Capitals Sign Tough Defenseman To Extension

The Washington Capitals are keeping their enforcer around for two more years.

Jon Alfano | Mar 27, 2025

Nov 3, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Washington Capitals defenseman Dylan McIlrath (52) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images / James Guillory-Imagn Images

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Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a two-year extension worth $1.6 million ($800,000 AAV), the team announced Thursday morning.

The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a two-year, $1.6 million contract extension. pic.twitter.com/jRDgCHzO2S
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) March 27, 2025

McIlrath, 32, has appeared in just 11 games for the league-leading Capitals this season, recording two assists while averaging 10:54 of ice time. He last played on Dec. 23, where he logged just 1:45 of ice time in a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has appeared in 20 regular-season games since joining the Capitals in 2021. He has been a key piece of the Capitals' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, recording 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 192 games over three seasons. He captained the team to back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024.

McIlrath is obviously not much of a scorer, but he does bring a physical presence to any team he's with. He stands at 6-5 and 232 pounds, and with 147 penalty minutes in 86 career games, he's not afraid to drop the gloves at all.

The New York Rangers selected McIlrath with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft. He was selected above players such as Cam Fowler, Vladimir Tarasenko and former Capitals star Evgeny Kuznetsov.

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Published Mar 27, 2025

JON ALFANO

Jon is a lead writer for Baltimore Ravens On SI and contributes to other sites around the network as well. The Tampa native previously worked with sites such as ClutchPoints and GiveMeSport and earned his journalism degree at the University of Central Florida.