In a busy day for European free agents, the Washington Capitals have joined the party. The team has announced that they’ve signed Juuso Ikonen to a two-year entry-level contract that begins next season. The deal will carry an average annual value of $925K.
Ikonen is a 23-year old Finnish forward who has spent the last two seasons playing in the SHL. Talented but undersized, he nevertheless put up 26 points in 49 games this season and could be an impact player on the Hershey Bears next season.
That’s if he doesn’t make the Capitals, which, while unlikely is certainly not impossible. Whenever Washington’s season ends, they will head into the summer with several tough decisions to make. With several restricted free agents to sign, and likely less than $15MM in cap space, the team could find itself in a financial crunch quite quickly. That’s because of a certain unrestricted free agent named John Carlson, who the team seems adamant on keeping despite obvious salary structure problems.
If the team does end up splurging to keep Carlson around on what would have to be a massive contract extension, they might need to cut from other places on the roster, essentially opening up playing time for cheap young players like Ikonen. Though he’d have quite a bit of competition, his skill could stand out in camp and earn him a spot.
More likely though is a start in Hershey where the team needs an injection of young talent after a disappointing season. It cost Troy Mann his coaching position, and cold lead to some substantial changes in player personnel.