Washington Capitals Sign Tomas Fleischmann
The Washington Capitals have announced that they have signed centre Tomas Fleischmann to a one-year contract worth $2.6 million. The signing helps to avoid an arbitration hearing that the Czech born forward filed for on July 5th.
Tomas Fleischmann
Fleischmann began his career in the Czech Republic, but quickly made the move to North America, playing his junior hockey with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Fleischmann preformed well for the Warriors, registering 71 points in his first season, and 75 in his second, which was only 60 games long.
Fleischmann was drafted 63rd overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the 2002 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft. Detroit elected to send him to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Portland Pirates, where he spent the entire 2004-05 season.
That year, Fleischmann was traded to the Capitals in a deal that brought the Red Wings Robert Lang. His first two seasons in Washington were spent split between the Capitals and their AHL team the Hershey Bears. Fleischmann had strong campaigns with Hershey, registering 51 points in 45 games in his second season.
The following season, Fleischmann enjoyed his first full season with the club. Last year, he notched 23 goals and 28 assists in just 67 games, as his role increased with the Capitals.
Capitals’ Perspective
For the Capitals, Fleischmann has become an integral part of their offence, playing on the second line, and bringing another legitimate scoring threat to an already potent line-up.
The Caps will be happy to see Fleischmann back in uniform come October, and there is no question that his role within the organization will continue to grow.
Fleischmann brings more depth to the Capitals impressive forward core, and helps to fill out the second line, which features him, Mike Knuble and Brooks Laich. Fleischmann is also able to step up to the first line if needed, as he demonstrated last year when Alexander Ovechkin went out and he notched eight goals.
The term is a little frightening for the Capitals, as they will attempt to re-sign Fleischmann before he becomes a free agent at the end of the year. Certainly, he would represent a serious upgrade on most team’s second lines and he will have a number of suitors if the Capitals let him test the open market next July. General Manager (GM) George McPhee will want to lock him up before the end of the 2010-11 regular season.
The signing also looks to be the last major move for the Capitals before puck drop in October, as he is their 20th player under contract for next year.
Fleischmann’s Perspective
For Fleischmann, returning to Washington on a one-year deal worth over $2 million is a great decision. The 27 year-old is just coming into his prime and a one-year contract should set him up for something larger and more long-term at the end of the season. In addition, he has a major role in an organization that will once again be at the top of many experts lists to win the Stanley Cup.
Fleischmann will see major time on the team’s second power play unit and will be a staple at second line centre. The promise of playing with gifted offensive players, such as Ovechkin and Alexander Semin, is enough to wet any centres palate.
Whether or not he decides to remain with the Capitals after this season is up in the air, but either way, if Fleischmann is able to post similar numbers through an entire 82 game schedule, his services will certainly be in demand.
Tags: