SB Nation DC - Brooks Laich, Washington Capitals Agree To Six-Year Contract Extensionhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-06-29T06:30:30-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20123262011-06-29T06:30:30-04:002011-06-29T06:30:30-04:00Brooks Laich Re-Signs With Washington Capitals, Hopes To Lead Team To Unparalleled Success
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<p>Brooks Laich came to Washington in exchange for Peter Bondra, but what the Caps did not realize is that by trading away one of their franchise's most iconic faces, they would eventually get one back in return.</p> <p>BALLSTON, VA - In 2004, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> were in the midst of a fire sale. The team's attempt to win with a roster full of high-priced talent had failed and the Caps decided to move in a different direction by trading away their stars, including Jaromir Jagr and <span>Robert Lang</span>. That February, Washington traded away Peter Bondra, one of the franchise's most recognizable faces, to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a> in exchange for a faceless player along with a draft pick and future considerations. That faceless player was a rookie named <span>Brooks Laich</span>.</p>
<p>When Laich entered Verizon Center - then known as MCI Center - for the first time, he met general manager George McPhee, who shook Laich's hand and told him that he hoped he would be there for the next 15 years. Laich has a long way to go to reach those 15 years, having only been with the Caps for six. But on Tuesday, he got closer to that mark when he agreed on a six-year contract extension with Washington that will pay him $27 million through 2017.</p>
<p>"When I was leaving D.C. [this year], George was asking if I want to return and I said, 'George, I never forgot that comment you told me my first day in D.C.,'" Laich said. 'I want to be back.' To make a comment like that, it makes somebody feel a real sense of loyalty. I never forgot that comment."</p>
<p>With Laich's extension came a collective sigh of relief from many in the Capitals fan base, which was afraid that the team would lose one of its hardest-working and versatile players. Laich has missed just four games in the last four seasons and has scored 85 goals in that span. He logs significant minutes on both the power play and the penalty kill, and has spent most of his recent time as a winger despite center being his natural position. All of this played into several media outlets pegging Laich as one of the top free agent forwards when free agency began Friday.</p>
<p>But for Laich and McPhee, having the former stay in Washington was never a question.</p>
<p>"There was never a serious consideration to go anywhere else," Laich said. "My main goal was to get back with Washington. All along I didn't pay any attention to that buzz of going to this team or going to that team because I knew it wasn't happening. I knew all along that Washington wanted me back, and I knew I wanted to be back. It was just a matter of figuring out the details."</p>
<p>"We certainly always wanted him back," McPhee said, acknowledging that it is hard to find players with enormous character such as Laich's. "We had a great conversation at the end of the season. Obviously, he told us that he wanted to come back, but you never know in negotiation how it's going to go. Once we got our head around the term and the salary and everything else and got to that sweet spot, it was done. You realize that this a guy that we'd like to have and this is the right number, let's do it."</p>
<p>Despite the Caps' recent string of poor playoff performances - including a four-game sweep at the hands of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> in May - Laich admitted that he would not have re-signed if he did not feel that the Caps were moving in the right direction. Most of Washington's biggest stars, such as <span>Alex Ovechkin</span>, <span>Nicklas Backstrom</span>, <span>Alexander Semin</span> and <span>Mike Green</span>, are still young compared to those on other perennial Stanley Cup contenders and the idea of several opportunities to win championships was too good to pass up.</p>
<p>"If you look at some of the other teams that are Cup contenders, if you look at San Jose, if you look at Detroit, their best players are already late in their 20s, early 30s," Laich said. "If you look at our team, the core of our team and our best, most talented players are still young and still getting better. The main core of the team is very young and if you can keep that together, you're looking at having a chance to win a championship for potentially the next 10 years rather than just a window of two or three years. That was a great motivator to get me re-signed."</p>
<p>With that in mind, the Caps still have yet to get past the second round during Laich's tenure. Laich has never been one to mince words and he knows that things must change within the locker room if the Caps are going to finally be taken seriously as Cup threats.</p>
<p>"This year I think there's got to be a lot more accountability amongst our players to each other and to the coaches," Laich said. "It's up to every single player. It doesn't matter how much you make or how long you've been here or what your name is, to practice as hard as they can, to practice as a team, to work as a team."</p>
<p>The addition of former Stanley Cup champion <span>Troy Brouwer</span> during Friday's first round of the 2011 NHL Draft will only help, but the Caps have shown faith in Laich with his new contract and the time is now for him to step up and continue to lead them to unprecedented glory.</p>
