The Washington Capitals have resigned 23-year-old Restricted Free Agent center Evgeny Kuznetsov to a two-year deal worth a total of $6 million.
The Chelyabinsk, Russia native recorded 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points during the 2014-2015 season in which he played in 80 games. In 14 playoff games in 2015, Kuznetsov registered five goals and two assists for seven points.
One of Kuznetsov’s five goals was a Game 7 game-winning goal with 7:18 remaining in the first round versus the New York Islanders. He became the first rookie in Capitals playoff history to score a Game 7 game-winning goal and the sixth rookie in NHL history to score a Game 7 game-winning goal decided by a one-goal margin.
The center also became the second player in franchise history to record his first three playoff points in the same game. He joined Capitals longtime defenseman Sergei Gonchar in that category.
He finished the 2015 playoffs tied for the team lead in goals.
After the Kuznetsov deal, the Capitals are left with just under $10.9 million in cap space with two Restricted Free Agents in Braden Holtby and Marcus Johansson left to sign.