The Washington Capitals re-signed Spencer Smallman to a two-year, two-way contract extension on Tuesday. The deal is worth $775,000, the league minimum, at the NHL level and $380,000 in Hershey.
After playing for seven different teams professionally over the last eight seasons, Smallman has found a home in Hershey, posting 33 points (9g, 24a) in 55 games. The 28-year-old pivot has already notched single-season career highs in assists and points with the Bears and sits second and seventh on the team, respectively, in the categories.
Smallman, who is currently centering Hershey’s first line with Mike Sgarbossa out due to injury, has played up and down the team’s lineup throughout the season, seemingly fitting in wherever he’s been placed with his gritty, hard-working style of hockey.
The contract extension comes after general manager Chris Patrick re-signed several pending UFAs at the NHL level, including Jakob Chychrun, Dylan McIlrath, Logan Thompson, and Charlie Lindgren, and brought in three college prospects on Monday, including Ryan Leonard, Ryan Chesley, and David Gucciardi.
Smallman, a fifth-round pick from the 2015 NHL Draft, previously played in the Colorado Avalanche and Carolina Hurricanes organizations. His extension comes as the Bears were the first AHL team to clinch a 2025 playoff spot and are attempting to three-peat as champions.
Here’s the full press release from the Washington Capitals:
Capitals Re-sign Spencer Smallman
Forward has recorded 33 points in 54 games with Hershey this season
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Spencer Smallman to a two-year, two-way contract, senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. Smallman’s contract will carry an average annual value of $775,000 at the NHL level and $380,000 in AHL.
Smallman, 28, has recorded 33 points (9g, 24a) in 55 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season. Smallman, who is in his first season with Hershey, ranks tied for second on the Bears in assists and seventh in points. Smallman’s 29 assists and 33 points are both single-season AHL career highs.
The 6’1”, 202-pound forward recorded 21 points (12g, 9a) in 53 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) in 2023-24. Smallman’s 16.9 shooting percentage (12 goals on 71 shots) ranked second on Colorado, while his 53 penalty minutes ranked sixth.
Smallman appeared in 61 regular-season games with Colorado during the 2022-23 season, recording 26 points (13g, 13a). His 13 goals ranked fourth on the Eagles and marked an AHL single-season career high.
During the 2021-22 season, Smallman recorded 27 points (10g, 17a) in 65 regular-season games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) and added six points (2g, 4a) in 18 playoff games to help the Wolves win the 2022 Calder Cup.
Originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fifth round (138th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Smallman has recorded 128 points (47g, 81a) in 299 career AHL games with Hershey, Colorado, Chicago and the Charlotte Checkers. In addition, Smallman has registered seven points (3g, 4a) in 26 career Calder Cup Playoff games.