<p>"The regular season success has been great, but now it's time to take it to the next level, which is the postseason," Laich said. "And you have to learn that it takes time for young players, young teams to learn how to win at that time. And that's obviously the next level for us."</p>
<p>Laich may have come to the Caps in exchange for one of the franchise's faces, but now he has officially become one.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/6/29/2249410/brooks-laich-washington-capitals-2011-nhl-free-agencyAdam Vingan2011-06-28T17:56:25-04:002011-06-28T17:56:25-04:00George McPhee Speaks Abouts Brooks Laich, Free Agency, Injury Updates
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<p>In a brief press conference at Kettler Capitals Iceplex Tuesday, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> General Manager George McPhee was pleased to have <span>Brooks Laich</span>, who signed a six-year contract extension Tuesday, back in the fold.</p>
<p>"We certainly always wanted him back," McPhee said. "We had a great conversation at the end of the season. Obviously, he told us that he wanted to come back, but you never know in negotiation how it's going to go. Once we got our head around the term and the salary and everything else and got to that sweet spot, it was done. You realize that this a guy that we'd like to have and this is the right number, let's do it."</p>
<p>McPhee mentioned that he sees Laich playing more at the center position next season than in years past and wants to use his versatility to the Caps' advantage. But McPhee shot down any notion that a possible move for Laich to center meant that unrestricted free agent center <span>Jason Arnott</span> would not return.</p>
<p>Speaking of free agents, McPhee was also mum on the status of negotiations between the team and restricted free agents <span>Karl Alzner</span>, <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> and newly-acquired <span>Troy Brouwer</span>.</p>
<p>"We've negotiated and I don't know anymore than you do at this point whether it will happen or not," McPhee said in regards to re-signing Varlamov. "We certainly like the goalies we have, but who gets No. 1 is up to them. We don't make that decision, they do by the way they play. The opportunities are there. It's either the three that we have or the two that we have."</p>
<p>What McPhee did provide updates on were the respective injury statuses of <span>Eric Fehr</span>, <span>Tom Poti</span> and <span>Dennis Wideman</span>. McPhee said that Fehr will be ready for training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery in May. McPhee saw Wideman last week and that he has "100 percent" flexibility now, but continues to rehab from a leg hematoma suffered against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a> in March that sidelined him for the rest of the season. Meanwhile, McPhee said that he hasn't heard anything from Poti, who suffered from a groin injury and missed most of last season, but still believes that he is fighting for his career.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/6/28/2249157/washington-capitals-george-mcphee-brooks-laich-semyon-varlamov-2011-nhl-free-agencyAdam Vingan2011-06-28T16:58:19-04:002011-06-28T16:58:19-04:00Brooks Laich Says There Was 'Never A Serious Consideration' To Leave Washington Capitals
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<p><span>Brooks Laich</span> gave a conference call to reporters after signing a new six-year, $27 million contract with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> earlier Tuesday morning. Laich said he never wanted to leave Washington and actually had a verbal agreement in place prior to last Friday's NHL Draft.</p>
<p>Here is a transcript of his remarks. You can listen to the whole call <a href="http://washington.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fcbswashington.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F06-28-11-brooks-laich-conference-call.mp3&podcast_name=Brooks+Laich+Media+Conference+Call&podcast_artist=Brooks+Laich&station_id=114&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.WASHINGTON">here</a>.</p>
<p><b>On how the new deal was signed.</b></p>
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<p>There was never a serious consideration to go anywhere else. When the season ended, I took some time off and got away from hockey for a little bit, and after that, I started talking to my family and my agent, and we started looking at our options. I talked with a few people in the organization, and after a few conversations with them, it was very evident that I wanted to return.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>I gave my agent specific instructions that my main goal was to get back with Washington. That was the only consideration I really ever had, and the rest was up to him and Washington.</p>
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<p><b>On why he stayed in D.C. over other Stanley Cup contenders</b></p>
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<p><b></b>If you look at some of the other cup contenders, if you look at San Jose, if you look at Detroit, some of these other teams, their best players are already late in their 20s-early 30s. The core of our team and our most talented players is still young and still getting better.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>On the need for the Capitals to stay patient</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>There were people talking about how if Boston lost in the first round, there would be big changes and stuff like that. It just goes to show patience is a virtue and patience wins out. It's a hard trophy to win, the Stanley Cup. Only one team can win, and that means 29 other teams are disappointed and questioning, 'Should we make changes here or there.' You just hope that eventually, your year is going to come around. For our guys, hopefully our year is close, and hopefully it's more than one year.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>On whether he ever seriously considered signing elsewhere</b></p>
