Not only have the Washington Capitals signed their top three draft picks, they can also now cross one of their minor league restricted free agents off the to-do list. Colby Williams has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the team that will carry a $700K salary at the NHL level. Williams was eligible for salary arbitration but chose not to file.
Williams, 24, has played for the Hershey Bears for the last three seasons, suiting up 171 times for the Capitals’ AHL affiliate and recording 44 points. The physical defenseman was originally a sixth-round pick in 2015, but has quickly established himself as an asset at the professional level. He will actually be eligible for Group VI unrestricted free agency next summer unless he plays in 80 games with the Capitals this season.
Washington still has work to do over the next few weeks if they want to avoid any arbitration hearings, as both Chandler Stephenson and Christian Djoos filed. Jakub Vrana, the team’s most important RFA was not eligible but is also in line for a substantial raise after an excellent season.
I am a Hershey Bears season ticket holder & also cover the team for a website. Colby Williams had a strong rookie season, but has been a disaster the past two seasons. He was a team worst -15 last season & was a -13 the previous season. He is consistently out of position & often chases the puck. He was a healthy scratch a lot at the end of the season & for 6 of the 9 playoff games Hershey played in. In our sites season ending grades, he got a D. Williams right now will have trouble getting into the Bears lineup. He has Tyler Lewington, Erik Burgdoerfer & Connor Hobbs ahead of him on the depth chart. If he wants ice time, he really needs to pick up his game. Otherwise, he will be on press box duty a lot
Wow, Eric! Sounds like Williams & Jesse Puljujarvi are twins, separated at birth! Yoikes!