The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Ryan Leonard to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension, Senior Vice President and General Manager Chris Patrick announced today. Leonard’s contract will carry an average annual value of $10.5 million.
“We are extremely excited to sign Ryan to a long-term contract with our club,” said Patrick. “Ryan is a young and talented player who is still years away from entering his prime, and we believe he has tremendous potential to continue growing into an important player for our organization. While reaching his full potential will take time, we have been impressed with his work ethic and the way he continues to develop his game. We are confident in Ryan’s ability to continue improving as a hockey player, and we believe this agreement provides him with the opportunity to grow and develop within our organization while giving us the ability to keep a talented young player in our lineup for years to come.”
Leonard, 21, recorded 45 points (20g, 25a) in 75 games during his rookie season with the Capitals in 2025-26. Leonard became the eighth rookie in franchise history to record a 20-goal season and the first since Alex Ovechkin in 2005-06 (52g). Leonard’s 45 points were also the most by a Capitals rookie since Nicklas Backstrom in 2007-08 (69p). The 6’1”, 205-pound forward ranked third among NHL rookies in power-play points (14) and five-on-five goals (16) and fifth in goals, assists and points. In addition, Leonard’s 2.13 points per 60 at five-on-five ranked third among first-year players (min. 50 GP), and he was one of just two rookies and seven skaters overall to score 20 goals while averaging less than 15:00 of ice time per game.
Leonard, who was selected by the Capitals with the eighth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut on April 1, 2025, against the Boston Bruins after signing his entry-level contract the day prior. Leonard appeared in Washington’s final nine regular-season games of 2024-25, scoring one goal, and in eight Stanley Cup Playoff games, tallying one assist. In 84 career games with the Capitals, Leonard has recorded 46 points (21g, 25a).
Before joining the Capitals, Leonard played two seasons at Boston College, where he totaled 109 points (61g, 48a) in 78 games played. During his sophomore season in 2024-25, Leonard recorded 49 points (30g, 19a) in 37 games and led the nation in goals. Leonard, who scored 31 goals as a freshman, became the first NCAA player with back-to-back 30-goal seasons since Cam Atkinson in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and was one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.
The Amherst, Massachusetts native has represented the United States at the 2026 and 2024 IIHF World Championships and won back-to-back gold medals with Team USA at the 2025 and 2024 IIHF World Junior Championships. Leonard served as team captain at the 2025 World Junior Championship and was named tournament MVP and Best Forward after recording 10 points (5g, 5a) in seven games. Leonard also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2023 Under-18 World Championship, scoring the gold medal-clinching goal in overtime against Sweden.
