What The McIlrath Extension Means For The Capitals, Alexeyev

The Washington Capitals started their Thursday off with more outstanding business, inking defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a two-year, $1.6 million extension.

It's a one-way deal that pays the rearguard an AAV of $800,000.

McIlrath made the full-time jump to the NHL this season with Washington, appearing in 11 games and picking up two assists while spending most of the time as the team's seventh defenseman. Prior to this season, the 32-year-old captained the Hershey Bears to back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024. He has been in the Capitals organization since 2021.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound blueliner is not only a physical, capable defenseman who provides depth, but he is one of the veteran leaders in the locker room. He plays a similar role as Matt Irwin, who was the team's seventh defensemen back during Peter Laviolette's tenure.

Though McIlrath doesn't play a lot, he knows his role and enjoys it, and he's happy to do what he can to provide whatever the organization asks of him.

"It's just the situation; I'm at peace with it. It doesn't make it easy, but it's something that I know I just got to focus on myself. I've been at it long enough to be a pro, and I know I got to be ready when my time (comes)," McIlrath said, adding, "So (I'm) really taking advantage of a full team practice and making sure I'm keeping that pace as the other guys and treating it as if it were a game."

With McIlrath signed now and the team having all six of its regular defensemen under contract through next season, it appears this could be the end of the road for Alex Alexeyev, who becomes an unrestricted free agent in July.

Alexeyev has appeared in just five regular season games. He was a first-round pick in 2018, and though he's shown that he can play in the big leagues, he hasn't solidified himself as a regular defenseman in the lineup for D.C.

That said, the 25-year-old, who still has plenty of upside, could look to sign elsewhere this offseason and go to a team where he can get consistent playing time rather than being a healthy scratch.