<blockquote>
<p>[Washington and I] had a verbal agreement and everything intact before the NHL Draft. The draft was kind of my deadline. I wanted to get a deal done before the draft. I had no intention of going until July 1 or trying to push Washington right to the very edge. I just wanted to get a good fair deal, and I wanted to get it done before the draft, just so I knew I would be returning to Washington. At the draft, anything can happen.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>I didn't want Washington to go to the draft with the feeling that, 'He's looking to test the market, he's probably not coming back, so we need to make a move to cover up the loss of him.' If that happened, I'd be pushed out the door and forced to go to free agency.</p>
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<p><b>On what changes the team needs to make to have more playoff success</b></p>
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<p><b></b>This year, there's got to be a lot more accountability from our players, to ourselves and to the coaches. Our coaching staff does a great job setting out the game plan, and it's up to every single player to adhere to that game plan. It's up to every single player -- doesn't matter how much you make, how long you've been here or what your name is -- to practice as hard as they can, to practice as a team, to work as a team. There's a lot of things where, sometimes when you're tested, things start to fray, little things like that. When you're tested, you have to be so tight, you have to rely on each other so much.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>This year, we have to hold each other accountable a lot more. If we see a teammate not doing something that we want as a group that will lead to group success, we have to reign them in and hold everyone accountable.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>On new Washington Capital <span>Troy Brouwer</span></b></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b></b>I think he's going to fit in so well with us. He's a young guy that comes in with energy. He's a physical guy. He can score, he can hit, he can block shots, power play, penalty kill. I think Troy is just what you call a 'player.'</p>
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https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/6/28/2249026/brooks-laich-sign-washington-capitals-nhl-free-agencyMike Prada2011-06-28T16:46:24-04:002011-06-28T16:46:24-04:00Brooks Laich Says Capitals Need To Hold Each Other More Accountable
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<p><span>Brooks Laich</span> used the dreaded "A" word <a href="http://washington.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fcbswashington.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F06-28-11-brooks-laich-conference-call.mp3&podcast_name=Brooks+Laich+Media+Conference+Call&podcast_artist=Brooks+Laich&station_id=114&audio_link=true&config_file=config.xml&dcid=CBS.WASHINGTON">on his media conference call</a> announcing his re-signing with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> many, many times. Here's the line that jumps out at me.</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p>This year, there's got to be a lot more accountability from our players, to ourselves and to the coaches. Our coaching staff does a great job setting out the game plan, and it's up to every single player to adhere to that game plan. It's up to every single player -- doesn't matter how much you make, how long you've been here or what your name is -- to practice as hard as they can, to practice as a team, to work as a team. There's a lot of things where, sometimes when you're tested, things start to fray, little things like that. When you're tested, you have to be so tight, you have to rely on each other so much.</p>↵</blockquote>↵<p>He then said the Capitals did that well after their eight-game losing streak in December before returning to the point again.</p>↵<blockquote>↵<p>This year, we have to hold each other accountable a lot more. If we see a teammate not doing something that we want as a group that will lead to group success, we have to reign them in and hold everyone accountable.</p>↵</blockquote>↵<p>This, of course, begs the question: <i>just who might Brooks Laich be talking about, if anyone?</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/6/28/2249066/brooks-laich-washington-capitals-re-signed-accountableMike Prada2011-06-28T15:08:16-04:002011-06-28T15:08:16-04:00Capitals GM George McPhee Says Signing Brooks Laich A Sign That Team Should Be Kept Together
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<p>Washington Capitals GM George McPhee<a href="http://washington.cbslocal.com/audio-on-demand/the-mike-wise-show-with-holden-kushner/#" target="new"> went on "The Mike Wise Show With Holden Kushner"</a> Tuesday afternoon to discuss, among other things, <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2011-06-28/capitals-sign-brooks-laich-to-six-year-27-million-deal" target="new">the six-year, $27 million contract Brooks Laich just inked</a> to stay with the Caps. McPhee had this to say about the deal:</p>
<blockquote>He's been a very valuable player for us. There's no doubt about that, and, you know, you look at what this team has done the last four years - we've been a heck of a team. We haven't won our cup yet, but we've been a heck of a team. Winning division titles, conference titles, presidents' trophies, and he's been a big part of that, and I'm doing my darndest to keep this team together.</blockquote>
