Eric Belanger: Eric Belanger Signs With Phoenix Coyotes

Eric Belanger: Eric Belanger Signs With Phoenix Coyotes:

Eric Belanger signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday.

Belanger, a free agent at the end of last season, had agreed to a deal in principle worth $1.85 million with the Caps last month, according to multiple sources. But the move was contingent on a roster move that never happened and eventually fell through.

Belanger, 32, was acquired at the trade deadline last March from the Minnesota Wild. He had two goals and five assists for Washington in 24 games, including the first-round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, and finished the year ranked ninth overall in faceoff percentage (56.4 percent).

Caps general manager George McPhee declined comment through a team spokesman last month and the team never confirmed the deal. Washington enters training camp Saturday with openings at second and third-line center.

Forward Tomas Fleischmann played part of last season at that spot. Mathieu Perreault had 16 goals and 50 points at center for AHL champion Hershey in 2009-10. He also scored four goals in 21 games for the Caps. Rookie center Marcus Johansson, 19, is trying to make the jump from the Swedish Elite League to the NHL. He was the Caps’ first-round draft pick in 2009. David Steckel and Boyd Gordon are two other veteran centers expected to make Washington’s final roster. Keith Aucoin is another center under contract. The 31-year-old had 35 goals and 106 points for Hershey last season.

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