Capitals Mailbag Pt. 1: Offseason Needs, Center Depth, Potential Of A Big Splash & Mitch Marner Talk
We answer your burning Capitals questions in Part 1 of our latest Capitals mailbag.
The Washington Capitals’ offseason is in full swing, and though it’s expected to be quieter than the overhaul last summer, the team still has some things on the to-do list to take care of.
That being said, I figured it was time to open the Capitals’ mailbag and answer some burning questions pertaining to Washington and the summer to come. Let’s get going with Part 1.
Note: Questions have been edited for length and clarity.
What do the Capitals need to make a real run? - @capsandhockey
When it came to the second round against the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington found itself in the throes of a bad matchup. And though the Canes are definitely a team D.C. will have to get past — a challenge it faced with the Pittsburgh Penguins in years prior — general manager Chris Patrick doesn’t want to make changes based on just one team. He wants to be ready to play against every possible opponent.
That said, two areas stick out: the Capitals need a middle-6 forward that can drive offense, and also needs another NHL-caliber defenseman in the mix, particularly a right-hand shot.
First, it’s no secret that the third line needs stability and consistency. Washington was aggressive in getting Lars Eller earlier this season, but his role was different from the first time he was in the District, and as a result, he couldn’t really find that spark he used to play with. That trio struggled to finish, and rookie Ryan Leonard couldn’t carry it, either.
D.C. will consider multiple options at center — including slotting Connor McMichael into that spot — but ultimately, the Capitals need to make a move for either a third-line center or a wing that can provide secondary scoring on that bottom-6 and produce offensively.
Then, defensively, this team needs to start preparing for what the future will look like without John Carlson. Beyond Carlson, there’s Matt Roy and Trevor van Riemsdyk, and next on the depth chart is Ethan Bear, an unrestricted free agent who will likely get a deal elsewhere, and Vincent Iorio.
Seeing how much of a “gut punch” Martin Fehervary’s injury was, it’s important to have another NHL-ready defender set to draw into the mix, as Carlson’s role could change as he enters the twilight of his career. That said, exploring young RHD options could be of interest.
Those are two areas that stick out to me.
How will the Capitals solve their depth concerns at center next season? Do you explore the trade market for a pivot given D.C.’s depth and prospect pool? @da_wade9, @DKFlyingtiger, @RootBeerNcombos
Answered this a bit in the question above (I know, I get into a groove when I write), but the Capitals will explore internal and external options.
Connor McMichael has made it clear that he sees himself as a center with this franchise, but he thrived on the wing this season and did well with top-6 minutes, something he would sacrifice if he centers that third line.
Beyond that, a number of interesting names that will be unrestricted free agent centers come July, including Ryan Donato, Sam Bennett, Christian Dvorak, among others, that Washington could potentially look into, as well as a number of interesting options on the wing.
The trade market always has names, but looking at the prospect pool and depth on the roster, I wouldn’t necessarily give up my assets to go for a big-name center. Washington has all the faith in Dylan Strome and Pierre-Luc Dubois as top pivots in this league, and the prospect pool also packs plenty of promise.
Unless it’s truly a deal the front office truly can’t pass up, I don’t think the Capitals shake things up in that way.
That said, free agency and internal options are the best bet for filling that void.
Are the Capitals going to go for a big-name player like Marner or Ehlers or Boeser this summer? -@WhatsUpDeezy, @Argcomms, @jhsch8, @mman0128, @BenRuggles13
A lot of questions regarding this, so figured I’d group y’all together. GM Chris Patick didn’t rule it out, saying that if the team does take a “big hack,” it would be a “really big hack,” considering the prices are likely going up.
Brock Boeser, Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers are huge names that will be due a big pay day come July, and for good reason: they have tremendous upside, provide offense and are players you can build around.
That said, Washington could take a look as it considers life after the Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson eras come to an end. When it comes to making the space to work with, the cap is going up, and there are a number of players that will come off the books. There are also ways that D.C. can make the space work.
Now, when it comes to the likelihood of this… I wouldn’t rule anything out, but I just don’t see this team necessarily putting all of its eggs in one basket.
There are multiple needs to address, and as mentioned above, the most pressing are for a secondary scorer and an NHL-ready right-handed defenseman. Also, you have several promising prospects coming up the pipeline and have prepared well for the future, and though adding a big name in the moment seems necessary, D.C. is in a solid position. Use this year to evaluate, and then, when way more space becomes available next summer (which it looks like now with Ovechkin and Carlson’s deals expiring, unless they chose to re-sign), make a splash there if needed.
Never say never, though; anything could happen, and if the team feels a gamble is worth it, it won’t hold back when it comes to rolling the dice. That’s just my two cents, not gospel.
Was Oshie ever going to play in 2024-25? - @dmvsportsrox
From what I saw and heard, the expectation was that T.J. Oshie, despite efforts to solve his chronic back issues, was not going to play at all in the 2024-25 season. It wasn’t for a lack of trying; it just wasn’t in the cards, and he had to prioritize his health and well-being.
That said, management and coach Spencer Carbery play their cards close to the vest and weren’t going to outright say anything, but the expectation was that Oshie was to remain on LTIR and finish out his contract that way.
