The Washington Capitals re-signed right wing Devante Smith-Pelly to a one-year extension worth $1 million, the team announced Thursday. The deal came just three days after the team chose not to tender a qualifying offer to the 26-year-old. Without a qualifying offer, Smith-Pelly had been scheduled to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent Sunday.

“He’s become a big part of the team,” Caps GM Brian MacLellan said earlier this month. “He brings good energy, he’s a good teammate, he’s well-liked. I mean, you could tell teammates really migrate toward him and like him.”

Smith-Pelly was one of the Capitals’ top players during their run to the Stanley Cup, scoring seven goals in 24 playoff games to match his regular season total.

COYOTES: Arizona signed defenseman Kevin Connauton to a two-year contract extension.

SABRES: Once the shock of being traded wore off, Conor Sheary put aside his past of playing alongside Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and began eagerly looking ahead to what might be in store.

“I wasn’t expecting it, but at the same time you have to look at the positives,” Sheary said a day after the Buffalo gave up a conditional fourth-round draft pick to acquire him and defenseman Matt Hunwick.

“I have to put my Pittsburgh years behind me now,” he said. “I’m super excited with the new chapter in my life.”

In Buffalo, Sheary gets the opportunity to recreate his role as a play-making, two-way forward on a line centered by Jack Eichel.