Capitals sign Justin Williams to 2-year, $6.5 million contract

The Washington Capitals were busy on the opening day of NHL free agency on Wednesday.

But the biggest move was veteran defenseman Mike Green agreeing to a three-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. He departs after 10 seasons with Washington, the team that drafted him in the first round in 2004.

And late Wednesday, the team announced it signed three-time Stanley Cup winner Justin Williams to a two-year, $6.5 million contract. The right winger won the Stanley Cup once with the Carolina Hurricanes and twice with the Los Angeles Kings and took the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs in 2014.

The 33-year-old had 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) in 81 games with the Kings last season.

He has collected 582 points (227 goals, 355 assists) in 918 career NHL games over 14 seasons with Philadelphia, Carolina and Los Angeles.

In more moves, defenseman Taylor Chorney signed a one-year $700,000 contract with Washington. He's had seven points (one goal, six assists) and 16 penalty minutes in 68 games with Edmonton, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old appeared in seven games with the Penguins last season.

Forwards Carter Camper and Sean Collins, and defensemen Mike Moore and Aaron Ness signed one-year, two-way contracts with the Capitals.

In addition, Washington re-signed forward Stanislav Galiev to a two-year contract.

Green had 113 goals and 247 assists in 575 regular-season games, and was the runner-up for the Norris Trophy following the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

''Mike was an ultimate professional in his long tenure with our organization and had a huge impact on our community,'' the Capitals said in a statement.

Galiev, 23, signed a two-year, $1.15 million contract. He played in two games with the Capitals last season, scoring one goal.

Camper, 26, had scored one goal in three games with the Boston Bruins.

The 26-year-old Collins had three assists in 19 games with Columbus.

Moore, 30, had scored one goal and had seven penalty minutes in six games with the San Jose Sharks.

Ness, 25, had three points (one goal, two assists) in 29 games with the New York Islanders.