Capitals Re-Sign Karl Alzner

As first reported by Caps senior writer Mike Vogel, the Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Karl Alzner to a two-year contract through the 2012-12 season.  The deal will have an annual salary cap hit of $1.285 million and is worth $2.57 million total.
This deal is simply fantastic.  Again, George McPhee has found a way to get a star player to sign for far less than what they would have gotten on the open market, and in doing so, stabilized the Caps' defense tremendously.  Even better is the fact that, pending a new CBA with similar restricted free agency rules next summer, Alzner will be a restricted free agent again when this deal expires.  That gives Washington continued control over him through that offseason.  One very surprising note, however: Alzner noted in his conference call Friday afternoon that there were "no other offers out there."  That is just absurd.
With this deal completed, the Caps are now $890,128 over the salary cap.  This problem will likely be solved by the removal of Tom Poti's contract from the books, one way or another.

In other news, day five of Development Camp was Friday at Kettler, with both groups going through drills as they prepared for Saturday's big scrimmage.  I wasn't able to go because I had to work today, but for observations on the day check out @RinkRebel on twitter.  New Cap Jeff Halpern also skated for the first time at KCI today - he was wearing a number 15 sticker on his Washington helmet.