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Capitals April Fools: Top 5 worst free agent signings ever

By Michael Marzzacco

NEWARK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Nylander of the Washington Capitals passes the puck during the game against the New Jersey Devils on September 29, 2008 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - SEPTEMBER 29: Michael Nylander of the Washington Capitals passes the puck during the game against the New Jersey Devils on September 29, 2008 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON – APRIL 15: Michael Nylander #92 of the Washington Capitals skates the puck along the boards against the New York Rangers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 15, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – APRIL 15: Michael Nylander #92 of the Washington Capitals skates the puck along the boards against the New York Rangers during Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on April 15, 2009 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images) /

#5 Michael Nylander

Michael Nylander was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the third round at 59th overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. The Caps knew about his skillset bringing him on board twice during the trade deadline but he really produced during his time in the Big Apple with the New York Rangers.

On a good squad with the ageless Jaromir Jagr, centering a line with him and Martin Straka, a “Czech Connection” was formed. Nylander spent two seasons in New York in 2005-06 and 2006-07, two Ranger teams that made the playoffs. His first season saw him score 23 goals and 56 assists for 79 points. The next season was even better with 26 goals and 57 assists for 83 points.

The Caps signed him in the summer of 2007 to a four-year, $19.5 million dollar contract. That’s a lot of money for a player that only had 50 assists in BOTH of his only two seasons in Washington. He ain’t no Nicklas Backstrom nor Evgeny Kuznetsov folks.

In 2007-08 Nylander scored 11 goals and added 26 assists for 37 points. The next year? Just nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points.

His Capitals tenure ended on January 28, 2010, when he was re-assigned to Finland’s Jokerit Helsinki. He has a son on the Toronto Maple Leafs named William Nylander.

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