As always, day one of NHL Free Agency brings excitement for the new season, as well as intrigue as new players come in for spots across an organization.

It was not a slow July 1 for the Washington Capitals, as they secured five new players. Two, in RHD Vincent Desharnais and C/LW Boone Jenner, are locked in Capitals. Desharnais signed a four-year contract, worth $4.2 million a year, while Jenner also signed a four-year contract, worth $5.75 million a year.

The Capitals other three signings today however provide some intrigue for Hershey. Forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Josh Dunne each signed a one-year, $850,000 contract, while RHD Justin Holl signed a one-year, $900,000 contract. None of these players are guaranteed spots in Washington, but all three are on one-way contracts, meaning there would be no difference in their salary no matter where they end up.

It seems plausible that all three could end up in Hershey for the 26-27 season. Holl spent the majority of last season with Grand Rapids, and while Brodzinski and Dunne spent most of last year in the NHL, with the Capitals current set up, at least one of them will have to come down at this rate. Holl may depend on if Washington signs an NHL-level LHD for depth as well, as Holl and Dylan McIlrath are the next up for the Caps and both are RHD.

The main question there is if Washington thinks both Holl and McIlrath can coexist on the Capitals roster at the same time or if it will be a battle between one space between those two players.

It is almost certainly a battle for a spot between Dunne and Brodzinski, if one exists. The Capitals currently have 15 forwards signed to one-way contracts right now, meaning at most only one spot exists for an extra forward, barring either a trade from Washington. Ovi-watch comes into effect here as well, as if he comes back, there is not really a spot even upstairs for either player. That will be something interesting to watch develop over the next few days and possibly the entire summer.

If all three do end up in Chocolatetown, it would be a massive investment into the Bears this upcoming year by Washington, as all three players combined would cost the Capitals $2.6 million in salary this season. All three would also take up veterans spots and would provide huge leadership and ability boosts for the 26-27 Bears. More moves are sure to come, whether through two-way contracts or AHL level deals, but as it stands, this should be seen as a good start to the offseason for Hershey.