WASHINGTON, July 2 -- The Washington Capitals Monday reunited Jaromir Jagr with Robert Lang, who signed a five-year contract on the first day of unrestricted free agency.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but the Washington Post reported he will get $5 million per year.
Lang, 31, played the last five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, four of them were with Jagr, the superstar right wing, who was traded to Washington prior to the 2001-02 campaign.
Despite missing 20 games because of injury, Lang was third on the team in scoring last season, totaling 18 goals and 32 assists.
In 2000-01, he set career highs in games (82), goals (32), assists (48) and points (80).
"They called me right away and it shows you how interested the team is in you and how excited they are to get you," Lang told the paper. "And I think it was the same from my side. You look around as a player at the other teams and Washington was definitely a great place for me to go. I can't imagine having a better end to this."
Lang likely will play on a line with Jagr, a fellow Czech who led the Capitals in scoring during his first season with the team, recording 31 goals and 48 assists in 69 games.
The Capitals tied for 10th in the NHL last season with 228 goals. They dealt Adam Oates, one of the best playmaking centers in history, at the trade deadline, then made a run at the playoffs before missing out.
"We needed an offensive center and identified Robert Lang as the right fit for our club," said Capitals General Manager George McPhee. "He plays in all situations and really shoots the puck well."
Lang has 122 goals and 197 assists in 495 regular-season games with Pittsburgh, Boston and Los Angeles. He blossomed with the Penguins, totaling 103 goals and 158 assists in 345 games.NEWLN:|end| Content: 15000001 15031000 15031001
