Washington locks up Ryan Leonard on an eight-year, $84 million deal

The Washington Capitals announced Tuesday they have re-signed forward Ryan Leonard to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension, securing one of their younger contributors as the offseason roster build winds down.

Leonard posted 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) across 44 games last season, averaging 13.9 minutes of ice time per night. He ranked sixth among Washington's top-10 scorers by total points, operating in a complementary role behind the team's established top line of Tom Wilson, Alex Ovechkin, and Dylan Strome.

The extension arrives after a busy offseason that has already seen Washington add center Boone Jenner and defenseman Vincent Desharnais, lose Connor McMichael to St. Louis, and bring Ovechkin back for a 22nd season. Locking up Leonard removes another variable heading into camp and keeps a productive young piece in place for the long term.