Capitals Sign Defenseman Jeff Schultz to Four-Year Contract

Schultz, 24, played 73 games for the Capitals in 2009-10 and led the NHL with a +50 rating, the best single-season rating in franchise history. He became the first defenseman to lead the NHL in plus/minus rating since 2005-06 (Michal Rozsival and Wade Redden) and the first Capital to lead the league in that category. Offensively he recorded career highs in assists (20) and points (23) and averaged a career-high 19:51 of ice time per game. He led the team with 129 blocked shots.

The Calgary, Alberta, native was the Capitals’ first-round choice, 27th overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft. He has played in 247 career games for Washington, recording 56 points (nine goals, 47 assists) and just 97 penalty minutes. He has a +80 rating in his career.