Caps sign Mike Green to extension

[ThomasTomasz]

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Capitals didn't wait long to make Mike Green a better offer.

The Capitals signed the defenceman to a $18.25-million, three-year contract on Monday. The move comes a day after Green rejected a $5-million, one-year qualifying offer from Washington and became a restricted free agent.

Green will earn $6 million in 2012-13 and 2013-14 and $6.25 million in 2014-15 after playing just 81 games over the last two injury-plagued seasons.

"It's been a long process," Green said in a conference call. "Negotiations started early in the year then obviously with the setback of the injury we were going to wait. And then wait after the playoffs, then after the draft, then after free agency so it's been pushed back."

The 26-year-old Calgary native has seen his production drop over the last two limited seasons. He played just 32 games in 2011-12 due to a groin injury and had three goals and four assists.

The Capitals are gambling Green can get healthy and return to his previous form, which saw him break the 70-point plateau in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. He has reached double digits in goals three times, including a 31-goal season in 2008-09.

"They know what I'm capable of," Green said. "It was unfortunate the last couple of years that I've suffered through some injuries, but I believe that I'm over them. I think I've got them all out of my system.

"I think that as happy as I am that they're happy and they know I'm committed to the hockey team and doing the right things to be the best that I can. It's a win-win for everybody."

Green has collected 251 points (82 goals, 169 assists) and a plus-62 rating in 398 career NHL games, all with Washington.

He said that he looks forward to rediscovering his offensive game under new head coach Adam Oates.

"What (former coach Dale Hunter) expected was a kind of grinder, chip-in chip-out kind of game," he said. "And I respect him as a coach and played that way and played hard for him.

"But I also at the same time am really excited that Adam is here. From what I heard how he likes to coach fits my style of play ... and hopefully there's a balance between Bruce Boudreau and Dale. And I think Adam's the guy."

Green was originally drafted by Washington in the first round (29th overall) of the 2004 NHL draft.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=400727

So Green gets a raise for not even playing a full plate of games combined in the past two seasons? Stupid decision, and I would have let him walk personally.

 

[Rudi]

Meh.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Meh.

Essentially sums it up.

 

[leaffan]

6mil is crazy good for a dman of his caliber.

Am I reading caps fans actually don't like this deal...

wtf

 

[Boss AZ]

He was injured so now he's teh suckz.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

6mil is crazy good for a dman of his caliber.

Am I reading caps fans actually don't like this deal...

wtf

Dude hasn't even played 82 games combined over the past two seasons. He got a raise over what he made those two seasons. And I've always been someone who defended Green, especially when people were saying he shouldn't win the Norris because he was essentially a fourth forward for the Caps.

Bottom line, it just seems like they are doing to keep someone (Ovechkin) happy, or because they are hoping he is healthy and will produce again. If you view it as "what have you done for me lately?" there should be no reason for this deal. If anything, a one year, $6 million deal, but not three years when he hasn't proved he can stay on the ice.

 

[leaffan]

Dude hasn't even played 82 games combined over the past two seasons. He got a raise over what he made those two seasons. And I've always been someone who defended Green, especially when people were saying he shouldn't win the Norris because he was essentially a fourth forward for the Caps.

Bottom line, it just seems like they are doing to keep someone (Ovechkin) happy, or because they are hoping he is healthy and will produce again. If you view it as "what have you done for me lately?" there should be no reason for this deal. If anything, a one year, $6 million deal, but not three years when he hasn't proved he can stay on the ice.

Greens contract cap hit was thanks to what he's done in the past and what he can be. His term though was thanks to being hurt and the caps covering their butts.

It also has to do with current market value. Green two years ago put up (what I feel anyways) was a better performance then what Karlsson did this year and Karlsson got 6.5 a year at a younger age. You also look at Dennis Wideman getting 5 years at 5.3 and Jason Garrison at 4.6 Greens deal looks pretty good at current market value.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Greens contract cap hit was thanks to what he's done in the past and what he can be. His term though was thanks to being hurt and the caps covering their butts.

It also has to do with current market value. Green two years ago put up (what I feel anyways) was a better performance then what Karlsson did this year and Karlsson got 6.5 a year at a younger age. You also look at Dennis Wideman getting 5 years at 5.3 and Jason Garrison at 4.6 Greens deal looks pretty good at current market value.

I would have preferred having Garrison on this team. Honestly, at those terms, I would have let Green walk and save the cap space for use later. I think he's going to be a burden to this club and he won't live up to the contract.