<p>McPhee obviously thinks very highly of Laich. Here's what he said about the forward:</p>
<blockquote>Brooks has certainly got base assets that we really like, in terms of size and speed, but he's worked really hard to become a valuable player. He's become our best penalty killer.</blockquote>
<blockquote>The versatility is there, the integrity's there, the character's there. He's a tremendously fit athlete, so everything that we want is there. He's committed, he wants to be a player, he wants to win.</blockquote>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/6/28/2248842/brooks-laich-signs-washington-capitals-george-mcphee-nhl-free-agencyDanny Fersh2011-06-28T12:11:39-04:002011-06-28T12:11:39-04:00Brooks Laich Re-Signs With Washington Capitals, Receives Limited No-Trade Clause
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<p><a href="http://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/6/28/2248285/brooks-laich-washington-capitals-2011-nhl-free-agency">Brooks Laich has re-signed with the Washington Capitals </a>for six years and $27 million, which is an average of $4.5 million per season. That may seem like a lot of money, but he likely would have received even more had he hit the open market. So why did he decide to stay in D.C.?</p>
<p>Perhaps one reason was that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a> gave him a limited no-trade clause, <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2011-06-28/capitals-sign-brooks-laich-to-six-year-27-million-deal">according to Craig Custance of AOL/Sporting News</a>. That no-trade clause will be for the first four years of his contract and will help prevent him from being dealt elsewhere. Capitals general manager George McPhee is traditionally reluctant to hand out no-trade clauses, which should tell you how the Capitals feel about Laich.</p>
<p>In other words, it looks like Capitals fans can indeed count on Laich playing in Washington D.C. for a very long time. The Capitals, in signing him the way they did, made it very difficult to deal him.</p>
<p><i>For more on Laich's signing, check out <a href="http://www.japersrink.com/">Japers' Rink</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/6/28/2248486/brooks-laich-contract-washington-capitals-nhl-free-agentMike Prada2011-06-28T11:44:39-04:002011-06-28T11:44:39-04:00Ted Leonsis Is Pretty Pumped To Have Brooks Laich Back
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<p>On the heels of <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capitals-insider/post/brooks-laich-signs-six-year-contract-extension-with-washington-capitals/2011/06/28/AGCht6oH_blog.html">re-signing forward Brooks Laich to a six-year extension</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a> owner Ted Leonsis<a href="http://www.tedstake.com/"> took to his blog</a> and posted some serious positive vibes about his team’s newest long-term investment.</p>
<p>The man upstairs had this to say about Laich, whom the Capitals first acquired by trading the former face of their franchise, Peter Bondra.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>He is a talented multi-purpose player with high integrity and a great motor. He loves our city and our fan base. I am grateful that he has shown his belief in our team and that he is dedicated to doing whatever possible to help us achieve all of our collective aspirations.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>At $27 million, it’s good that Leonsis is happy with his investment. Shoring up Laich’s future with the team is hopefully a positive step toward the Caps’ first Stanley Cup title.</p>
<p>Hopefully, everyone will be as happy with this contract six years from now as they are today.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-capitals/2011/6/28/2248484/ted-leonsis-is-pretty-pumped-to-have-brooks-laich-backDanny Fersh2011-06-28T10:20:12-04:002011-06-28T10:20:12-04:00Brooks Laich, Washington Capitals Agree To Six-Year Contract Extension
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> and forward <span>Brooks Laich</span> have agreed to a six-year contract extension. <a href="http://capitals.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=567512">Per Mike Vogel</a>, the contract will be worth $27 million.</p>
<p>Laich scored 16 goals and added 32 assists in 82 games for the Caps last season. Since being acquired from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a> in 2004 along with a draft pick and future considerations in exchange for Peter Bondra, Laich has 100 goals and 137 assists in 475 regular season games. Laich has played in all 82 games for the Caps in three of the last four seasons.</p>
<p>Laich's future with the Caps seemed murky at best. A relatively weak free agent propelled Laich to the top of the class along with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Dallas Stars</a>' <span>Brad Richards</span> and he had been mum in recent weeks. Yet, Laich never intended to test the market:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It wasn't very stressful at all," says Laich of the negotiating process. "Washington was easily my first choice. I gave my agent instructions that I fully intended to return to Washington and that was my only choice. I wasn't looking to test the market."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Laich's return now gives the Caps eight remaining "regulars" to negotiate with. Monday, the Caps extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents <span>Karl Alzner</span>, <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> and newly-acquired <span>Troy Brouwer</span>.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/6/28/2337147/brooks-laich-washington-capitals-agree-to-six-year-contract-extensionAdam Vingan