Capitals sign Chorney to 2-year extension

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) The Washington Capitals signed defenseman Taylor Chorney to a $1.6 million, two-year contract extension.

Chorney has been a surprising contributor with the injuries to defensemen Brooks Orpik and John Carlson that pushed him into a more prominent role. Chorney has averaged almost 13 minutes a game this season.

His assists through 45 games are a career high as he has re-established himself as a full-time NHL player.

Signed in the offseason as depth on the blue line, Chorney will count $800,000 against Washington's salary cap in 2016-17 and 2017-18.