It was a month ago when Justin Williams' 6-year-old son Jaxon told him if he wasn't going to play for the Los Angeles Kings anymore he should go play with Alex Ovechkin.

Daddy listened, and granted Jaxon's wish Thursday by signing a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals.

"I know my son's happy," Williams said Friday. "He woke up this morning and said, 'Daddy, where are we playing?' I told him Washington and he was all smiles. That passed the test. I'm happy about that."

Williams passed the test for the Capitals too.

Washington general manager Brian MacLellan said he thinks Williams, a three-time Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner in 2014, should be a perfect fit for the Capitals on the ice and in the dressing room.

Growing up, defenseman John Moore was always enamored with the way Scott Niedermayer could skate with the puck and generate scoring opportunities with regularity.

He modeled his game after the Hockey Hall of Fame member and after five NHL seasons is considered by many to be an offensive-type defenseman in his own right. Now, he's looking forward to playing for the New Jersey Devils, the team that drafted Niedermayer.

Devils general manager Ray Shero signed Moore to a three-year contract Wednesday worth a reported $5 million. The contract carries an annual salary-cap hit of $1.67 million.

"Scott Niedermayer's skating ability was outstanding and that's something I think I bring to the table," Moore said. "Obviously, it's pretty tough to replicate the success [Niedermayer] had, but even now you pull up old video clips and see the way he used that skating ability and his feet to an advantage to be effective defensively and offensively.

"It'll be exciting to be playing for the same organization [Niedermayer played] and look up to the rafters and see his jersey number right there."

Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Thursday that forward Gabriel Bourque has accepted his qualifying offer and signed a one-year, $866,250 contract with the club.

Bourque, 24 (9/23/90), has played 220 career NHL games – all with Nashville – since 2011-12, recording 74 points (30g-44a). The Rimouski, Que., native set career highs in hits (141) and blocked shots (44) in 2014-15 after recording a personal-best 26 points (9g-17a) in a career-high 74 games during the 2013-14 campaign. During the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 5-10, 192-pound left wing tied for the team lead in goals (3), highlighted by two goals, including the game winner, in his NHL playoff debut becoming the third player in the previous 14 playoff years to attain the feat.

Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced Thursday that the team has signed forward Max Reinhart to a one-year, two-way contract worth $575,000 at the NHL level and $80,000 at the AHL level.

Reinhart, 23 (2/4/92), who was acquired from Calgary in exchange for a conditional fourth-round selection in the 2016 Draft, has appeared in 23 career NHL games with the Flames over the past three seasons, posting a goal and four assists. Since scoring a pair of goals in his first professional contest with the AHL's Abbotsford Heat on April 15, 2012, the 6-1, 185-pound center has amassed 125 points (45g-80a) in 203 AHL contests. In 2013-14, his assist total ranked ninth in the AHL (42), while his point total tied for 11th (63).

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Thursday that forward Christian Thomas has agreed to terms on a one-year, two-way contract with the Club (2015-16).

Thomas, 23, played 18 games with the Canadiens in 2014-15. He scored one goal, his first career goal in the NHL, on February 12 against Edmonton. He averaged 9:05 of ice time per game and was assessed seven penalty minutes. The 5'09'' and 178 lbs forward also appeared in 52 games with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, recording 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists). Two of his goals were scored on the powerplay and he totaled 125 shots on goal. Thomas has played 21 career regular season games in the NHL.

BOSTON -- While the Boston Bruins were struggling to score on their way to missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in eight seasons, forward Matt Beleskey was enjoying a breakout season with the Anaheim Ducks.

Now the Bruins are hoping Beleskey continues to blossom because their search for offense led them to sign the unrestricted free agent forward to a five-year contract Wednesday that averages $3.8 million per season.

Beleskey, 27, scored an NHL career-best 22 goals during the regular season and eight in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. When free agency began at noon on Wednesday, the 6-foot, 204-pound left wing was one of the most coveted forwards.

"I feel that coming to Boston, there's a lot of great young players, guys who have been around and guys who have won Stanley Cups," Beleskey said. "I think the experience is there and I think the style of play that I play is going to be useful in Boston. I think after being able to score some goals and get that confidence, I'm looking forward to next year. I'm looking forward to doing the same thing."

Forward Justin Williams signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.

"Justin is a proven winner and we feel he will be a great addition to our club," Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. "We felt it was important for our team to add someone of his caliber, as a hockey player and as a veteran leader."

Center Shawn Horcoff agreed to a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks worth $1.75 million on Wednesday, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

Horcoff, who turns 37 on Sept. 17, played the past two seasons with the Dallas Stars. He had 11 goals and 18 assists in 76 games in 2014-15.

After helping the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup, center Antoine Vermette returned to the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday, signing a two-year contract.

Vermette, who spent parts of four seasons with the Coyotes before being traded to the Blackhawks on Feb. 28, scored four goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, including two game-winners in the Final that helped Chicago defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games for its third title in six years.

The contract is worth $7.5 million, an average annual value of $3.75 million, according to multiple media reports.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings got the right-handed shooting defenseman with offensive ability they have been seeking for so long, plus a skilled veteran center with two Stanley Cup championships, on Wednesday.

Detroit signed free agent defenseman Mike Green to a three-year, $18 million contract and center Brad Richards to a one-year contract guaranteed for $3 million but that could be worth $4 million with bonuses, according to TSN.

"Both players have high hockey IQ's, great stick skills, and can play the give-and-go type of game that that we like to play," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Wednesday. "We're excited to have both Brad and Mike with our organization."