The Washington Capitals were one of the quieter teams this offseason after their worst season in over 15 years. They did add Max Pacioretty in free agency, but he’s projected to miss the first couple of months of 2023-24 as he recovers from his second consecutive Achilles tendon injury. Aside from that, their forward group, which boasted just two 20-goal scorers last season, essentially remains unchanged. While injuries took a significant toll on the team’s performance, a number of important scorers, such as Evgeny Kuznetsov, Anthony Mantha and T.J. Oshie, had down seasons.
With captain Alex Ovechkin still in the fold and chasing the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record, general manager Brian MacLellan has made it clear on numerous occasions that he doesn’t plan to let the team slip out of competitiveness while Ovechkin is still active. Speaking with reporters virtually today, MacLellan said he’s still making calls in pursuit of a top-six forward before training camps open next month. Those calls are likely being made in conjunction with trying to find a home for Kuznetsov, who the Capitals confirmed last month has requested a trade.
Adding Pacioretty on a one-year, $4MM bonus-laden deal should add a fair amount of goals if he stays healthy. After all, Pacioretty was on pace for 40 goals with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021-22, but various injuries limited him to 39 games played that season. Given his quite extensive recent struggles to stay in the lineup, though, it’s unfair to pin much, if any, responsibility on Pacioretty to help elevate the Capitals back to the postseason. With the aging Nicklas Bäckström’s health in question, too, it quickly becomes clear why MacLellan feels a sense of urgency to add an impact player to the team’s top-six group. Given Bäckström likely shouldn’t be relied upon for second-line minutes at this stage in his career, a Kuznetsov replacement down the middle should be top of mind for MacLellan.
That being said, top-six centers don’t grow on trees. It’ll be quite a challenge for MacLellan to mine one via trade this late in the offseason after most of the dust has settled.
One has to wonder if MacLellan has been in conversation with the Calgary Flames regarding Elias Lindholm if he opts not to sign an extension with his current team. A Kuznetsov/Lindholm swap (including other assets heading to Calgary) with extensions attached to both sides could line up well with both teams’ missions to stay competitive throughout some roster turmoil. The 28-year-old Lindholm has 146 points in 162 games over his last two seasons with the Flames and would be a remarkable defensive upgrade, as well as in the faceoff circle, over Kuznetsov. The latter’s 44% career win percentage in the dot pales in comparison to Lindholm’s 53% win rate.
There’s also the matter of Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele, who finishes out the trio of top-six centers you’ll hear thrown around on the trade market at this stage. The same circumstances would likely need to apply here as a Lindholm trade with extensions in hand for Kuznetsov and Scheifele with their new teams. While Scheifele wouldn’t aid much of Washington’s defensive woes down the middle with Kuznetsov, he would add a much more significant secondary goal-scoring punch to Ovechkin. He’s coming off a career-best 42-goal season and has scored 30 goals on two other occasions. He has a $6.125MM cap hit this season before his contract expires in 2024, but could block a trade to Washington if he so chooses if he includes the Capitals on his ten-team no-trade list.
Any trade speculation involving a top-six forward for the rest of the offseason will include Kuznetsov, Lindholm and Scheifele until proven otherwise. For Washington, needing to make a move like this to stay competitive is some unfortunate timing. They have pieces with intriguing long-term potential, like Connor McMichael, but their solid drafting in recent seasons just hasn’t caught up to them yet. If they want an impact player now to help bridge the gap between Ovechkin and the next Washington core, as well as keep them in the playoff race during the short term, it’ll need to come via trade.
The window has closed loudly and firmly on the Caps, Now days they are just getting older and spinning there wheels.
I don’t think so. It is not going to be the star studded roster of yore , but there is enough talent in the system to expect a breakout this season & I think it may not be a top 6 forward but we could see a nice middle line center come in to ease the pressure. and if just two of the remaining forwards return to form we could see some surprising result.
In 2017 the Caps weren’t supposed to male the playoffs & won the division under similar circumstances [age wise]
Should have traded Kuznetsov at the deadline last year and then they would have the money to sign Tarasenko this offseason. He didn’t have a great season last year (crazy to think he had the same pt as Kadri) but if Kevin Hayes can be traded (same age and same contract) WASH could have traded Kuznetsov
I dont know if i believe Washington is completly out of it. They easily could come in to finish anywhere from 5th-10th out of the east and no one would blink an eye. Also if patches and Ovi scored anywhete from 50-90 goals between them it would be a big surprise either. So while the whole season doesnt fall on those 2 they can make a huge impact, or preform as middle 6 player
If anyone trades for Kuznetsov after his last two years , and especially last year, they would have to be out of their minds
st Louis traded for Hayes who has the same contract and the same age. Colorado traded l for Johansen is 1 year older and has a larger cap hit then Kuznetsov and he was also injured last season. Kadri is 1 year younger then Kuznetsov and got a 7yr 7mil deal and put up the same pts as Kuznetsov last year. Teams are crazy but it is possible and WASH should have done it already
Nashville retained half of Johansen’s contract. Colorado’s cap hit is $4 million which is less than Kuznetzov’s.
Lindholm or Scheifele will cost the Caps more than some chump change. But either of these players would be an excellent addition to the Caps. If they can add a forward of this calibre and some additional defensive help, I would not count the Caps out. With a couple quality adds, they are primed for a rebound.
What if they trade kuznetsov for more goal scoring and acquired
Davorak from MTL. Dvorak gives them the better defender and faceoff middle 6 center they would like to have and the Kuznetsov Trade brings in more scoring.
Kuznetzov can’t sign an extension as he is signed for two seasons. I don’t know why Calgary or Winnipeg would want Kuznetzov, especillay at his cap hit the next two seasons. Calgary can’t afford Kuznetzov’s cap hit either. They are already over the cap & Kuznetzov makes more than Lindholm. It would have to involve more & that’s difficult for the Caps because they have cap issues. A trade between the two sides is difficult
Important correction here re: Kuznetsov’s extension eligibility
Sounds like they should give Tatar a call (if they haven’t already).
This site predicted the Capitals would pick him up. Maybe their crystal ball was on tape delay.
Bird man has a M-NTC so you guys know what that means.
WPG nor CGY can make this trade
It’s a ten team no trade list. Winterpeg and Cowtown could both be on it, but who knows? That doesn’t preclude a third team getting involved, who would receive Kuznetsov.
Didn’t they just extend and overpay Dylan Strome last season to be that guy?
Don’t follow hockey much, do you? Strome was signed for $3 million last year, and produced 65 points. Similar scoring players were Alex Debrincat, who had a $6.4 mill cap hit, Brayden Schenn, whose cap hit was $5.2 mill, and Vincent Trochek, whose hit was $5.6 mill. Strome’s extension is a $5 mill cap hit. He is not overpaid, he salary is in line with, or below, many other 65 point scorers. He’s also only 25 years old.
You should watch this game a little more, and increase your woeful lack of knowledge. This game is quite fascinating.
I forgot…pedantric drip incels can’t tell a one dimensional secondary scorer from an actual above average player who can help a team win when it matters.
All good.