Washington Capitals Bring Back Former 2nd-Rounder, UFA Brett Leason

The Washington Capitals have brought back a familiar face, signing their former second-round draft pick Brett Leason to a one-year, two-way contract.

Capitals announced they are bringing back forward Brett Leason, signed him to one-year, two-way contract: average annual value of $775,000 at the NHL level and $250,000 in the AHL. The Capitals place Leason on waivers for the purpose of loaning him to the Hershey (AHL).
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) October 27, 2025

It's a minimum AAV of $775,000 for his time with the big club, and $250,000 in the AHL, which is where he's headed to begin his second stint with the organization. The Caps have placed Leason waivers for the purpose of loaning him to the Hershey Bears.

Leason began his pro career in Hershey in 2019-20 after being a second-round selection of the Capitals in the 2019 NHL Draft (56th overall). The right-winger made his NHL debut in 2021-22, playing 36 games with Washington, producing six points and a +1 rating in just under nine minutes of ice time per night.

The 6’5”, 220-pound forward spent the last three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, mainly in a bottom-six role, often on the fourth line, as well as serving on the penalty-killing unit. He totaled 48 points in 184 games with the Ducks, with a -30 rating in 12:23 average TOI.

He signed a PTO with the Minnesota Wild in September after Anaheim did not tender him a contract after last season. Leason played in all of the Wild's preseason games, but was released from his PTO at the end of camp.

The 26 year-old is now back where it all began for him, with the Capitals.