitals selected Alexeyev with their first-round pick, 31st overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft.

Headline photo: Alan Dobbins/RMNB