Washington Capitals and Marcus Johansson Avoid Arbitration with Three Year Deal

The Washington Capitals and Marcus Johansson avoided arbitration as they agreed on a three-year 13.75 million-dollar deal on Wednesday. 

Johansson was scheduled to have his arbitration hearing on Wednesday. The new deal is expected to pay him 4.25 million for the 2016-2017 season and then 4.75 million in each of the following two years. 

The 25-year-old forward said, “I think both parties were hoping we could figure it out before we went to the meeting and I think both parties were pretty happy we did. I am really happy we worked it out. I think we are happy to move on and get ready for the season.”

During the 2015-2016 National hockey League Season, Johansson put up 17 goals and 29 assists in 74 games with a plus-12 rating. In 12 Stanley Cup Playoff games last season, he added seven more points. 

The Capitals selected Johansson with the 24^th pick in the 2009 NHL Draft. In 419 games with Washington, he has scored 78 goals and 154 assists. Last summer the Capitals and Johansson went to arbitration to settle their contract dispute. He asked for 4.75 million-dollars, while the Capitals counter offer was three million. The award from the arbitrator was 3.75 million-dollars. 

Johansson added, “I think everyone knows we have a really good team. To be able to keep the team [together] it is hard for everyone. I am just happy that we could figure it out in the end. To be able to be a part of this team for three more years, that is important to me.”

During the 2014 Winter Olympics, in Sochi, Russia, he helped Sweden capture a silver medal. He also represented his country during the 2009 and 2010 World Junior Championships. In 2009, he helped Sweden win silver and served as the captain for the team in 2010.