The Capitals have signed restricted free agent forward Boyd Gordon to a one-year, $800,000 deal. Gordon received only a $40,000 raise over last season’s salary, but he’ll be an unrestricted free agent next season if the Caps can’t work out an extension in the coming year.

So who is Boyd Gordon? If you’ve been following the Caps as long as we have, you already know. Gordon was the Caps’ first-round draft pick in 2002, and has been with the organization ever since. On this young and dynamic club, that makes Gordon the Capitals’ longest tenured player. He was around back when the Caps signed Jaromir Jagr. In fact, they were briefly linemates.

While Jagr now serves as a figurehead for Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League, Gordon is still quietly making differences for the Capitals. Last year, he won 61 percent of his few faceoffs, posted ten points, twelve penalty minutes and a plus-four defensive rating, while playing against opponents’ best offensive players. That defensive rating is usually negative for guys who play against top lines. Gordon’s quick footwork and solid positioning help him stay ahead of the NHL’s fastest and best — a big key to the Caps’ even-strength success last season.