3:20 PM – Update on Capitals trade speculation
Bob McKenzie: “With the waiver maneuver WSH did today — first saying Jaskin would be on waivers and then switching up by putting Smith-Pelly on — it’s pretty clear they have something in the works, but until Smith-Pelly clears or gets claimed at noon tomorrow, said trade can’t be completed…
Bob McKenzie: “There is a lot of speculation the deal may be with LAK, maybe for a veteran depth F. Lots of possibilities: Carl Hagelin is UFA at end of season but carries $3.5M cap hit. Trevor Lewis and Kyle Clifford each have a year left after this season, Lewis at $2M and Clifford at $1.6M.”
CapFriendly: “We currently show the Caps as having $236,787 in projected c/space. That’s the equivalent of a $957,443 cap hit at full value.
If Smith-Pelly clears tomorrow and is assigned to the minors, it would bring them up to $478,723 in projected c/space, enough for a $1,978,720 cap hit.”
David Pagnotta: The Capitals have been scouting the Kings the past few weeks, and TFP has been told that the sides have discussed the players McKenzie mentioned – Hagelin, Lewis and Clifford.
Other teams have also inquired on those players.
2:56 PM – Smith-Pelly to waivers after the report the Jaskin was going on waivers … trade in the works?
Isabelle Khurshudyan: Capitals coach Todd Reirden said that the Capitals had planned to put Dmitrij Jaskin on waivers today but then they changed their minds during practice. They informed Devante Smith-Pelly that he’d be the one going on waivers.
Rierden wouldn’t say why the switch was made, only that there are lots of “moving parts” for them right now.
Chris Kuc: Reirden said they have a lot going on behind the scenes with the team right now.
Ian Oland: “I’m being told by league sources that the Capitals have a trade in the works. They are clearing money so that someone can have a roster spot.”
Chris Kuc: It’s possible that the Capitals may have trade call on Jaskin’s once it was reported that he’d be going on waivers today … Just spitballing.