The Washington Capitals re-signed 21-year-old Ryan Leonard to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension on Tuesday, a deal that carries a $10.5 million average annual value and runs through the 2034-35 season. The Capitals completed the extension in the final days before a new CBA took effect, one of the last opportunities to lock in returning players to eight-year deals. General manager Chris Patrick said the club is "extremely excited" and called Leonard a "young and talented player" with "tremendous potential" who is years away from his prime. Leonard, the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is coming off a rookie season with 20 goals and 25 assists for 45 points in 75 games, including a team-leading 10 goals and 15 points over the final 20 games as Washington pushed for a playoff spot. He ranked third among NHL rookies in power-play points (14), 5-on-5 points (16) and 2.13 points per 60 at 5-on-5, and finished eighth in Calder Trophy voting. Leonard said he still has a lot to learn at 21 and expects the game to "continue to slow down" for him as he develops into a top player for the Capitals.
