Capitals Fill LHD Void, Ink Gustafsson & Reportedly Bring Back Irwin

With Justin Schultz departing for Seattle, the Washington Capitals addressed the void on their blue line and inked two left-handed blueliners to new deals.

Washington signed defenseman Erik Gustafsson to a one-year, $800,000 deal, and the team also re-signed Matt Irwin to a one-year, two-way deal that pays $750,000 at the NHL level and $450,000 at the AHL level.

Gustafsson skated in 59 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22, dishing three goals and 15 points. Among Chicago blueliners last season, he ranked third in points, second in power-play points and fourth in shots. The 30-year-old LHD has has 149 points in 309 career NHL games.

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Meanwhile, the Capitals are also bringing back Irwin. Per PuckPedia, he is returning on a two-way contract. The 34-year-old had a goal and three assists in 17 games with Washington last season but spent the majority of the time as the No. 7 defenseman. Still, he had a great locker room presence and was well-liked by his teammates and the coaching staff.

Through 400 career games, Irwin has 23 goals and 65 assists.