The Washington Capitals inked another depth defenseman nearly three hours into free agency.
GM Brian MacLellan signed Erik Gustafsson to a one-year, $800k contract.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a one-year, $800,000 contract. #ALLCAPS | @FTX_Official
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 13, 2022
Gustafsson is an offensive defenseman who once had a 60-point season with the Blackhawks during the 2018-19 campaign. Then he bounced around four teams over three years (Calgary, Philadelphia, Montreal, New York Islanders) before landing back in Chicago.
The 30-year-old Swede was teammates with Trevor van Riemsdyk in 2015-16 with Chicago and could skate on the Capitals’ third pairing with TVR in 2022-23.
Erik Gustafsson has signed one-year, $800K contract with the Washington Capitals. Despite that Gustafsson has his flaws in defense, this sounds as a good deal for Washington for this money. Low risk-high reward. pic.twitter.com/fzGn8LWD3S
— Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) July 13, 2022
Other defense candidates that could make the Capitals roster out of Training Camp include the recently-re-signed Matt Irwin and Lucas Johansen.
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Sign Erik Gustafsson
Defenseman signs a one-year deal with Washington
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a one-year, $800,000 contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Gustafsson, 30, recorded 18 points (3g, 15a) in 59 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22. The 6’0”, 197-pound defenseman ranked third among Chicago defensemen in points, second in power play points (4) and fourth in shots (79). Gustafsson also represented Sweden at the 2022 World Championship, where he recorded seven assists in eight games.
During the 2020-21 season, Gustafsson recorded 12 points (1g, 11a) and 16:43 time on ice per game in 29 games with Philadelphia and Montreal.
The Nynäshamn, Sweden native skated in 214 games with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2015-16 to 2019-20, producing a career-high 60 points (17g, 43a) in 79 games in 2018-19.
Gustafsson, who was signed as a free agent by Chicago on April 30, 2015, has recorded 149 points (32g, 117a) in 309 career NHL games with Chicago, Calgary, Philadelphia and Montreal. In 31 career playoff games, Gustafsson has registered eight points (1g, 7a) and a +3 plus/minus rating.
