When free agency opened last October, the cap-strapped Caps (try saying that five times fast) did what they could to strengthen their roster, signing a veteran goaltender to compete for the starter’s job, a depth forward on a two-way deal, and a handful of defensemen. That group of blueliners included their most expensive new acquisition, Justin Schultz (two years, $8-million), as well as Trevor van Riemsdyk, Paul LaDue and Cameron Schilling, each on a one-year deal and at a combined NHL cap hit of $2.2 million. The stable of rearguards got even more crowded just before New Year’s with the addition of Zdeno Chara (one year, $795,000).
In Defense of Trevor van Riemsdyk
