[Hockey News]

WASHINGTON (AP) -The Washington Capitals signed center Michael Nylander to a four-year, $19.5 million contract Monday, the team's third free-agent signing in two days.

Nylander joins forward Viktor Kozlov and defenseman Tom Poti in the team's haul during the first 48 hours of the NHL's open market. After subsisting as a last-place team on a low payroll since the lockout ended in 2005, the Capitals have vowed this summer to spend more as they attempt to build a playoff team around young star Alex Ovechkin.

"We had to go through that phase where we were a young team and we had to figure out just exactly who we were and who could do what," general manager George McPhee said. "I don't think it made sense to really spend money and add free agents until we knew what we were and just exactly what we needed. So we went through that phase for two years and we think we did some things the past couple days that make us far more competitive and address some real needs. We're hopefully knocking on the playoff door now."

Capitals sign free agent center Nylander to 4-year deal

[ThePundit]

Where did the Capitals get all this money from all of a sudden?

[blueandwhite]

They are definitely one of the top three teams that is stocking up for winter, along with Philly and the rangers.

[Lefty Noob]

Edmonton's filing a grievence - apparently they feel they had a deal done with Nylander on Sunday.

According to a statement released by the Oilers, ""On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Kevin Lowe, Oilers general manager, and Mr. Mike Gillis, certified agent for Michael Nylander, negotiated and agreed to a multi-year NHL Standard Players Contract, starting in 2007-08. Mr. Gillis confirmed same to the Oilers in writing... The Oilers then proceeded with preparations to announce Mr. Nylander's contract agreement on July 2, and concurrently continued with the process of negotiating with other free agents based upon Mr. Nylander being an important roster ingredient for the future... However, while the Oilers were expecting the returned signed agreements from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Gillis, the Oilers discovered through public announcements made mid-afternoon on July 2, that Mr. Nylander had subsequently entered into a long-term contract with the Capitals... The Oilers can find no precedent for such conduct in our history. The Oilers are examining and pursuing every course of action available in the best interest of the team and our fans... For legal reasons, the Edmonton Oilers hockey club will not be discussing the details any further at this time."

[blueandwhite]

Cool. A little bit of dirt.
Good for Edmonton for calling a player and his agent on this.
Edmonton is a hurting team right now. I mentioned the top 3 teams that are stocking up? Edmonton, Buffalo, and the Islanders are the teams that have become mere shells of their former selves.
With special mention going to jersey.
So stick it to them, Oilers.