Washington Signs Former Capital Brian Willsie

[Thrillhouse]

ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have signed free agent right wing Brian Willsie to a one-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Willsie, 32, is a former Capital and Hershey Bear who returns to the organization after splitting the past four years between the Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche organizations. A veteran of 380 NHL games since he made his debut in 1999-00, Willsie has totaled 52 goals and 56 assists (108 points) in the NHL. His best season came in 2005-06 with the Capitals when he finished fourth on the team with 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 82 games.

The Belmont, Ontario, native stands 6’1” and weighs 202 pounds. He played four games for Colorado last season while spending most of the year with its American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. Willsie led Lake Erie in goals (26) and was third in points (57) in 75 games. Willsie spent parts of four seasons with Hershey from 1998-2003, when he was originally in the Colorado organization. The Avalanche drafted him in the sixth round, 146th overall, of the 1996 Entry Draft.

[lakingsfan19]

Two-way deal...

Caps have signed veteran free agent winger Brian Willsie to a one-year, two-way contract for 2010-11 season.

http://twitter.com/VogsCaps/status/18544589386

[dtdc2k3]

Why make Washington better when you can work on Hershey. Way to go GMGM.

[DaleHunter32]

guess this is all you can afford when you give guys like jeff schultz 2.75 over 4 years. GMGM you have done NOTHING to improve this team this off season, NOTHING, please kill yourself

[Billy Sherman]

Soft player so he'll fit in on the Caps.

[caps87]

Originally Posted by DaleHunter32

guess this is all you can afford when you give guys like jeff schultz 2.75 over 4 years. GMGM you have done NOTHING to improve this team this off season, NOTHING, please kill yourself

He's actually made us worse.

[caps87]

When I asked McPhee if the Caps were "done" in free agency, he said, "Yes."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/cap...camp.html#more

[caps05]

Originally Posted by caps87

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/cap...camp.html#more

And he continues to ruin this franchise.

[DaleHunter32]

Originally Posted by caps87

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/cap...camp.html#more

you've done enough george, you've done enough

[CapsFan99]

Hey Ted leonsis!

This guy hasn't taken our team anywhere since his first year as General Manager.

If that isn't enough to warrant a firing then you need to get ur head outta ur ass!

[Spaz]

They had 121 points last year. How much do you want them to change? They lost in Round 1 to an over-achieving Montreal team. But, picking up a goon wouldn't have helped in the playoffs. Caps fans should just be glad they don't have the terrible teams they have had in the past. Remember 2006-2007 when they had 70 points? Or, 2003-2004 when they had 59 points?

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by Spaz

They had 121 points last year. How much do you want them to change? They lost in Round 1 to an over-achieving Montreal team. But, picking up a goon wouldn't have helped in the playoffs. Caps fans should just be glad they don't have the terrible teams they have had in the past. Remember 2006-2007 when they had 70 points? Or, 2003-2004 when they had 59 points?

There's still that little matter of playing better defense. GMGM has done nothing to improve the one area that they need help the most. You are not going to run and gun with teams in the postseason, and more often than not, the team that plays the best defense or has the best goaltending usually wins the Cup. The Penguins recognized this, and promptly signed 2 of the best available FA defensemen. Washington has not, and until at least the D is improved, they're going to continue to have problems in the playoffs.

[caps87]

Originally Posted by Spaz

They had 121 points last year. How much do you want them to change? They lost in Round 1 to an over-achieving Montreal team. But, picking up a goon wouldn't have helped in the playoffs. Caps fans should just be glad they don't have the terrible teams they have had in the past. Remember 2006-2007 when they had 70 points? Or, 2003-2004 when they had 59 points?

I want George to do something to make this team a postseason team. The biggest thing would be to improve the defense. Instead he did absolutely nothing. We've made past the first round once since Mcphee was here. I have every right to bitch about it when the GM doesnt do whats necessary to move the team forward.

And yeah I remember those teams. We had guys like Peat, Simon, Verot, and plenty of grit. We were at least fun to watch then.

[BENNETTWOLF]

I'm really hoping for a healthy Willie Mitchell. His combination of leadership and toughness would add a great deal in my opinion.

I do think the caps realize their weak spots, even if they seem bullheaded about it. Maybe they don't want to commit to anything on the backline with so many developing high picks in the pipeline.

Kevin Bieska? He or mitchell would make me real pleased and go a long way towards believing we aren't totally anti-fighting or rebelling against heterosexuality.

we should cut the front office some slack. Moving the franchise wasn't out of the question in the not too distant past. Gotta give due credit. The pre-lockout fire sale turned into a lot of smart trades ans some superb drafting.

[Billy Sherman]

Originally Posted by Spaz

They had 121 points last year. How much do you want them to change?

Enough to win the Stanley Cup.