The Washington Capitals have added some depth for the playoffs, signing Brian Pinho to a two-year entry-level contract. Pinho just finished his senior season with Providence College, and will report to the Capitals right away. The deal will begin in 2017-18 and Pinho will actually be eligible to play in the last few games or playoffs, meaning the first year will be burned right away. That’s the leverage the Capitals likely used to get him under contract, as he would have become an unrestricted free agent in August.
Pinho, 22, was second on Providence in scoring this season behind St. Louis Blues prospect Erik Foley, recording 32 points in 40 games. Though he didn’t project as an impact player in the NHL when the Capitals selected him 174th-overall in 2013, his excellent collegiate career has turned him into a legitimate prospect. While his solid stickhandling and playmaking ability can create opportunity for his teammates, there is also a willingness to go to the net that should benefit him at the next level.
Now listed at 6’1″ 191-lbs, Pinho has steadily increased his strength and stability to the point where he shouldn’t be overpowered in the NHL. While he might not step right into a lineup and be put on the special teams, he does have experience on the powerplay—where he played both net-front and left circle—and penalty kill.