Capitals re-up Nick Jensen

The Washington Capitals have been selling recently but this might be a move for their present and their future. After trading Marcus Johansson and Erik Gustafsson, the latter of whom was negotiating and was open to staying here, the Capitals re-signed defenseman Nick Jensen to a three year extension with an average annual value (AAV) of $4.05 million.

The 32 year old veteran has recorded a career high 24 points in 62 games thus far this season with two goals and 22 assists. The six foot one, 199 pound defenseman established career a career high in points for the second consecutive season, surpassing his 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 76 games played in 2021-22.

Jensen’s 24 points rank second among Capitals defensemen with 23 of his 24 points coming at even strength. This season, Jensen leads the Capitals in ice time at 1,300:20 minutes and ranks third on the team in ice time per game at 20:58 minutes. In addition, Jensen ranks second on the team in shorthanded ice time per game at 2:31 and blocked shots with 110.

Jensen is one of three Capitals skaters to appear in all 62 of the teams games, proving his reliability. He has played in 279 of Washington’s 289 games which is 96.5 percent of their games since making his Capitals debut on Feb. 24, 2019 after his trade from the Detroit Red Wings. That’s the most games played on the team in that span. He was acquired two days prior.

The Rogers, Minnesota native led the Capitals in plus minus with a plus 32 and scored a career high five goals during the 2021-22 season. He has increased his point total in each of his four seasons with the Caps.

He was selected by Detroit in the fifth round at 150th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft. In 469 career games with Washington and Detroit, Jensen has recorded 115 points with 15 goals and 100 assists.

Honestly I wasn’t sure if anybody was going to get a contract extension during this sell off but if anybody deserves it, it’s Jensen. He will be big for the present and the future of this team. Unless of course, this is a sign and trade.