Stanley Cup-champion Capitals already finetuning roster, staff

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals are bringing back two of the more important players from their Stanley Cup run by getting new contracts done with winger Devante Smith-Pelly and defenceman Michal Kempny.

Smith-Pelly had offers from other teams and took less money to sign a $1 million, one-year deal Thursday. A person with knowledge of the move later in the day said the Capitals agreed to terms on a multiyear contract with Kempny.

“We all want to come back and play and try it again with the same group,” Smith-Pelly said. “Obviously it might not work that way, but I think that’s what’s everyone intention to all come back and all be the same group.”

Smith-Pelly and Kempny were key acquisitions for the Capitals who played dividends in the playoffs. Smith-Pelly scored seven goals in the post-season, while Kempny filled the need for a top-four defenceman.

Each player said after the season he’d like to return. For Kempny, it’s the chance to keep an “amazing” time going after fitting in perfectly alongside John Carlson and found his game under associate coach Todd Reirden.

“I’m very happy here,” Kempny said recently. “We had plan with Todd, with defenceman coach, and the plan work out very well.”

The Capitals acquired Kempny from Chicago at the trade deadline for a third-round pick. He did not seem to be a favourite of Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, was largely a thirdpairing defenceman in Chicago and doubted his own ability to play difficult minutes.

“Todd, defenceman coach, he get my belief in myself back and I really appreciate (him) for it because when I came here I didn’t believe in myself,” Kempny said. “I didn’t have confidence enough. Now, I’m back and my confidence is getting better and better.”

The 27 year-old Czech had two goals and three assists while playing 17:42 a game in the playoffs. Even better news for him is Reirden will replace departed coach Barry Trotz.

General manager Brian MacLellan announced the anticipated move Friday. Reirden had been on Trotz’s staff the past four years, including the past two as associate coach.

Reirden was the only candidate for the job after Trotz resigned June 18 and joined the New York Islanders three days later. The 47-yearold had been considered Washington’s coachin-waiting all last season with Trotz going into the final year of his contract.

The former defenceman coached served as an NHL assistant with Pittsburgh for four years.