17 Things: Capitals Entering Busy Draft Week, Trade Speculation, Ovechkin, Marchand & Free Agent Buzz
What to know about the Washington Capitals going into draft week.
The Washington Capitals have a busy week ahead of them, with the 2025 NHL Draft around the corner and teams pondering moves ahead of free agency.
Washington owns the No. 27 pick in the first round and five total picks in this year’s draft, and with the team needing to address a couple of areas of need in the offseason, it’ll be interesting to see what general manager Chris Patrick chooses to do.
That said, 17 Things is officially back up and running on DC Backcheck, so here’s all the latest surrounding the Capitals entering draft week.
17 Things
1. I think if the opportunity presents itself, Washington is certainly okay with moving that first-round pick. The Capitals have done such a good job building depth over the last few seasons with Andrew Cristall, Ilya Protas, Cole Hutson and more talent coming up the pipeline, that if a player that can help them remain contenders now is out there, D.C. can use that as an asset in a package.
2. I mentioned this last week: Washington doesn’t necessarily need to be aggressive. After all, the Capitals are a playoff team, have a lot of talent within the system and prospects to integrate into the mix. However, this could very well be Alex Ovechkin’s last kick at the can, so if one name can take D.C. from being a competitor to a legitimate contender poised for a deep run, you have to make that move.
3. I’ll shout it again from the mountaintops: No decision has been made regarding Alex Ovechkin’s future. He has not decided on anything and will likely see how things go over the course of the season before evaluating what’s next. Yes, he wants to finish his playing career in Russia, but he loves Washington, and said that as long as he’s loving it, he doesn’t plan on leaving it behind.
When the time comes, the news will come from him, not from interviews taken out of context or a marketing email. That said, close attention to your sources in the coming week.
4. I see Ovechkin’s role changing this season, though, regardless. He can still score and is the GOAT for a reason, but given the team’s transition forward, he’ll likely start to see new linemates and a new job for the upcoming season.
5. Looking at the lineup as a whole, I don’t see the Capitals bringing in a definitive third-line center this offseason unless that name is a surefire win. That job is Connor McMichael’s to lose, and he wants to be here for the long haul as a pivot.
6. That being the case, Washington likely brings in a young, middle-6 forward who’s a versatile option, can play multiple roles and provide consistent secondary scoring and stability, two areas of need going forward. That option more likely comes through the trade market; I don’t think free agency has the player that fits D.C.’s identity.
7. Patrick said it best at season’s end: the team wants to get younger and also wants two reliable lines on the bottom-6. There are more young names, like 23-year-old JJ Peterka, on the block, and the names hitting free agency are more expensive.
Sabres Reportedly Taking Calls On Peterka & Asking Price Revealed; Capitals Should Be Among Suitors
8. One free agent that the Capitals could reportedly go after is veteran Brad Marchand. Doesn’t fit the “get younger” M.O., but he’s a reliable contributor who’s versatile, playing a different role and can bring stability and leadership to the room in a transitionary year.
Still, as fun as it’d be to have him and Tom Wilson on the same line, I don’t see it happening; he’s 37 and doesn’t seem to have much of a reason to leave Florida.
9. Don’t expect offer sheets from the Capitals; they don’t have their own third-round pick, which limits the AAV they’d be able to offer.
10. Speaking of RFAs, I’m expecting a bridge deal for Hendrix Lapierre. Give him a couple more years and see if he can live up to expectations and win an NHL spot in some capacity.
The front office was happy with what it saw from Lapierre following his demotion to the AHL this season and believes he can come in and compete hard at camp. And with a full summer of rest and training, the 23-year-old should have quite a bit to show come fall. The upside is there, though, and quite promising.
11. Another RFA: I’m not sure if the Capitals qualify Alex Alexeyev. The left side is stacked, and Alexeyev, though he was able to get into the lineup in the playoffs amid Martin Fehervary’s injury, isn’t in a spot where he’s going to get regular games.
That being the case, a change of scenery is likely best for the 25-year-old as he continues his career and looks to be a regular elsewhere.
12. Andrew Mangiapane, Lars Eller and Taylor Raddysh aren’t likely to re-sign. Mangiapane, meanwhile, made a beer league cameo up in Ontario.
13. Anthony Beauviller, though, still has potential to stick around. The Capitals really liked what he brought to the table and how he fit in, and Beauvillier said himself that he was interested in sticking around. There’s nothing new on that front, though, per sources.
14. Washington does have about $9.375 million in cap space to work with this summer and no longer has to worry about LTIR with T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom coming off the books and their monumental runs with D.C. coming to an end. Oshie officially retired, but signs point to Nicklas Backstrom, who’s moving back to Sweden, trying to continue his career with the SHL’s Brynäs IF. Time will tell, though.
15. While the Capitals do need another skilled forward, I still think the team should do something to bring in another depth defenseman. As the aformentioned Fehervary absence showed, Washington needs an NHL regular who can draw in at the drop of a hat and bring the same speed and shutdown style. So I expect that move in free agency, too.
16. Speaking of defensemen, if Washington holds onto the No. 27 pick, Blake Fiddler’s a name I like. The Capitals need more defensive depth on the right side, and Fiddler is a shutdown player who’s a smooth skater that can be an impact guy for years to come.
17. I wonder if the Trevor Zegras trade to Philadelphia on Monday sets off a chain reaction, but I like that move for the Flyers. Again, wouldn’t be surprised if D.C. was among the teams to at least reach out about him.