Capitals sign Brett Leason to one-year contract

The deal has an NHL cap hit of $775,000 and a minor-league salary of $250,000. Leason will be placed on waivers for the purpose of sending him down to the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

This is Leason’s second stint with the organization. He signed an entry-level contract with Washington after finishing up his junior career in 2019. He spent three years with the franchise, playing mostly with the Bears, but appeared in 36 games for the Caps during the 2021-22 season. In his first stint with the club, he potted three goals and three assists for six points.

Leason started this season without an NHL contract. He signed a professional tryout with the Minnesota Wild prior to training camp, but eventually was released. Earlier this month, the 26-year-old signed a PTO with the Charlotte Checkers, the Florida Panthers‘ primary affiliate. However, he has yet to play in a game this season.

The team’s latest acquisition comes just a couple of days after Washington forward Dylan Strome suffered a lower-body injury against the Ottawa Senators. The veteran is currently listed as day-to-day. The Capitals also recalled sniper Ethen Frank from Hershey.

Leason has spent the past three years with the Anaheim Ducks. While he was in and out of the lineup, he played in a career-high 68 games during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points. Last year, he potted five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 62 games. He became an unrestricted free agent after the Ducks decided not to extend a qualifying offer.

In 220 NLH games, Leason has potted 25 goals and 29 assists for 54 points. In 116 AHL contests, he has notched 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points.