Capitals: Pending Free Agent Digest, Who to sign and who to let walk?

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals looks on during the pre-game skate before a game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals looks on during the pre-game skate before a game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 18: Jonas Siegenthaler #34 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on January 18, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 6-4. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 18: Jonas Siegenthaler #34 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on January 18, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Capitals defeated the Islanders 6-4. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Jonas Siegenthaler – D (age: 22)

2019-2020 NHL Stats: 49 GP, 2G, 7A, +10, 33 PIM

Siegenthaler has shown the reason the Washington Capitals took him in the second round back in the 2015 NHL entry draft. Early in his career there were concerns for a person of his size and lack of speed to keep up with the evolving game the NHL has undergone.

This year he has put that all together and been a pleasant surprise. Although his ability to contribute to the Caps started in the playoffs last year, when he settled in as a replacement for Kempny while he was injured at the end of the season. He picked up right where he left off, and has even begun jumping into the offensive zone more lately.

Look for him to nail down one of the long term defenseman positions. But how much will it cost the team to keep him around and could a bridge deal be an option for the next few years until Jensen finishes out his contract.

Current Contract: $714,166

Projected Cap Hit: $2,250,000 (NHL)