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After taking an enormous step ahead within the 2024-25 season, the Washington Capitals hope that the expertise gained by their youthful gamers and some extra tweaks will assist them garner one other Stanley Cup from the Alex Ovechkin period.
With a number of areas of want following their five-game exit within the second spherical of the Stanley Cup Playoffs towards the Carolina Hurricanes, NoVa Caps begins their offseason protection by taking a look at who’s most probably to remain in Washington and transfer elsewhere in our annual post-season commerce tiers.
** NOTE: Any participant who performed an NHL sport this previous season or served it on long-term injured reserve is included
Untouchable
This part contains solely gamers who is not going to transfer from Washington underneath any circumstance.
Ovechkin (one 12 months, $9.5 million remaining on contract; no-movement clause) — Regardless of lacking 17 video games, Ovechkin, who will flip 40 on September 17, tied Buffalo Sabres heart Tage Thompson for third within the NHL with 44 targets and led Washington with a mean of 1.12 points-per-game (73 in 65). Ovechkin will virtually definitely grow to be the primary participant ever to attain 900 profession targets in October and it’s awfully powerful to think about him doing it in another jersey. The 2025-26 season will most likely be Ovechkin’s final within the NHL.
RW Tom Wilson (six, $6.5 million cap hit; 14-team no-trade clause) — The 31-year-old reaffirmed his standing as a top-line winger with a profession season the place he notched 33 targets and 65 factors in 81 video games. Wilson will seemingly grow to be Washington’s captain after subsequent season and nonetheless has the flexibility to alter a sport (and postseason sequence) together with his physicality (as we noticed in Recreation 4 within the group’s first-round Stanley Cup Playoff sequence vs. the Montreal Canadiens) and offensive prowess.
C Dylan Strome (three; $5 million) — The 28-year-old proved he might be a top-line heart on a contending group after setting career-highs in targets (29) and factors (82) for the third consecutive season. Strome, who tallied two targets and 11 factors in 10 postseason video games, might additionally very properly have top-of-the-line contracts within the NHL and has grow to be a giant a part of Washington’s tradition.
C Aliaksei Protas (4; $3.375 million) — The 24-year-old established himself as a top-six ahead after shattering his earlier profession highs with 30 targets, 36 assists, 66 factors, and a +40 ranking in 76 video games. Like Strome, Protas is on a really team-friendly deal and a giant piece of transitioning to the post-Ovechkin period.
C Connor McMichael (one; $2.1 million) — The 24-year-old additionally blossomed right into a top-six ahead after setting profession highs in targets (26), assists (31), factors (57), and video games performed (82). McMichael discovered a house on Washington’s second-line and can be in line for an enormous pay increase as he can grow to be a restricted free agent on July 1, 2026. He can be eligible to signal a contract extension as early as this upcoming July 1.
RW Ryan Leonard (two, $950,000) — The 20-year-old, who signed his entry-level contract on March 31 and was drafted eighth total by Washington in 2023, tallied an empty-net objective in 9 regular-season video games and an help in eight postseason video games. He was scratched twice within the second spherical. Leonard completed the season with 30 targets and 49 factors in 37 NCAA video games at Boston School. He’s Washington’s high prospect and an enormous a part of the group’s future.
Virtually Actually Staying
This part contains gamers who will stick round however they don’t play as huge of a job because the core gamers do.
LW Ivan Miroshnichenko (one, $950,000) — The twentieth total decide in 2022 and 21-year-old completed the season with 23 targets and 42 factors in 53 AHL video games and an empty-net objective and 4 factors in 18 NHL contests throughout his sophomore season in North America. Miroshnichenko is one other one of many Capitals’ extremely coveted prospects and has a whole lot of expertise however remains to be getting up to the mark from the 12 months he missed attributable to most cancers. He’ll seemingly seem in additional NHL video games subsequent season even when he isn’t up full-time.
G Logan Thompson (six, $5.8 million; 15-team no-trade clause) — The 28-year-old, who signed a long-term extension mid season, tied for ninth league-wide with a .910 save proportion, completed seventh with a 2.49 goals-against common, and pitched two shutouts in 43 regular-season video games, the place he completed with a 9.46 five-on-five anticipated goals-save above common and career-best 31-6-6 document. Thompson, Washington’s beginning goalie for the lengthy haul, was additionally stable within the postseason with a .917 save proportion, 2.41 goals-against common, and three.86 five-on-five anticipated goals-save above common.
