Capitals Sign Brooks Laich to Long-Term Deal

[thepolishkid88]

ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed center Brooks Laich to a six-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

“We are very pleased to have Brooks Laich continue his career as a Washington Capital,” said McPhee. “Brooks has excelled as one of the League’s finer two-way players and is just entering his prime. His combination of size, speed, versatility and leadership makes him a valuable part of our club.”

Laich, 28, finished fourth on the Capitals in points (48), fifth in goals (16) and third in assists (32) while posting a plus-14 plus/minus rating and collecting 46 penalty minutes. For the third time in his career, he played in all 82 of Washington’s regular-season games and finished second on the Caps with 207 shots on goal. In addition, Laich closed out the 2010-11 campaign fifth on the team in hits (113) and won 51.3 percent of his faceoffs. He scored his 100th career NHL goal on Mar. 15 at Montreal and finished second on the team in points during the playoffs (7) while leading the Caps with six postseason assists in nine games. Laich also finished first amongst Capitals forwards in average shorthanded ice time per game (2:18) and was instrumental in leading the Caps penalty kill unit that ranked second in the NHL during the regular season.

“I’m thrilled to make the commitment to remain a Capital,” said Laich. “It is a wonderful organization with terrific fans and I’m very happy to continue to call Washington home for many years to come.”

The 6’2”, 215-pound center set career-highs in goals (25), assists (34) and points (59) during the 2009-10 season and scored 20 or more goals in three straight seasons from 2007-2010. In 475 career regular-season games, Laich has recorded 237 points (100 goals, 137 assists) and is a plus-14. In 37 career playoff games, he has tallied seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points.

The Wawota, Saskatchewan, native is second among active Capitals players in franchise games played (474), fifth in points (237), third in goals (100) and fifth in assists (137). Laich is 15th amongst his 2001 draft class in points but is one of only three players in the top 15 to be drafted later than the third round.

Laich was a sixth-round draft pick (193rd overall) by Ottawa in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired from Ottawa along with the Senators’ second-round draft pick in 2005 (traded to Colorado) and future considerations for Peter Bondra on Feb. 18, 2004.

[BENNETTWOLF]

Great signing considering from what i read it was almost conceded that he would leave for more money elsewhere. Really good, gritty, two way player that every team needs to win. He can do a bit of everything from setting screens on the PP, killing penalties and helping out in any top nine forward role between his wing and center.

[Orr=God]

huge overpayment....6 years at 4.5 mill per. Laich is a solid 2nd/3rd line guy but just should not be making this kind of money.

[canuckfan]

Laich brings a lot more to the table than just point totals - he was the one guy I was really hoping would still be available come July 1 so the Canucks could take a run at him. He would represent a huge upgrade to anyone's second line, but he's got that extra bit of heart, grit and character that seems to be in such short supply these days when you talk about top 6 forwards.

Good job by the Caps - good guy to have on your team, and I'll bet he could have got more elsewhere had he waited a few more days.

[thepolishkid88]

Will make $6.5 million in year one. I think they overpaid for him but he is a guy I would love on my team.

[Isles4life]

The Caps definitely had to overpay by a lot to keep Laich in the fold. He is a great guy to have on your team, and he was going to have a ton of offers from around the league once he hit free agency. The fact that the Caps were willing to break the bank to keep him indicates just how important a part of their team they feel he is.

[NYR36]

I think its awesome that he resigned. I was sick of reading on other forums how everyones team was going to grab him.