While there clearly is renewed optimism among NHL players after their labour negotiations with the NHL on Friday, they realize a wide gulf remains on monetary issues as the sides battle for their share of revenue that reached $3.3 billion last season -- and Washington Capitals forward Troy Brouwer warns that the players won't capitulate. "We're very hopeful that something will happen, but … we're not going to sell ourselves short," former Chicago Blackhawks and current Capitals winger Troy Brouwer said. "We want a fair deal for both sides so that the league can be profitable and move forward as a phenomenal industry."

Troy Brouwer hopes there is an agreement between the NHL and NHLPA soon, but he first and foremost wants the owners to honor existing contracts. Some owners are banking on getting some sort of salary rollbacks on contracts signed prior to the lockout deadline. Players, obviously, are not fans of that idea. "As the owners say, they want rollbacks. And players aren't willing to take them," said Brouwer, who signed a new three-year, $11-million deal a week ago. "We're just asking owners to honor the contracts they've previously signed. In any other business in the world, that's perfectly acceptable. We're willing to halt our future growth so the league can catch up. But we're not interested in taking rollbacks."

Troy Brouwer has signed a three-year/$11 million extension with the Washington Capitals. Brouwer will make $2.35 million in the final season of his current deal. He'll then earn $3.6 million in 2013-14, $3.65 million in 2014-15, and $3.75 million in the final campaign of his new contract. "Troy is a physical and versatile power forward who can play both wings and who has averaged close to 20 goals in the past three seasons," Capitals GM George McPhee said. "He is a Stanley Cup winner and a great leader. We are thrilled that he will continue his career in Washington for many years to come."

Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal in a 4-3 victory against Boston Saturday afternoon. With that win, Washington has taken a 3-2 series lead and will get their first shot at eliminating the Bruins on Sunday. Alexander Semin, Jay Beagle, and Mike Knuble accounted for the Capitals' other three goals. Dennis Wideman, Marcus Johansson, Joel Ward, John Erskine, and John Carlson each registered an assist for Washington.

If the Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers in their regular-season finale today, and the Florida Panthers lose, Washington will take first place. We want to hopefully get some momentum because they could possibly be our first-round matchup," winger Troy Brouwer said. "You don't want to go into this game and be a little reluctant going in there and a little complacent. We're going to go in, we're going to try to win because we have a chance to clinch the division as well. . . . Even if we don't, we're hoping to get two points and get some momentum going into the first round."

Troy Brouwer scored two goals as the Capitals came back to beat the Islanders by a score of 3-2 in overtime Tuesday. Brouwer snapped a 14-game goalless drought with two markers in the final four minutes of the third period to send the contest to overtime where Alex Ovechkin ended it with his 26th.

Troy Brouwer scored a hat trick in Washington's 4-3 victory Friday night. Brouwer's final goal was scored on an empty net with a minute remaining in regulation time, but it still proved to be the winning goal. This is Brouwer's first career hat trick and it puts him just three goals shy from his 2010-11 total of 17. Look for Brouwer to end up with 20-25 goals this season.

Troy Brouwer (shoulder) will play in Friday's game. Brouwer missed two practices, but no playing time due to the ailment. He has two goals and five points in 10 games this season.

According to a source, Troy Brouwer's shoulder injury is not serious. The report said his shoulder did not suffer any structural damage and that he might be available to play this weekend. Brouwer did not practice on Wednesday, but that is being viewed as a precautionary move more than anything else.

Troy Brouwer did not practice on Wednesday after sustaining an apparent shoulder injury in Tuesday's game against Anaheim. He was forced to miss the final 4:34 of the contest, which included overtime, after a hit from Ducks blueliner Toni Lydman. Stay tuned.