Capitals Sign John Erskine to Two-Year Contract Extension

[BGDDYKWL]

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman John Erskine to a two-year contract extension, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Erskine would have been an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season.

Erskine, 28, is in his seventh NHL season, his third with Washington. The 6’4”, 218-pound native of Kingston, Ontario, has one assist, 11 penalty minutes and a +2 plus/minus rating in five games this season.

Erskine has played 226 career NHL games for the Capitals, New York Islanders and Dallas Stars, with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) and 512 penalty minutes. He had a career-high nine points (two goals, seven assists), 96 penalty minutes and a +1 rating last season as the Capitals won the Southeast Division title. The former Ontario Hockey League defenseman of the year with the London Knights was a second-round choice of the Stars, 39th overall, in the 1998 Entry Draft.

[Isles4life]

Good for Erskine. I was never happy the Islanders let him walk. He's usually solid in his own end, if unspectacular, and he provides some true grit on the blueline. At least the Caps seem to appreciate the type of player he is.

[Churla27]

I loved when John was a Dallas Star. I want him back in Big D!!!

[RetardedChimp]

Good to hear. He has improved as a defenseman a lot.

[Blouin]

worked on his game, got rewarded, good for him

[BGDDYKWL]

$1.25M per.

[skacore]

Awesome news, congrats to him...

Makes you think... the amount of times a heavyweight is scratched can get frustrating but if they manage to get their game where Erskine, Orr, and Parros are at nowadays, I'm sure every coach would love a guy like that, hopefully it becomes a new trend.