Why Trade Market Is Most Likely Route For Capitals This Summer, Who Are Reportedly 'Willing To Think Outside The Box'

What are the Capitals likely to do this offseason?

The Washington Capitals’ front office staff had said that this offseason will likely be quieter than last year’s overhaul, but now, it looks like D.C. could be among the teams ready to make a big splash in the summer months.

NHL insider Chris Johnston said on his show on Monday that Washington will likely consider adding via the trade route due to the lack of game-changing names at a reasonable price hitting free agency this summer.

“They’ve shown that they’re willing to think outside the box and make some deals,” Johnston said. “They would be a team, I think, that you could see getting involved in the trade market because the truth is… it’s not the deepest free agent class when we’re talking about truly sort of change the game type of players.”

Johnston also noted that the Capitals could look to be “pretty aggressive” on the trade market as it looks to make the most of the final year of Alex Ovechkin’s contract while trying to add more skill and secondary scoring.

“This is probably the last kick at the can with Ovi, most likely, and so I think that will inform their summer as well,” Johnston said. “I think you’re going to see them be pretty aggressive and see what they can get done on the trade market.”

There are a number of potential top names making their rounds on the trade block, including pending RFAs like J.J. Peterka and Marco Rossi. The offer sheet route isn’t likely for D.C. given it doesn’t have its 2026 third-round pick, meaning the only offer sheets the team’s eligible to make would have an AAV that is between $2,340,038 and $4,680,076, or $11,700,193 or higher.

Looking at the free agent market, Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers and more top names could be available come July 1, but when it comes down to it, not many fit the Capitals’ criteria with the team looking to get younger and having just around $12.38 million to work with in cap space, per ESPN. All the while, prices are going up, and other teams are at the ready with lucrative offers.

That said, Washington may want to see what it can get done in terms of trades. General manager Chris Patrick said the team is open to possibly moving the first-round pick, and the prospect pool is also deep enough to potentially make moves.

“We will definitely evaluate everything,” Patrick said. “I think a big hack this summer could potentially be, like, a really big hack.”