Capitals C Evgeny Kuznetsov signs 2-year, $6M contract

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov has signed a $6 million, two-year contract, the team announced Monday.

"That's what we're looking for, some kind of bridge contract, it's probably good for me and probably good for the Caps, too," Kuznetsov said Tuesday. "I have two more years to show my hockey and all this stuff.

"It's always motivation for you when you have one or two years. Maybe long contract is good, too, but I've never been in that situation."

As a rookie, Kuznetsov had 11 goals and 26 assists during the regular season, and then starred in the playoffs, with five goals and two assists. He scored twice in Game 5 against the New York Islanders in the first round, and netted the winning goal in a 2-1 Game 7 victory in that series.

The 23-year-old Kuznetsov was a first-round pick by the Capitals in the 2010 NHL draft.