D Jakob Chychrun (eight, $9 million; no-movement clause) — The 27-year-old, who signed a max-term extension close to the top of the regular-season, recorded 20 targets (third amongst NHL defensemen), 47 factors (tied with MacKenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames for sixteenth), a +17 ranking, .522 five-on-five Corsi-for proportion, .4872 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and .5249 five-on-five scoring chances-for proportion in 74 video games, the place he averaged 21:04 per sport, together with 2:15 on the ability play (each second amongst Washington defensemen). Chychrun, who can be relied closely upon for offense from the backend for years to come back with John Carlson’s contract set to run out after subsequent season, added three targets and 5 factors within the postseason.
D Martin Fehervary (one, $2.675 million) — The 25-year-old set NHL career-highs in assists (20), factors (25), plus-minus (+18), and video games performed (81) whereas additionally recording a .5087 five-on-five Corsi-for proportion, .5047 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and .5252 five-on-five scoring chances-for proportion in 81 video games earlier than present process a process on his proper knee on April 22 and getting shut down for the postseason. Fehervary averaged 19:00 per sport (fifth amongst Capitals blueliners), together with a team-leading 3:02 on the penalty kill, and his absence was noticeable within the second spherical. With Fehervary in his prime at an inexpensive cap hit, the Capitals will preserve him round after realizing how essential he actually is.
C Pierre-Luc Dubois (six, $8.5 million; no-movement clause) — The 26-year-old set career-highs with 46 assists, 66 factors, a +27 ranking, and .547 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion in 82 regular-season video games throughout his first full season after getting traded from the Los Angeles Kings for goaltender Darcy Kuemper on June 19. Dubois was deployed towards the opposite groups’ high strains and finally within the Selke Trophy dialog because the NHL’s finest defensive ahead in direction of the top of the marketing campaign. Though, his manufacturing light within the postseason with simply three helpers, he did his job in shutting down Nick Suzuki’s line towards the Montreal Canadiens within the first spherical. Dubois lastly discovered his dwelling within the NHL and it labored out fantastically for each the group and participant within the first season of the association.
C Nic Dowd (two, $3 million) — The 34-year-old, Washington’s high shut down ahead, tallied 14 targets, 27 factors, a .499 faceoff-winning proportion, .51 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and performed all 82 video games for the primary time in his 9 full NHL. Dowd simply signed a two-year contract extension on April 16.
D Rasmus Sandin (4, $4.6 million) — Whereas averaging 19:11 per sport (third amongst Capitals defensemen), together with 49 seconds on the ability play and 37 on the penalty kill, the 25-year-old recorded 4 targets, 30 factors, a +13 ranking, .4961 five-on-five Corsi-for proportion, .5299 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and .5181 five-on-five scoring chances-for proportion in his first full 82-game marketing campaign. The group see Sandin, who grew as a two-way defenseman over the previous season, as a giant a part of their future as they flipped the Boston Bruins’ 2023 first-round decide for him two years in the past and signed him to a five-year contract extension in March 2024.
G Charlie Lindgren (three, $3 million) — The 30-year-old went 20-14-3 with an .896 save proportion, 2.73 goals-against common, a shutout, and eight.78 five-on-five goals-saved beneath common in 39 regular-season video games. Lindgren, who signed a contract extension in March, appeared in a single postseason sport the place Thompson was injured however in any other case didn’t see the online within the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Whereas Thompson is the clear starter, the group values Lindgren as properly and sees their goaltending tandem as certainly one of their strengths transferring ahead.
LW Brandon Duhaime (one, $1.85 million) — The 28-year-old discovered a house in Washington after tallying 9 targets, 21 factors, and a .4921 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion in 82 video games. Duhaime was a mainstay with Dowd on Washington’s fourth-line and likewise introduced intangibles. Along with thriving on the ice, he introduced a whole lot of vitality to and match proper into the Capitals’ locker room. Duhaime, who additionally supplied some grit and gave Washington one other enforcer exterior of Wilson, notched three targets and 4 factors in 10 postseason outings. Duhaime grew to become a giant a part of Washington’s tradition and somebody the group will need to preserve round. It might not be stunning to see him signal a contract extension sooner or later (eligible beginning on July 1).
