Jojo Doria

Arlington, VA

Defenseman Mike Green reached a $18.25 million agreement to stay with the Washington Capitals for three more years, team vice president and general manager George McPhee announced.

"Mike is one of the best young defensemen in the National Hockey League and is just entering his prime," McPhee said. "He will continue to be a key part of our team moving forward."

McPhee said Green, a restricted free agent, will earn $6 million in 2012-13 and 2013-14, and $6.25 million in 2014-15. Green, 26, earned $5 million in each of the past three seasons.

Injuries caused Green to miss much of the past two seasons. He posted a career-high 76 points (19 goals, 57 assists) in 2009-10 but saw action in just 49 games in 2010-11 because of concussion and groin injury.

Last season, he tallied seven points (three goals, four assists) and was a plus-5 in 32 games. He was sidelined at first by a lingering groin issue and later underwent abdominal surgery in January.

Green has collected 251 points (82 goals, 169 assists) and a plus-62 rating in 398 career NHL games, all with Washington.

He is one of just two active defensemen, together with Erik Karlsson, in the league to have registered a 70-point season and is the only active defenseman to have recorded two seasons of 70 points or more.

Since the 2007-08 season, Green ranks fourth among NHL blueliners in points (236), second in goals (79) and his 0.77 points per game lead the league.

The 6-1, 207-pound defenseman is a two-time member of the NHL First All-Star Team and is a two-time Norris Trophy runner up. He was named to his first NHL All-Star Game in 2010-11.

He was a finalist in back-to-back years (2010 and 2011) for the NHL Foundation Player Award, which is given to the player who applies the core values of hockey - commitment, perseverance and teamwork - to enrich the lives of people in his community.

Green was originally drafted by Washington in the first round (29th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He won a Calder Cup championship with Hershey of the American Hockey League in 2006 and helped the team reach the finals the following year.

 

Capitals Extend Defenseman Mike Green for Three More Years