Report: Capitals Tried To Extend Sheary Earlier This Offseason

The Washington Capitals have work to do this offseason when it comes to new acquisitions, but per reports, they are also taking a look at contract extensions.

Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Washington tried to extend Conor Sheary earlier in the offseason. However, it’s currently unclear where that stands, especially with the team needing to address several areas and dealing with Nicklas Backstrom’s uncertain future. There is cap space to work with when the long-term injured reserve and other factors come into play, but there’s a lot on the team’s to-do list and prices to pay.

Not only that, but the team faces a difficult summer after this one that will see Dmitry Orlov and several other names require new deals.

READ MORE ON WHN: What Route Should The Capitals Take For A No. 1 Goaltender?

Sheary is coming off a standout season in 2021-22 that saw him dish 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 71 games. He also played a key part on special teams and was able to adapt to several situations, while moving up and down the lineup without issue.

“He can do a lot of different things,” John Carlson said of Sheary. “I think he helps a lot on the breakouts and certainly has an eye to finding guys all over the ice… we feel like he’s a really good piece to shake things up and make some stuff happen.”

The 30-year-old is entering the final year of a two-year extension he signed in April 2021. He originally came to D.C. on a one-year contract in 2020-21 after a long waiting game in free agency that had him questioning whether or not he’d get an NHL gig for the upcoming year. He has since become a fundamental part of the Capitals lineup.

Sheary’s current deal carries a cap hit of $1.5 million for 2022-23. However, given his performance — and if he can keep it up — he will be deserving of a pay raise.