Washington Capitals sign Christian Djoos to two-year deal
The Washington Capitals have announced Christian Djoos has signed a two-year deal worth a total of $1.3 million.
After losing Nate Schmidt to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Washington Capitals need some good news. It is coming in the form of restricted free agent defenseman Christian Djoos, who emerged as a top defenseman for the Hershey Bears last season.
"Djoos, 22, registered 58 points (13g, 45a) in 66 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) last season, recording career highs in points, goals, assists and games played. The 6’0”, 164-pound defenseman ranked tied for first among AHL defensemen in assists in 2016-17 and ranked third in points. In addition, Djoos ranked second among Bears skaters in assists, third in points and tied for seventh in goals last season."
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His contract is a two-way contract during the 2017-18 NHL season, and turns into a one-way contract for the 2018-19 season. With the departure of Schmidt, it’s likely Djoos will get a shot at making the Capitals roster out of training camp.
Expect to see him start out in a third pairing role, ideally. However, Washington might not have too much of a choice. If that’s the case, it’s worth noting Djoos handled a first to second pairing role with the Bears quite nicely during the 2016-17 season. On a team with numerous veterans, he emerged as a leader. That’s quite telling.
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Keeping Djoos is important for the Capitals because they’ll need cheap value contracts with how the salary cap is set up. The seventh round pick could wind up being an everyday guy for Washington.