Washington Capitals
· 2026-07-06
The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Jacob MacDonald to a one-year, two-way contract, announced by Senior Vice President and General Manager Chris Patrick.
MacDonald's contract will carry an average annual value of $850,000 at the NHL level and $525,000 in AHL.
The 33-year-old defenseman recorded 12 points in 17 games with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League last season.
MacDonald won the Eddie Shore Award as the American Hockey League’s best defenseman in the 2024-25 season, leading AHL blueliners with 55 points.
He was also named to the AHL First All-Star Team and represented the Pacific Division at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic.
The Washington Capitals, currently on a W4 streak, will look to integrate MacDonald into their lineup as they push for a stronger standing in the Eastern Conference.
With a 43-30 record as of July 6, 2026, the team is 9th in the conference.
MacDonald has registered 27 points in 135 career games with Florida, Colorado, and San Jose.
He made his NHL debut on October 6, 2018, with the Florida Panthers.
The two-time AHL All-Star has amassed 260 points in 357 career AHL games.
MacDonald began his professional career with the Elmira Jackals of the East Coast Hockey League.
He played collegiately at Cornell University, recording 21 points in 104 games over four seasons.
The signing of MacDonald is expected to bolster the Capitals' defense, providing a seasoned player with a strong track record in the AHL.
As the Capitals continue their push for a stronger standing in the Eastern Conference, the addition of MacDonald will be closely watched.
With his experience and skills, MacDonald is expected to make a significant contribution to the team.
The Capitals' current standing and recent winning streak make the signing of MacDonald a timely move.
MacDonald's ability to score goals and make assists will be a valuable asset to the Capitals.
The team's fans will be eager to see MacDonald in action, as he brings a new level of excitement to the lineup.