Hockey
Capitals Forward Pettinger Signs A New Contract
Tuesday, August 1, 2006; Page E02
Washington Capitals left wing Matt Pettinger avoided salary arbitration by signing a three-year contract yesterday.
Pettinger posted 20 goals (tied for third on the team) and 38 points (more than three times his previous career high) in an unexpected breakout year. After beginning the season as a spare part, the 25-year-old worked his way into the lineup and eventually landed a steady role. His five short-handed goals led the team and were tied for third-most in the NHL.
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With his arbitration case set to be heard tomorrow, Pettinger instead signed a deal that will pay him $900,000 next season, $1 million the following year and $1.1 million in 2008-09. He made the league minimum of $450,000 last season.
"It's nice to get rewarded and to know they have confidence in you," Pettinger said.
In other team news, September's training camp will be split among the Ashburn Ice House in Ashburn, Giant Center in Hershey, Pa., and Verizon Center. Dates have not been finalized.
The team's new $40 million practice facility in Ballston is expected to be ready by the start of the regular season in October.
-- Tarik El-Bashir