Restricted free agent Mike Green doesn’t want to go to arbitration -- at least that’s the logical conclusion to leap to after the Washington Post reported that he has decided not to file for it.
Green’s four-year/$21 million contract has expired and it’s hard to gauge what he will get, although the Capitals felt it was worth it to present him with a $5 million qualifying offer.
Green surpassed the 70-point milestone in back-to-back seasons. In 2008-09, he scored 31 goals, which is tied for the 11th best single-season total for a blueliner in the history of the NHL.
That said, he’s been limited to just 81 games over the last two seasons and even when he has been healthy, he hasn’t been putting up the same kind of numbers.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Capitals opted to ink him to a short-term contract to make sure he can bounce back. That being said, if he does, he could be in line for a very hefty sum next time he’s a free agent.