Team: 2024-25 Washington Capitals

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 29, 2024

Published: Apr. 29, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Per me and Elliotte, the Capitals need scoring. If the first half of the regular season and the playoffs showed us, it's that Ovechkin can't carry the team like he used to. And that's not a slight towards him, because it's insane to ask a 38 year old with around 1600 career games (regular and postseason) to keep being the backbone of offense. Ovechkin was the only 30 goal scorer. Strome had 27. That's it for guys with 20+ goals. It's going to be tough to balance again staying competitive while helping Ovechkin chase Gretzky, but it's possible if we cushion Ovechkin and take some of the load off him to lead the team in scoring.

What are the options?
INTERNAL SOLUTIONS
- It's about time Ethen Frank gets a shot. He could provide offense on the 4th line, move around where needed
- Miro should get a full year. That'll be easier without Pacioretty eating up minutes

UFAs
- It's an older class, which doesn't bode well for the Caps. My idea is they sign players who are 26-28 years old for 2-4 year deals. Because they're shorter term, they may need to cough up more money. For this, I'm looking at guys like DeBrusk, Foegele, Roslovic, and Duclair.

RFAs
- This is where it gets interesting. First things first, they should ALWAYS try to acquire RFA rights before tendering offer sheets. For RFA targets, they should look at guys who are either going to potentially price themselves out OR lack a consistent lineup spot on competitive teams. So, that leaves names Mittelstadt, Necas, Jarvis, Perfetti, Robertson, Kakko, Lundell, Kaliyev, Holloway. I'll throw out Marchenko, Texier, and Tolvanen too.
- If the Capitals do tender an offer sheet, the most they could do is give up a 1st, 2nd, 3rd. I would absolutely risk that on Seth Jarvis. He's probably the only one, and could be interesting since idk Carolina can afford him and Guentzel and Necas
- While their rights aren't up, I wonder about guys like Rossi, where they haven't quite worked out so far. Obviously, no rush but something to watch

TRADES
- They need to target guys on expiring deals or with 2 years left. There's also some risk-taking deals. Same age as UFAs, 24-28 years old
- Laine is a gamble. Expensive contract for 2 more years. Perhaps he'd be a bit cheaper this offseason, but if he hits, that'd be a major win.
- idk what the Flyers are doing exactly. Do the Caps try to get Konecny?
- Höglander is a year away from being an RFA. He'd get a raise, but Boeser is also a year away from UFA. Boeser would eat up a lot more salary, so Höglander could be a cap casualty
- Ehlers is a prime candidate. 1 year left on his deal for $6million dollars and 28 years old. For one year, if he can provide some offense and we're competitive, great. I wouldn't be upset letting him walk so someone else can give him a long-term deal. If we aren't competitive, he'd be a good trade chip at the deadline. Maybe Iafallo for similar reasons, although he's older and less productive
- There's also the Utah factor. Players seemed warm to the idea of staying there. If there's anyone, I'd like to target Crouse
- have to mention it because lol: Marner


Some trade chips:
- For the right person, this year's 1st round pick. 2025 2nd pick(s). 2024 & 2025 3rd round pick(s). Maybe a prospect like Suzdalev. You have to think one of van Riemsdyk/Jensen. Maybe Milano or Dowd.