The Washington Capitals and 24-year-old winger Brett Connolly have reportedly come to terms on a one-year deal.
Brett Connolly signs a 1 year with Washington for $850,000.
— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) July 1, 2016
After losing 37-year-old depth winger Jason Chimera, who signed a two-year deal with the New York Islanders on Friday, the Caps likely have already found a checking-forward replacement in Connolly. The former sixth overall draft pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2010 had nine goals and 25 points in 71 games with the Boston Bruins last season. He also had 137 hits and 36 blocked shots.
Connolly can play either the left or right wing, and he should help the Caps forward remain deep in their bottom-six forwards. The Campbell River, British Columbia native has put up impressive scoring numbers in the WHL and at the AHL level, though that hasn’t translated that to the NHL. There won’t be much risk on either Connolly or the Caps for the young winger to produce strong offensive numbers, as his $850,000 term for one year is likely more of a “show me” deal.
In five NHL seasons with the Lightning and Bruins, Connolly has 27 goals, 59 points and 102 penalty minutes in 210 games. He reached a career-high in goals (12) in 2014-15, and last season set career marks in assists (16) and points (25).