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Washington Capitals Not Re-signing Mike Green

By Diana Driscoll |

The Washington Capitals’ Mike Green era has come to an end. Well, not exactly but it will (99.9999 percent certain on this fact) come to an end after July 1st when the 29-year-old defenseman becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Green was drafted 29th overall in 2004 by the Capitals and has been a staple in the team’s backend since 2006. He is an offensively minded defenseman who really emerged in the 2007-08 season when he tallied 18 goals and 38 assists in 82 games. He was a two-time Norris Trophy finalist and played a key role on the Capitals dangerous power play over the years.

Offensively, Green is one of the better defensemen. He knows how to keep the opposition on its toes and create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Defensively—well that’s where he could step up his game.

Don’t get me wrong, he is a very good defenseman, but he played on the third line this season. Yes, a lot of that has to do with the other defensemen on the Capitals’ roster but I didn’t expect to see him on the third pairing—at least not for four or five more years. He’s not even 30 yet! Don’t tell me he peaked; I won’t believe it.

Green took on a reduced role, decreasing his total ice time average to 19:06 per game (that is the lowest since his rookie campaign). He played less, was replaced on the top power play unit and still carried a $6.083 million cap hit. That’s a lot of money to pay a player you didn’t get as much out of as you have in the past, especially since he was relatively healthy this year (playing In 72 games).

Washington cannot afford to “waste” that type of money moving forward. It already has a lot locked up in defensemen Brooks Orpik, John Carlson, Karl Alzner and Matt Niskanen—all of whom seem to be staying put. Plus, Washington has to sign restricted free agents Braden Holtby, Marcus Johansson, Evgeny Kuznetsov, These guys along with UFA Jay Beagle are top priority for GM Brian MacLellan. All of this equals to Green hanging up his Capitals’ uniform.

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In my opinion, I don’t think the Capitals need him anymore. Of course, he is going to be an asset to any team (if he stays healthy, which is a big issue for him), but Washington seems set in the backend. Carlson is continuing to improve and impress, as well as take on a larger role, and it has veterans Orpik and Niskanen to hold things done. There has been a clear shift in the Capitals roster and I just don’t see Green fitting there anymore.

If for some strange reason, the Capitals did offer Green a contract, it would come with a significant pay cut—like a $3 million reduction. Although we sometimes wish our favorite players, who swear loyalty to their team, would take a pay cut they never do. Why should they?

Green is going to be a hot commodity; good defensemen are hard to come by. Usually teams always try and keep the good defensemen under lock and key for as long as possible. So, when one becomes available he gets courted left and right. This is what Green is going to experience.

Both, the Capitals and Green, are better off shaking hands and parting ways. A lot of teams in this League can use Green’s experience and skills in the backend; he will end up doing just fine for himself—just not in D.C.

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