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The Capitals’ biggest signing on the first day of NHL Free Agency came when they signed defenseman Matt Roy for a six-year, $34.5 million contract. Roy was considered one of the best defenders available.
The 29-year-old defender is the second former Los Angeles Kings player the Capitals have acquired for the upcoming season. Their first big move of the offseason was the trade for center Pierre-Luc Dubois who was Roy’s teammate in Los Angeles last year.
The Capitals are Dubois’ fourth team in the past five seasons. The 26-year-old Quebec native forced his way out of both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets, leading to rumors and speculation that he was a toxic teammate.
Roy ruled out that possibility Tuesday during his first meeting with the Capitals media.
“I’m very excited,” Roy said. “(Dubois) is a great kid and a great player. I think he’s going to help this team a lot and, both off the court and in the locker room, he’s a great kid and a great teammate. I’m excited.”
Part of Roy’s enthusiasm may be related to how well they played together when they were on the ice in five-on-five play last season. In 355:22 minutes, the Kings saw 55.3 percent of shot attempts, 57.8 percent of expected goals, 56.3 percent of scoring chances and 59.7 percent of high-danger opportunities.
Roy recorded 20-plus points for the third straight year, cementing himself as a reliable two-way defender. Dubois chipped in 40 points (16 g, 24 a) in what was a down year for the former third overall Draft pick, but his year-end total would have ranked fourth on last year’s Capitals team. Both players are signed through the 2030-31 season.
While Roy has already spoken with head coach Spencer Carbery, the two have not had conversations about his future role on the ice. Still, the right-handed defenseman knows what he wants to accomplish in DC.
“I’m just going to try to bring my game to Washington,” Roy said. “Just be a consistent guy, be physical when I can, try to contribute offensively when I can and just bring consistent play to the team.
“It’s very important that Washington is trying to win. Every player wants to win and wants to play on a winning team, so that was part of my mindset going in. I thought Washington was checking all the boxes and making some good moves to get there.”
Roy and Dubois are two of seven major acquisitions Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan has made this summer. Washington also added Andrew Mangiapane, Logan Thompson, Jakob Chychrun, Brandon Duhaime and Taylor Raddysh.
“I think all the players they brought in were excellent,” Roy said. “I think they’ll be great additions to the team. I’m really excited for our team next year.”
The additions of Roy and Chychrun in particular will help bolster a backline that struggled to find consistency last year. Both players will likely be in the team’s top four, allowing Carbery to better position players like Rasmus Sandin, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Ethan Bear and Alex Alexeyev.
Washington relied heavily on a hunker-down, net-protecting defensive strategy, which allowed it to sneak into last year’s playoffs. Next season’s defensive group should be much more mobile and fast-paced.
“I think (the group) is great,” Roy said. “I think we have a really solid defensive corps. I think everyone can make plays and everyone can defend. I think we have a little bit of everything, so I’m excited to play with these guys.”
Roy did not reveal when he expects to be in D.C. before training camp. Capitals players typically begin meeting for informal team practices at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in mid-August, a month before training camp begins.
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