Joel Ward's contract is set to expire at the end of this season, but the Washington Capitals haven't had any discussions about a new deal with the 34-year-old right wing.
Ward signed a 4-year, $12 million deal with the Caps in 2011, and had his most productive NHL season to date in 2013-14. Starting all 82 games, Ward recorded 24 goals and 25 assists for a career-high 49 points on the year. Unfortunately, the team was unable to replicate his personal success, and he missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
At 34, Ward is unlikely to receive a significant or long-term deal, and his decreased production so far in '14-15 (11 goals and 10 assists in 51 games) won't encourage Caps GM Brian MacLellan to get out his checkbook. His agent told CSN Washington he isn't concerned about the lack of talks, but it appears likely Ward will end up an unrestricted free agent barring a very productive playoff run.
The Capitals have dropped six of their last eight games (including one overtime loss and one shootout defeat), but they remain strong playoff contenders in the Metropolitan division. With Ward's focus on the stretch run and a shot at the Stanley Cup, his agent says he'll evaluate his position with the team again at the end of the season.
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