Joel Ward's agent: 'We would like to re-sign with Washington and come back'

Joel Ward wants to stay put.

The Washington Capitals forward, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, would love to stay in the American capital, according to his agent.

"Washington is his first choice over going to unrestricted free agency,” Ward's agent Peter Cooney told Alex Prewitt of The Washington Post. "We would like to re-sign with Washington and come back. Our door is open for the Capitals, absolutely first and foremost."

Ward, 34, is coming off a regular season that saw him score 19 goals and add 15 assists in 82 games, while also contributing nine postseason points.

His contract paid him $12 million over four years, and Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said another contract of that length "would be an issue."

"We’re not committed to going to unrestricted free agency," Cooney repeated. "(But) if we did go to July 1, it means nothing. Washington is still a player. That does not shut the door on Washington.

"I think it’s doable if they want Joel," Cooney said. "It’s a team that has a chance to win it all. Washington’s a hell of a fit for Joel."