When the Washington Capitals return from the NHL All-Star break and start their hectic run of 14 games in 31 days leading up to the deadline, it will depend on where they are in the Stanley Cup Playoff race. After a visit to the Dallas Stars on January 27, they have nine games remaining until their break, which includes a home-and-home this weekend against the New York Rangers. With the exception of the Columbus Blue Jackets, all of the teams in the Metropolitan Division are involved. The Capitals ought to be buyers if they can remain in the running. Given that they will have some salary cap space to work with and the relief of having forward Nicklas Backstrom on long-term injured reserve, they cannot afford to waste any more of the Alex Ovechkin era if they are in contention to make the playoffs. However, the Capitals won’t be searching for a straight rental. Instead, they would want to add a top-six forward with a contract or a guy in that mold who they think they can get back.
The Capitals must seriously consider selling if they fall in the standings. Their contracts with Joel Edmundson, Max Pacioretty, Anthony Mantha, and Nicolas Aube-Kubel are about to expire. T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov each have a year left on their contracts. In the event of a selloff this season, the Capitals would have the chance to increase the depth of their prospect and draft pick pools. For instance, on July 13, 2022, they traded their second-round pick to the Ottawa Senators in order to acquire Connor Brown; as a result, they are without one for the 2024 NHL Draft. Brown is now an Edmonton Oilers player.
In order to increase their prospects of making the playoffs and possibly having a successful spring run, the players must demonstrate to their management team that they are worthy buyers. Thus far, they’ve performed admirably by continuing in a race that I did not anticipate they would be in. In a month, let’s see where they are.