Caps’ top prospect is returning to BC in lieu of playoffs
ARLINGTON, VA. » Ryan Leonard is not joining the Washington Capitals for the playoffs after all, as he will return to Boston College for his sophomore season.
General manager Brian MacLellan confirmed that Wednesday, saying the organization’s top prospect expressed a desire to play another season at the NCAA level before making the leap to the NHL.
“We support Ryan’s decision to return to one of the best programs in the nation to continue his development,” MacLellan said in a statement. “Ryan showed great leadership and made tremendous progress during his first year, which saw him score the most goals by a freshman in Boston College program history and the third-most goals in the NCAA ...”
Speculation swirled on social media earlier in the day about Leonard perhaps changing his mind and signing with the Capitals after they finished off an improbable late-season run to make the playoffs.
Leonard, 19, was the eighth pick in the draft last year and quickly looked like a big piece of the franchise’s future. He had 60 points in 41 games his only NCAA season at Boston College, helping the Eagles reach the Frozen Four before losing to Denver in the final.
Leonard is going back to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, for another shot at BC, perhaps with linemates Will Smith (San Jose) and Gabe Perreault (Rangers), to chase a national championship.
Cutter Gauthier, named the top forward at the world juniors for leading the U.S. to gold and a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in college hockey, signed with Anaheim and is expected to debut for the Ducks in their season finale Thursday at Vegas.
Canadiens exercise option on St. Louis
BROSSARD, QUEBEC » The Montreal Canadiens have exercised the two-year option of the contract of coach Martin St. Louis, committing him to the team for the next three seasons.
The 48-year-old Canadian was named head coach at the end of that season, taking on his first role behind an NHL bench. He has posted a 75-100-26 record as coach while the Canadiens undergo a rebuild.
Fleury signs extension with Wild
ST. PAUL, MINN. » The Minnesota Wild signed goalie MarcAndre Fleury to a one-year, $2.5 million contract extension on Wednesday, bringing back the veteran for another season.
Fleury, who turns 40 on Nov. 28, has had a prolific season in which he passed Patrick Roy for second place behind Martin Brodeur on the NHL ‘s all-time list in career goaltending wins. Brodeur (691) is still 130 ahead of Fleury, but don’t expect him to stick with that long-shot pursuit.
“I’m not doing this again,” Fleury told reporters after practice. “No, this is it.”