The Capitals announced today that they have re-signed winger Matt Bradley to a three year contract. Although the team did not release financial terms, Tarik El-Bashir is reporting the deal is worth $1 million dollars per year.

Though the dollar amount might seem a little high at first glance, the NHL’s continued growth in revenues has people projecting a $56.3 million cap for 2008-09 and the salaries of role player are growing accordingly: Aaron Asham (NJ) made $700,000 in 2007-08, and should make more as an unrestricted free agent in a market with a salary cap that has increased by 12%. Anaheim’s Travis Moen is under contract for $925,000 next year and Steve Begin (MTL) is slated to make 1.3 million.

Bradley, like the aforementioned players, is being paid not only for his grinding style of play and occasional offense, but for his penalty killing abilities. As a team Washington was 25th in the league in shorthanded situations last year and although David Steckel and Boyd Gordon should be back for the 2008-09 season, penalty killing experts Sergei Fedorov and Matt Cooke are unrestricted free agents on July 1st. Bringing back Bradley assures not only that the Capitals have depth and grit on the front line, but that they can shore up what was arguably their biggest weakness in 2007-08.

Bradley’s contract does have the potential to become problematic. While a commitment of one million dollars a season is by no means crippling, it is a significant enough sum to cause problems under certain circumstances and while the Capitals will benefit from having Bradley, his presnence isn’t worth significant sacrifices in other areas.