-The Washington Capitals ensured their best two-way center will remain in the fold for a long time, re-signing Brooks Laich to a six-year, $27 million contract, worth an average cap hit of $4.5 million per season.
Laich, 27, was eligible for unrestricted free agency on July 1st, where his all-round would've attracted numerous suitors keen to bolster their depth at center.
In 82 games last season with the Capitals, Laich scored 16 goals and 48 points, with a plus-minus of +14. Highlighting his versatility is he notched 14 of those points on the power-play, three of them short-handed, with three of his goals being game-winners.
The announcement of the signing however has generated considerable criticism, who feel the Capitals overpaid to retain Laich, whose previous contract paid him an average cap hit of just over $2 million per season.
Perhaps he is now overpaid, but if the Capitals hadn't paid him that salary, another club would've had he hit the open market on Friday...
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