The Capitals made move few moves this off-season, choosing to develop prospects as opposed to signing veteran free agents. Next year's roster is not going to be dramatically different, but the hunger is certainly greater.

Here's a look at the moves made around the Caps organization.

New Arrivals

Marcus Johansson (C) – The 19-year-old Swede, who was the 2009 first-round Capitals draft pick, was signed to a three-year entry level contract, and after an impressive development camp seems poised to enter the lineup. With the departures of centers Brendan Morrison and Eric Belanger, there may be room on the roster for Johansson.

D.J. King (LW) – In the one trade of the summer, the Capitals acquired enforcer D.J. King from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for prospect Stefan Della Rovere. King isn't much of a goal-scorer, but a tough fourth-liner who is not afraid to drop the gloves when needed. Huge at 6’3” and 230 lbs., King brings a toughness that has been missing since the departure of Donald Brashear. It seems to be purely coincidental that the Caps brought him in only shortly after "douchegate."

Dany Sabourin (G) – With the exit of Jason Bacashihua, the Hershey Bears found themselves in need of another goaltender. Enter Dany Sabourin, 29, who spent last season with the Providence Bruins and was the top AHL goalie while with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2005-06. He signed a one-year, two-way contract and is expected to spend the season in Hershey, fighting for the starting goalie spot with Braden Holtby.

Brian Willsie (RW) – The veteran returns to Hershey/Washington after signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Capitals. With the Capitals during Alex Ovechkin's rookie season, Willsie was Ovechkin's first road roommate. But it's doubtful that the two will reunite. Willsie is expected to be in Hershey, where he led the team in goals in 2002-03 with 29.

Sticking Around

Nicklas Backstrom (C) – In the earliest signing of the year, the Capitals didn't want to wait long to lock up Backstrom. The 22-year-old Swede signed a 10-year, $67 million extension that guarantees at least 10 more glorious years of the Backstrom-Ovechkin dream team. Backstrom ramped up his scoring this past season, shooting the puck more often instead of passing. It paid off – he scored a career-high 33 goals, while still recording 68 assists, and surpassing 100 points for the first time.

Eric Fehr (RW) – Famously announcing his new deal from his Twitter page, Fehr, 24, was re-signed by the Capitals to a two-year, $4.4 million deal. Fehr is coming off his best season yet as a Capital, scoring 21 goals, and of all NHL players with over 20 goals, had the least amount of ice time. With his improved production and increasing confidence, he'll probably be seeing more ice time next season.

Tomas Fleischmann (LW/C) – Signed to a new contract the evening before his arbitration hearing, Fleischmann hopes to become the second-line center the Capitals so desperately need. But not so fast. Fleischmann has yet to prove that he can be a reliable center with the production to justify a spot on the second line. And with his 43.1% face-off percentage, his skills at center don't inspire a lot of confidence. But he has a new one-year, $2.6 million contract to demonstrate that he can fill that void and bring the consistency the Capitals need from him.

Boyd Gordon (C) – Despite back spasms that have plagued him for several years and caused him to miss 46 games last season, Gordon was signed for another year at a cap hit of $800,000. Gordon is impressive in the face-off circle, winning 61% of his draws. He's also a key member of the penalty kill: in the playoff series with Montreal, Gordon scored one goal and recorded one assist – both while shorthanded. Provided Gordon can keep his back problems under control, he'll continue to be a valuable member of the team.

Jeff Schultz (D) – Another Capital coming off his strongest season yet, Schultz signed a four-year extension with a $2.75 million cap hit in each year. Schultz stepped up his defensive game last season, leading the league in +/- with an astounding +50 rating. He also led the team in blocked shots with 129. Schultz was all too happy to spend another 4 years with the Capitals: "This is a team that's been doing better every year and on the rise and I'd like to be part of that."

Departures

Eric Belanger (C) – Belanger had impressive face-off stats in Minnesota, but it didn't translate to his experience with the Caps. After losing eight teeth in the series with Montreal, the Caps did not re-sign him and he remains a UFA.

Joe Corvo (D) – A pickup from the Caps at the trade deadline last season, Corvo did not have the success he found in the Carolina Hurricanes system. Becoming a UFA at the end of the season, Carolina signed him back for another two years.

Milan Jurcina (D) – After a strange situation that sent Jurcina to the Columbus Blue Jackets with Chris Clark in exchange for Jason Chimera in December, the Capitals re-acquired Jurcina at the trade deadline. However, he suffered a sports hernia injury during the Olympics and never played a game for the Capitals after the trade. He became a UFA at the end of the season and was signed by the New York Islanders to a one-year contract.

Brendan Morrison (C) – Morrison was a good pickup for the Capitals, but ultimately did not produce as much as he was expected. To make room, presumably for Marcus Johansson, Morrison was not re-signed by the Caps and has not yet been signed by another team.

Shaone Morrisonn (D) – The defenseman who had improved in recent years was not offered a new contract with the Capitals, and was subsequently signed by the Buffalo Sabres to a two-year, $4.15 million contract. In Morrisonn, the Caps lose a solid defenseman who does his job. But it's also important to note that the Capitals are gaining promising young defensemen John Carlson and Karl Alzner in the lineup.

Jose Theodore (G) – After an emotional season, which culminated in being awarded the Masterton Trophy, Jose Theodore said that George McPhee was not intending to sign him to a new contract. This leaves the task of guarding the crease to 22-year-olds Semyon Varlamov and two-time Calder Cup winner Michal Neuvirth.

Scott Walker (RW) – Acquired at the trade deadline from the Carolina Hurricanes, Scott Walker was often scratched and played limited minutes for the Capitals. Last season he played nine games with the Caps and had three points. He is still un-signed.

News and Notes

Semyon Varlamov will change his jersey number next year from 40 to 1. It seems he's sending a message that he should be the top goalie over Michal Neuvirth.

After the Hershey Bears' second consecutive Calder Cup win, Jay Beagle, Andrew Gordon, Andrew Joudrey, Patrick McNeill, and Zach Miskovic were signed to new contracts. Chris Bourque, the 2010 Calder Cup MVP, decided to turn down his qualifying offer and signed a two-year contract with HK Atlant of the KHL. Captain and UFA Bryan Helmer has not been re-signed. It's been speculated that Brian Willsie's return to Hershey may result in Willsie getting the "C."