The Capitals have loaned center Michael Nylander to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Nylander, 37, played for the Griffins during a two-week conditioning stint in late October and early November. This loan, however, is a standard one. That means that while the Caps still must pay Nylander’s $5.5 million salary, they clear his $4.875 million salary-cap hit off their books and have the pro-rated portion of that money to spend as they see fit for the rest of the season.
Nylander has a no-movement clause in his contract and the two sides failed repeatedly to reach an agreement on a loan to teams in Europe. He has twice cleared NHL waivers, but his high salary kept other NHL teams from claiming him or trading for him. In the earlier stint with Grand Rapids, Nylander registered a goal and five assists in five games. The 19-year veteran has yet to play in an NHL game with the Caps this season after clashing at the end of last year with coach Bruce Boudreau. Nylander was a healthy scratch in 12 of 14 postseasn games last spring despite having the third-highest cap hit on the team. He originally signed a four-year contract in July of 2007. Nylander’s no-movement clause expires after this season. He will then have one year left on his contract at a cap hit of $3 million. The Caps will again be responsible for that if they can’t trade Nylander or work out another loan agreement.
