The Capitals signed Phillips, added Dubé on a two-year ELC and re-upped Shepard and McIlrath.
The Washington Capitals got a bit more business done on Sunday, signing Matthew Phillips to a one-year deal, announcing the Pierrick Dube entry-level contract and re-upping Dylan McIlrath and Hunter Shepard.
Phillips' contract is a one-way deal that pays $775,000. The 25-year-old is coming off a stellar season with the AHL's Calgary Wranglers, where he had 36 goals and 40 assists for 76 points in 66 games. Phillips was named to the AHL's first All-Star Team. In 265 total AHL games, he has 237 points. He's appeared in three career NHL games with the Flames, including two last season.
It's a solid signing for the Capitals, who get another speedy winger with scoring and playmaking ability. He thinks the game at a high pace, keeps his feet moving and can win battles and evade defenders with ease.
Shepard and McIlrath, meanwhile, signed two-year, two-way contracts following their stellar year with the Hershey Bears that resulted in a Calder Cup Championship.
Shepard, 27, went 20-8-5 with a .916 save percentage, 2.18 GAA and one shutout through 33 games last season. He backed up Charlie Lindgren during the regular season when Darcy Kuemper was concussed in December.
McIlrath wore the "C" for Hershey and had 13 assists and a team-leading 102 penalty minutes. The 6-5, 212-pound defenseman also spent six games up with Washington and had one assist and seven PIM.
Dubé's signing comes after a strong rookie season with the AHL's Laval Rocket. He went undrafted following an impressive QMJHL career, but put himself on Washington's radar with his lethal shot and smooth skating ability.