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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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NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 20: Richard Panik #14 of the Washington Capitals skates during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils on November 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Capitals won 6-3. Devils wore their 1980’s heritage uniforms. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 20: Richard Panik #14 of the Washington Capitals skates during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils on November 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Capitals won 6-3. Devils wore their 1980’s heritage uniforms. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

#1 Richard Panik

I hate to do this to a member of the current roster but Richard Panik makes the list for two reasons, the price tag and the player the Caps lost they were trying to replace him with.

Panik was brought on to fill the void of Andre Burakovsky on the third line. He has moved to the fourth line where he’s since improved but like I said the price tag can be a lot for a fourth liner.

Panik was signed last summer to a four-year, $11 million deal but he has only scored nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 59 games. They were looking for more out of him.

Meanwhile, Andre Burakovsky has enjoyed a resurgence in Colorado as a member of the Avalanche. He’s scored a career-high 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points. What were the Caps thinking in trading him away and replacing him with someone from the Arizona Coyotes? Makes no sense other than salary cap money.

Related Story. Capitals get crushed by Sabres in our NHL 20 simulation. light

Hope you guys enjoyed this look back at some of the worst of the worst when it comes to free agent signings. Thankfully, we’ve signed much better players who wanted to come here and have a strong cast of draft picks and free agents assembled on the current roster.

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