On the Washington Capitals …
Craig Custance of ESPN: Looking at the offseason priorities for the Washington Capitals.
1. Get RFA forward Evgeny Kuznetsov signed to a contract extension – Need to get Kuznetsov signed to a long-term contract extension. This would give them a better idea of how much money they have to work with to tweak the rest of their roster.
2. Don’t re-sign Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie – Would be hard to re-sign both Williams and Oshie when the need to re-sign Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky. They might be able to get Williams signed to a short-term deal, but Oshie will be looking to cash in. Burakovsky could replace Oshie on the top line.
3. Retool their blueline – They are going to have some decisions with regards to the expansion draft. They can’t afford to lose Nate Schmidt in the expansion draft. Karl Alzner will be a UFA and will get bigger money from another team. Orpik salary cap hit doesn’t match his on-ice value. John Carlson is entering the final year of his deal and could sign an extension after July 1st. Depending how contract talks with Carlson go, he could be used as part of their shake up on the blueline.
Chris Nichols of FanRag Sports: Darren Dreger was on TSN 690 talking about the Washington Capitals and what could be next for them after another second round exit.
“So I’m not going to sit here and judge from Paris to say it’s time they attack the core and move Alex Ovechkin, as the example. I’m still a believer in Ovechkin, but the reality is the reality. He can’t and doesn’t deliver this time of year. Whereas conversely, Sidney Crosby does. He’s proven that he does.
“But there could be change in Washington just automatically when you look at their pending unrestricted free agents.
“Justin Williams – is he likely going to re-sign with the Washington Capitals? I’d be surprised if they don’t have interest in re-signing him. Again, he’s a playoff guy.
“T.J. Oshie, for me, is really interesting. What a find he was, and a great add in that trade with the St. Louis Blues. For me, he’d be a priority.
“And what do you do with Kevin Shattenkirk? Based on their salary cap in Washington, can they afford to sign him to a seven-year extension upwards of $6.5-7 million per.”