- Chuck Gormley of CSN Washington: The Capitals currently have about $4.2 million in cap space after signing Braden Holtby. RFA Marcus Johansson has his arbitration hearing on Wednesday and could be awarded close to their remaining free cap space.
“As we get closer and both parties go through their arbitration process, I think you get a better feeling for the value of the player,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said on Friday when asked about Johansson. “Hopefully, we can come to an agreement before then, but again, we’re willing to go through the whole process and keep negotiating. I think (contract talks) are status quo from last time.”
The Capitals can get under the salary by sending any combination of Justin Peters, Taylor Chorney or Zach Sill to the AHL if need be.
GM Bryan MacLellan is hoping the sides can get closer with the threat of Wednesday’s arbitration hearing.
- Elliotte Friedman: The Predators are offering $3 million for Colin Wilson in arbitration, and he’s asking for $4.25 million.
- Brett Cyrgalis of the NY Post: The Rangers are offering $5.25 million for Derek Stepan in arbitration, and he’s asking for $7.25 million on a one-year deal. A one-year deal makes Stepan easier to trade at the deadline if the Rangers are in a sellers position. The Rangers currently have about $7.35 million in cap space, with 21 players under contract. If/when Stepan is looking for a long-term deal, he’ll likely be looking for a Ryan O’Reilly type deal – a $7.5 million cap hit. That might be too much for the Rangers to fit in.
