Report: Last minute signing on the day of arbitration hearing.

They don't come down any closer to the wire than this.

With their arbitration hearing schedule to take place today the Washington Capitals and forward Marcus Johansson both knew that they were very likely in for a tough fight. That may have very well been the catalyst that managed to get both sides together just hours before the hearing to work out a deal.

The Capitals have signed Johansson to a new contract, with both sides agreeing to a three year deal barely avoiding the arbitration process that has so often put a strain on relationships between player and club. General Fanager reports that the deal is worth $13.75 million over those three years with the average annual value breaking down to $4.583 million per season.

It doesn't appear Johansson is likely to be playing anywhere other than Washington either, with the final two years of his deal including a no-trade clause that only requires him to submit a list of 5 approved teams.

[pub]