The Washington Capitals have announced a pair of contract signings, inking one proven veteran in Matt Bradley and one fresh-faced kid in Karl Alzner.
Bradley, 29, has spent the past three seasons with the Capitals, totaling 18 goals and 32 assists in 208 games. Before arriving in Washington, Bradley played three seasons with the San Jose Sharks and one with the Pittsburgh Penguins, earning a reputation for being a hard working third- or fourth-line winger. And he's lived up to the billing with the Capitals, proving to be a reliable checking winger and occasional penalty-killer. According to the terms of his new contract, Bradley will earn $3 million over the next three years.
Alzner, who won't turn 20 until September, signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Caps, the exact terms of which were not disclosed. He was Washington's No. 1 draft choice (5th overall) in 2007. A native of Burnaby, British Columbia, Alzner spent last season with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. The 6-foor-2, 210-pound defenseman scored seven goals and 36 points in 60 games while finishing a plus-26. His performance earned him the WHL Player of the Year and WHL Defenseman of the Year honors.
Alzner has won two gold medals with Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships. He even served as captain of the 2007-08 squad. The Hockey News named Alzner the top prospect in the Washington organization, and he should be another important building block alongside other young stars like Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green.
