Burakovsky’s time in Washington could be running out
Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post: Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan has a history of tinkering with their roster leading up to the trade deadline.
There has been plenty of speculation around forward Andre Burakovsky. He’s been a healthy scratch and team have checked in on his availability.
Burakovsky is a pending restricted free agent that would require a $3.25 million qualifying offer.
MacLellan would be looking for immediate help instead of draft picks or prospects.
“I mean, it’s important for us to have as much depth as we can down the stretch and into the playoffs and to be healthy,” he said. “That would be ideal.”
Forward Jakub Vrana is also a pending restricted free agent. MacLean said that they could start contract extension talks with Vrana’s camp later this month.
“I think since we drafted him he’s been a big priority,” MacLellan said. “He’s an offensive, skilled guy that we’re just starting what he can do in the NHL. We want to have him around for a long time. . . . I think in January here, it’s a normal progression that we start talking to his side and see if there’s some common ground that can get done, and if not, you wait until the end of the season. You don’t want it to be a distraction on what we have going down the stretch.”
Tom Gulitti of NHL.com: Capitals GM Brian MacLean doesn’t see any glaring holes in their lineup.
“I don’t think we have any glaring weaknesses we’re going to try to address,” MacLellan said. “Normally, we’re looking for defensive help and defensive depth, you know, your five, six, seven guys. I feel comfortable where we’re at there, barring injury. I think our forward group is pretty solid. We have a lot of options that the coaches can use there.
“I think the only thing we’re going to look for is, is there a hockey trade to be made, salary for salary, player for player in the forward group?”
Don’t look for the Capitals to trading lots of futures at the deadline.
“I think we’d be a little more conservative on giving assets away,” MacLellan said. “(In 2015-16 and 2016-17) we’d spend anything to get whatever .”
MacLean adds that teams are talking to see what’s available and what the costs might be.