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The Washington Capitals have rewarded Mike Greenfor his outstanding season by signing the high-scoring defenseman on a four-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal were not released but sources close to the club said it was worth $21 million.

The club also signed veteran goaltender Jose Theodore on a two-year contract.

Theodore, 31, won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player in 2001-02 with Montreal and spent the last two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche.

Green, 22, scored 18 goals in 2007-08 to become the youngest player to lead all NHL defensemen in goals since Hall of Famer Paul Coffey in 1981-82.

Green, entering his third full season in the NHL, said the contract put a little bit of pressure on him to perform.

"But it also takes a lot of pressure off to know you're with the team and where you want to be," he said.

One of four Capitals to play in every game last season, Green finished seventh among NHL defensemen with 56 points. He was seventh in voting for the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman.

Reuters