Caps Re-Sign Trio

The Caps today announced the re-signing of defenseman Steve Eminger, right wing Boyd Gordon, and center Kris Beech. As usual, terms of the deals were not disclosed, though interestingly the team's press release notes that Gordon's deal is a two-year contract.

The most important of these three signings is Eminger, who was third among the team's blueliners in points last year and third overall on the team in ice time. He certainly had his shares of ups and downs throughout the year, and much will be expected of him this season as he matures as an NHL defenseman.

Gordon is a penalty-killing machine who has shown no offensive instincts at the NHL level. Is there room on this team for a specialist? Look for him to split time between Washington and Hershey.

Beech is a wild card, as he could end up centering the second line, the fourth line, a line in Hershey or the NHL unemployment line. It's a make-or-break year for Beech, so if he's got anything to show, now's the time.

I mentioned above that Eminger had his shares of ups and downs throughout the year. Here's my favorite "up" from a Columbus Day tilt with the Blueshirts (complete with Brian Sutherby laying out Jaromir Jagr to start the play):