The Caps have signed defenseman Tom Poti to a two-year contract extension worth $5.75 million. The 33-year-old was set to become a free agent at the end of the season. But he left some cash on the table for one reason.
“I think we have a chance to win here. I’ve played in the league 12 or 13 years and still haven’t won,” Poti said. “I think this is the best chance for me to get a Cup – and not just one Cup, but more than one Cup hopefully. I was willing to give up some money, leave some money on the table to have a chance at that. All I want to do is win. “
Poti’s salary-cap hit will drop from $3.5 million to $2.875 million. For a dependable veteran who has been one of the club’s better penalty killers the last two seasons that’s a favorable price for Washington. And Poti can now leave any worries about contract negotiations behind. He has played on one-year deals plenty of times before with the New York Rangers and New York Islanders. But it’s less than ideal. Poti signed a four-year, $14 million deal with the Caps before the 2007-08 season.
“I’m not a guy that lets too much pressure get to me,” Poti said. “I just go out and play and do my job. I think this season would have been no different. But it’s nice to not have to worry about it.”
Contract issues aren’t over for the Caps, of course. Alex Semin, Brooks Laich, Mike Knuble, John Erskine, Boyd Gordon and Matt Bradley are all still unrestricted free agents after the season. Poti has played in 193 regular-season games for the Caps with nine goals and 57 assists.
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