WASHINGTON -- The Capitals re-signed center Jeff Halpern, defenseman Brendan Witt and eight other restricted free agents Monday.
Also re-signed were centers Brian Sutherby and Graham Mink, right wingers Stephen Peat and Brian Willsie, defensemen Steve Eminger, Shaone Morrisonn and Nolan Yonkman, and goaltender Maxime Ouellet.
Halpern and Witt are two of the few core veterans remaining from the Capitals' pre-lockout team, although Witt has said he would like to be traded. Owner Ted Leonsis plans to rebuild the team with youth and keep his payroll near the low end of the NHL's new salary cap range in the upcoming season.
Teams must have payrolls between $21.5 million and $39 million.
Halpern has 76 goals and 94 assists in five seasons with the Capitals. Witt has also spent his entire NHL career with Washington, playing nine seasons with 19 goals and 53 assists in 568 games.
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