D Matt Roy (5, $5.75 million; 15-team no-trade clause) — The 29-year-old tallied three targets, 24 factors, a +18 ranking, .4877 five-on-five Corsi-for proportion, .499 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and .5147 five-on-five scoring chances-for proportion in 69 regular-season video games, the place he averaged 19:53 per sport, together with 1:45 (each third). Roy, who was introduced in to be a gentle presence on Washington’s backend, added two assists in 10 postseason video games. Even when he didn’t have the strongest exhibiting within the second spherical, the group signed Roy to a long-term extension just below 11 months in the past and can seemingly preserve him round for some time.
It Would Take An Overpayment
This part contains gamers who is not going to transfer baring a ridiculous commerce provide from one other group.
D Dylan McIlrath (two, $800,000) — The 33-year-old performed in solely 17 NHL video games, recording two helpers, a -3 ranking, .4227 five-on-five Corsi-for proportion, .4737 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and .4574 five-on-five scoring chances-for proportion whereas averaging 11:39 per sport. Washington simply prolonged McIlrath’s contract after he led the AHL’s Hershey Bears to a Calder Cup as group captain two seasons in the past. McIlrath is probably not an on a regular basis participant for the Capitals however the locker room loves him, he brings some grit and physicality when known as upon, and is a pacesetter.
RW Ethen Frank (one, $775,000) — The 27-year-old impressed on the NHL stage with 4 targets and 7 factors in 24 video games after opening the season with 20 targets and 28 factors in 35 AHL video games. Nonetheless, Washington confirmed that they don’t see Frank as an on a regular basis participant but after buying Anthony Beauvillier on the commerce deadline. Frank is a superb choice to have within the group and his contract turns right into a one-way deal for the 2025-26 season.
The Commerce Would Have To Enhance The Capitals
This part contains gamers who might be dealt in a blockbuster deal or create wage cap area for a giant transfer.
D John Carlson (one, $8 million; 10-team no-trade clause) — Whereas averaging a team-leading 23:34 per sport (together with 3:00 on the ability play, 2:51 on the penalty kill), the 35-year-old noticed his offense decline additional with 5 targets (though, he had a number of overturned), 51 factors, a +17 ranking, .5377 five-on-five Corsi-for proportion, .5412 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and .5382 five-on-five scoring chances-for proportion. Carlson can be eligible to signal a contract extension on July 1 and might even see his position proceed to say no with the Capitals transitioning to a youthful core. His contract could also be arduous to maneuver out and the group owes Carlson lots however his position and play are each on the downturn.
C Hendrix Lapierre (pending restricted free agent) — The 23-year-old, the twenty second total decide within the 2020 NHL Draft, was assigned to the AHL after beginning the season with eight assists in 27 NHL video games and was out and in of the Capitals’ lineup. Lapierre averaged a point-per-game (7-25-32 in 32) in Hershey however could have fallen down the pecking order after McMichael and Protas’ breakout seasons and the event of different prospects resembling Miroshnichenko, Andrew Cristall, and Ilya Protas. Washington traded for Lars Eller in November after Lapierre didn’t seize the third-line heart opening by the horns. It’s potential that Washington would come with the two-time Calder Cup Champion, who notched three assists in eight Calder Cup Playoff video games, in a deal for a top-six ahead however Lapierre additionally has a excessive ceiling, so it might be comprehensible in the event that they gave him one other kick on the can.
Open To Listening To Provides On
This part contains gamers who might transfer however the Capitals should not determined to commerce both.
D Trevor Van Riemsdyk (one, $3 million) — The 33-year-old had a powerful season with a objective, 21 factors, +20 ranking, .4891 five-on-five Corsi-for proportion, .4949 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and .5106 five-on-five scoring chances-for proportion whereas averaging 17:40 per sport (sixth), together with 1:34 on the penalty kill (fourth), in 82 contests. Van Riemsdyk added two assists in 10 postseason video games. Whereas Van Riemsdyk is dependable, a $3 million third-pairing defenseman who’s properly into his 30s can also be a simple place to look to if a group desires to chop some wage cap area.
Most Possible To Get Dealt
This part contains gamers who’re expendable based mostly on the truth that they may most probably be on the surface wanting in relating to cracking a full-time beginning roster spot within the fall.
