Defenseman Mike Green won’t be with the Washington Capitals in 2015-16. According to CSN Washington, Green is ready to test free agency when he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. Green’s agent Craig Oster, who is also the agent for Eric Fehr, indicated that both players would hit the open market.
Oster on both Green and Fehr moving on:
“The Capitals have been open and transparent and honest and I think both players were clear in terms of their willingness and intention to stay if it was going to make sense.
It’s a function of where the Capitals are as an organization, changes that have been made there and the salary cap as to why they weren’t in a position to do much more than they were. At the end of the day, it’s a decision by them as to how they make their best team and based on all the factors it wasn’t going to work out for Mike or Eric or the organization and both sides will continue to move on.”
Green is coming off a three-year, $18.25 million contract and most recently posted 45 points in 72 games with the Capitals. The Capitals have several free agents to address beyond Green, but it’s apparent they weren’t looking to commit to another large, long-term contract on defense. The club already has two defensemen (Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik) with annual cap hits exceeding $5 million and Green likely demanded similar money.
Offensively, Green is an exciting option from defense, but he certainly has his critics. He should have no issue finding a new team, but it’ll be interesting to see what type of contract he picks up.