Ryan Leonard guaranteed a life of luxury for his future son’s son after signing an eight-year, $84 million contract extension with the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old forward, the Capitals’ eighth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, scored 20 goals as a rookie during his first full season in the NHL, combining an elite shot with mitts as buttery as the finest southern biscuit.
Naturally, Leonard’s teammates were very happy for him, but they didn’t express those congratulations with a simple back slap or a high five. You know, like most normal humans do. They went bigger.
Waiting for Leonard in the locker room this morning was a green colored practice jersey they had picked out just for him. Then the rest of the team wore red and white during the skate to draw even more attention to their new rich pal.
Ryan Leonard wears green jersey during practice
Not only did the team mess with Leonard’s sweater, but they also got hold of his helmet, too. Players drew dollar signs all over his bucket and then wrote 85,000,000 in white paint pen on the front of his visor. (I guess because they love him so much they gave him an extra milli.)
Even better, the team made Leonard preen like a peacock and take a lap around the ice all by himself. Capitals players banged their sticks against the bench boards in salute before taking the ice together for their final informal skate of the offseason.
Ryan Leonard takes a lap with his special helmet
Capitals alternate captain Tom Wilson appeared to first learn of the prank when Leonard reached the bench, laughing when he saw his fellow winger’s getup.
When Leno was done his lap, he made his way off the ice.
“Hey, what are you doing?” a teammate yelled disapprovingly, noticing an outfit change was pending.
“I can’t see,” Leonard said laughing.
So Leonard grabbed a new bucket from the back — but came back with his green jersey still on.
Now everyone knows just how money Leonard is — in more ways than one.
