Capitals GM: Green will be re-signed if he's comfortable with role, pay grade

Mike Green's days with the Washington Capitals may be finished.

The veteran defenseman is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, and general manager Brian MacLellan - who spoke Monday following his team's playoff elimination at the hands of the New York Rangers - indicated Green will only be brought back under certain conditions.

"It's going to come down to if he's comfortable with that role and what you pay for that role," he said.

Green averaged the fifth-highest ice time among Capitals defensemen in both the regular season and playoffs. While he finished second to John Carlson in regular-season points from Washington blue-liners, with 45 in 72 games, he contributed only two assists in 14 playoff contests.

The 29-year-old has battled various injuries that have limited his production in recent seasons, and his numbers have been well down from his two 70-plus point years in 2008-10. Meanwhile, the club made significant, long-term commitments to the likes of Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik last summer, meaning Green may have to accept the proverbial hometown discount in order to remain with the only team's he's ever played for.

On the other hand, Green proved he can still put up numbers, and, at age 29, he could have many productive years still ahead of him. As such, it's possible that a team in need of help on the blue line - the Edmonton Oilers or Philadelphia Flyers, for example - will come calling with the kind of deal he's looking for, ending his tenure with the Capitals.