Free agency began around the NHL at noon Sunday and the Washington Capitals, who signed three players last July 1, were eerily quiet.
The Caps, however, did not end the day without a signing as they brought in right wing Joey Crabb, most recently of the Toronto Maple Leafs, to a one-year deal reportedly worth $950,000. The team confirmed the deal Monday morning.
Crabb scored 11 goals and added 15 assists in 67 games for the Leafs last season, all career-highs. The 29-year-old is an energy player who will likely be tasked with fourth-line and penalty-killing duty. Crabb's 1:34 of shorthanded ice time per game led all Toronto wingers last season.
With the arrival of second-line center Mike Ribeiro last week and Crabb's Sunday, Washington is bolstering its lineup slowly, but surely. The Caps could still use a top-six forward -- preferably a second-line right wing -- to balance their depth chart.
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