LW Sonny Milano (one, $1.9 million) — The 29-year-old former sixteenth total decide from 2014 was restricted to simply three video games attributable to a poor begin to the season and an upper-body harm suffered on November 6. Milano appears to have fallen out of favor with Frank and a few of Washington’s finest prospects rising however buying and selling him proper now would virtually definitely not deliver again honest market worth. Only a 12 months in the past, Milano scored 15 targets regardless of enjoying in simply 49 video games and he has hit the double-digit objective whole 4 instances in his eight-season profession. He additionally hit 30 factors in consecutive seasons (34 in 66 with Anaheim Geese in 2021-22, 33 in 64 throughout his first season in Washington in 2022-23). It might be comprehensible if the Capitals overlook Milano’s low commerce worth and resolve to maneuver him anyway with Leonard and others in line for extra ice time however there’s undoubtedly some trade-off to weigh on this choice.
D Alexander Alexeyev (pending restricted free agent) — The 25-year-old appeared in simply eight regular-season video games however performed in all 10 postseason video games, the place he notched a -2 ranking, .4461 five-on-five Corsi-for proportion, .5401 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion, and .4787 five-on-five scoring chances-for proportion. Whereas Alexeyev was thrown right into a difficult place after Fehervary underwent surgical procedure, it’s going to be powerful for him to crack the opening evening lineup with seven different defensemen signed on the NHL roster for subsequent season. Like with Milano, the Capitals virtually definitely wouldn’t get honest market worth for Alexeyev in the event that they traded him and are going to must chew on the choice with what to do with him.
Pending UFAs
This part contains gamers who will hit the unrestricted free agent until Washington re-signs them or trades their rights forward of July 1 at 12 PM ET.
LW Andrew Mangiapane — The 29-year-old performed throughout Washington’s lineup and ended with 14 targets, 28 factors, and a .5338 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion in 81 video games. Mangiapane tallied a objective and an help in Washington’s postseason run. With the group in search of roster room to combine a number of prospects, Mangiapane will seemingly hit the unrestricted free agent market.
RW Taylor Raddysh —The 27-year-old notched seven targets, 27 factors, and a .5411 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion in 80 regular-season video games and one help in seven postseason video games. Nonetheless, Raddysh, who match into the Capitals’ fourth-line properly, discovered himself as a daily wholesome scratch following the arrival of Leonard on March 31. He’ll seemingly grow to be an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
C Lars Eller — The 36-year-old tallied six targets, 15 factors, a .51 faceoff-winning proportion, and .5421 five-on-five anticipated goals-for proportion in 63 regular-season video games with Washington after getting acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 12. Eller notched an help in 9 postseason video games however was scratched for Recreation 5 vs. Carolina with the group’s season on the road. The Capitals’ largest offseason precedence is upgrading on the third-line heart place (the place Eller performed) and the group can also be attempting to get youthful. Though Eller can be a legend in Washington endlessly for his heroics throughout the 2018 Stanley Cup run, it seems extremely seemingly that the group can be taking a look at different choices.
LW Anthony Beauvillier — Though the 27-year-old is the most probably of Washington’s unrestricted free brokers to re-sign with the Capitals, Beauvillier was wholesome scratched for a regular-season sport however slot in properly with two targets and 5 factors in 18 after getting acquired from Pittsburgh on March 7. He carried out properly within the postseason with two targets and 6 factors and was an especially priceless utility participant, enjoying all around the ahead lineup (together with on the Capitals’ high line). Whereas the match is there for each the group and participant, there are children knocking on the door for an even bigger position come the autumn so it might be comprehensible if the perimeters half methods.
Ought to #ALLCAPS re-sign Beauvillier (pending UFA)?
— Harrison Brown (@HarrisonB927077) Might 27, 2025
C Michael Sgarbossa — The 32-year-old appeared in simply three video games for Washington and already signed with HC Lugano. Sgarbossa tallied seven targets and 31 factors in 35 AHL outings.
C Nicklas Backstrom/RW T.J. Oshie — Each gamers spent the 2024-25 season on injured reserve (Backstrom: hip, Oshie: again). Backstrom final suited up on October 29, 2023 whereas Oshie final performed on April 28, 2024, when Washington bought swept by the New York Rangers within the first spherical of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Backstrom already signed a one-year contract with the SHL’s Brynas IF to renew his enjoying profession again dwelling in Sweden.
By Harrison Brown
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