Washington Capitals sign Dylan McIlrath, Matthew Phillips to contracts

The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Dylan McIlrath and forward Matthew Phillips to $775,000 deals for 2023-24.

McIlrath’s contract lasts two years, while Phillips has a one-year pact. Daily Faceoff’s Mike Gould was the first to report the Phillips signing.

McIlrath, 31, returns to the Capitals after spending the past two years in the organization. The physical 6-foot-5 defenseman had one assist in six games last year with the Caps, but, more importantly, helped the Hershey Bears win the AHL’s Calder Cup championship. The veteran defenseman served as captain with Hershey, and he added two points and 44 penalty minutes in 20 postseason games en route to his second league title, having won his first in 2017 with Grand Rapids. Taken 10th overall by the New York Rangers in 2010, McIlrath has 72 games of NHL experience with the Rangers, Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings and Washington.

Phillips, 25, was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2016. The 5-foot-8 forward has not recorded a point in three games with the Flames but had 36 goals and 76 points in 66 games wiwth Calgary this past season. The AHL scoring star has been one of the best in the AHL over the last few years, scoring 103 goals and 237 points in 265 games. Phillips will be joining a Capitals organization that just brought over Mitch Love as an assistant coach – Phillips’ bench boss with the Wranglers.

The Capitals have $3.563 million in projected cap space with 11 forwards, six defensemen and two goalies signed. Of the two signed today, Phillips could contribute in the NHL this year, but that’s far from a guarantee.