Despite reports from earlier that he had re-signed with the Washington Capitals, forward Keith Aucoin has instead signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Early Saturday morning, Renaud Lavole of Canadian French-language network RDS reported that Aucoin had signed a one-year contract with the Caps worth $650,000 at the NHL level and $350,000 at the AHL level. The team, however, denied the report. Lavole later revised his report, reporting that Aucoin had instead signed with Toronto for the same terms.
Aucoin himself confirmed the deal on Twitter:
Thanks to all the #caps and #bears fans for your support the last 4 years! Hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did! — keith aucoin (@coiner11) July 21, 2012
That being said I'm exited to join a great organization in the Toronto Maple Leafs! #Leafs — keith aucoin (@coiner11) July 21, 2012
Aucoin appeared in 27 regular season games for Washington last season (including 22 of the final 23) and all 14 postseason games, finishing with 13 total points (three goals, 10 assists). The 33-year-old, however, has made his name in the AHL; in four seasons with the Hershey Bears, Aucoin earned a scoring title, a MVP award and two Calder Cup championships.
Capitals General Manager George McPhee said earlier this month that Aucoin was seeking a one-way contract.
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"It was our understanding if he didn’t get it he’d go to Europe to play," McPhee said at the time.
With Aucoin's departure, Alexander Semin and Mike Knuble remain as the only unrestricted free agents left to sign who played in Washington last season.
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