Capitals Ink McMichael To Two-Year Extension; What Bridge Deal Means For Him & Future In DC

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals took care of their biggest restricted free agent on Monday ahead of the start of free agency, signing Connor McMichael to a two-year extension.

The bridge deal is worth $4.2 million and carries an AAV of $2.1 million, general manager Brian MacLellan announced.

The 6-foot, 180-pound center was the team's only RFA to address on the NHL roster, with Beck Malenstyn having been traded to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.

McMichael is coming off a strong sophomore season with Washington that saw him make the full-time NHL jump after spending the majority of 2022-23 with the AHL's Hershey Bears.

Related: Capitals Draft Weekend Recap: How The Team Fared, All The Moves & What's Next

In 80 games this past season, McMichael picked up 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points. He also took on a bigger role, playing on the top-6 and embracing his role as a full-time center. The 23-year-old also got to play on special teams, getting more and more responsibility on the power play and penalty kill as the year went on.

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McMichael's new contract is a bridge deal that allows Washington to pay a lower cost for the next two years and then re-evaluate for a long-term extension. He still has room to grow and improve at the NHL level, and this contract will motivate him to show more of what he can do and aim for a longer, higher-paying deal next time around.

It also gives the Capitals more flexibility to work with as they plan to remain busy and make more changes to the roster this summer.

With McMichael re-signed, Washington only has to address two more RFAs in Hardy Häman Aktell and Alex Limoges.