From Off-Wing Opinion:
After a solid first year in the league, the Caps have rewarded center Dave Steckel with a one-year contract extension. This will keep Steckel in a Caps uniform through the ’09-’10 season.
Steckel was the top face-off winner for the Caps last season, and ranked 7th in the league. The Caps came into last season with questions in the face-off circle. Backstrom and Steckel were untested, and Kozlov and Laich aren’t known for their face-off prowess. Nylander was just below 50% when his season was ended by injury. Along with Boyd Gordon, Steckel was a pleasant surprise for the Caps this season at the dot.
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Steckel understands his role with the Capitals, and that is as a depth forward who can take face-offs and use his size to his advantage. Clearly the Capitals liked what the saw last season, as Steckel was already under contract for next season; so there was no rush to get this done.
He's closing in on his first game since January 13th.
The 2024 2nd rounder is in Winnipeg where he'll spend the rest of the season…
At the GM meetings GMKC spoke 1-on-1 with Gino Reda.