While former Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan made some big acquisitions this offseason through trade, he also made a crucial free agent signing on July 1. He signed defender Matt Roy to a six-year contract worth $34.5 million. Roy previously spent parts of his first six NHL campaigns with the Los Angeles Kings. He will be another significant contributor on the backend for the Capitals, as they try to make the 2025 playoffs and go on a postseason run.
Matt Roy’s Career in L.A.
Matt Roy was drafted by the Kings in the seventh round (194th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He developed his career both in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Indiana Ice, as well as in the NCAA in the Michigan Tech program. Roy spent parts of a few seasons in the AHL with L.A.’s affiliate, the Ontario Reign. During his time in the AHL, he produced the following stats:
- 2016-17: one assist in eight games
- 2017-18: four goals and 13 assists for 17 points in 49 games
- 2018-19: eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points in 45 games
Roy made his NHL debut with L.A. during the 2018-19 season. He played in 25 games, where he scored two goals and notched four assists for six points. He played his first full season with the Kings in 2019-20. In 70 games, Roy scored four goals and tallied 14 assists for 18 points. His offense has gradually improved over his time in the league. From the 2020-21 until last season, Roy contributed the following points for the Kings:
- 2020-21: two goals and eight assists for 10 points in 44 games
- 2021-22: two goals and 19 assists for 21 points in 67 games
- 2022-23: nine goals and 17 assists for 26 points in 82 games
- 2023-24: five goals and 20 assists for 25 points in 81 games
Roy’s career high remains from the 2022-23 campaign with 26 points. The 29-year-old also has played in 18 playoff games with L.A. In that span of time, he scored a goal and provided five assists for six points.
Matt Roy Joining a Solid Capitals Blue Line
Roy now joins a Capitals’ defense who could be very effective for the club in 2024-25. Brian MacLellan also acquired defenseman Jakob Chychrun from the Ottawa Senators on the same day he signed Roy. Both players join a blue line that already featured John Carlson, Rasmus Sandin, Martin Fehervary, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Ethan Bear, and Alexander Alexeyev. Roy and Sandin are the only defensemen Washington has locked up for the long-term. Both blueliners are under contract until at least 2029.
Washington has a solid top-four to roll with in Carlson, Chychrun, Roy, and Sandin for the 2024-25 season. Some want to criticize Carlson that he’s older now and not what he used to be. He put up 10 goals and 42 assists for 52 points in 82 games in 2023-24. Those are some good numbers.
Matt Roy may not produce as much offensive stats like Carlson or Chychrun, but he strengthens the blue line with his game. His offense will be good on a second pairing. Head coach Spencer Carbery will possibly create Carlson-Chychrun as the first pairing, while Roy-Sandin is the second. Carbery could also roll with Carlson-Sandin and Roy-Chychrun. There is an unknown there with how Roy and Chychrun could play together. Training camp and the preseason will grant coaching and the fans a look at who clicks best with who.
Overall, I believe this defense has a lot of skill. Matt Roy should provide the Capitals’ blue line with solid defensive play. He is someone Carbery can look to as a penalty killer as well. That, along with his fair share of offensive production, and Washington should have a reliable top four when also factoring in the talents of Chychrun, Carlson, and Sandin.
