What's Next For Capitals After Losing Out On Ehlers Sweepstakes? More Up Their Sleeve

After two and a half days of waiting, the Washington Capitals found out on Thursday that they’d lost out on the Nikolaj Ehlers sweepstakes. So, what now?

After two and a half days of waiting, the Washington Capitals found out on Thursday that they’d lost out on the Nikolaj Ehlers sweepstakes, as the 29-year-old Dane has agreed to terms with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Washington was looking to bring in Ehlers to bolster their scoring and round out the top-6, but now, has to pivot with the top name off the market.

So, what now?

From what I’ve heard, the Capitals have more up their sleeve.

Not all the eggs were in one basket with Ehlers. Though Washington tried to go after its “big horse” on the market in Ehlers, general manager Chris Patrick has looked at multiple options.

“Because, if you chase one thing down, you might miss on other things. You chase a big horse down, you miss on him and then maybe some of the smaller things you want to do are gone,” Patrick said matter-of-factly.

“There's not a lot of options available in the forward market and in the (defenseman) market if you're looking for higher-end players, so then there's a trickle-down effect,” he added. “You miss on the first guy, you go for the second guy. You miss on the second guy, you go for the third guy. And, if you're starting to get a little desperate, then you're willing to pay the higher price to get that guy. I think we all have to maybe change our gauge on what a second-liner used to make in the old cap.”

With Ehlers off the market, the Capitals have a few options.

First, they can circle back to the trade market. Per Chris Johnston, missing out on Ehlers could “spur trade activity” and lead to a domino effect as teams look to find another talented name.

Then, there are still options on the market. Washington could circle back to Anthony Beauvillier, who remains unsigned, and then perhaps go for center Jack Roslovic, who can be a 20-goal scorer and fill the third-line center role while keeping Connor McMichael at the wing. Also at the wing who could be an interesting option: Victor Olofsson.

After that, there’s letting things play out in training camp and seeing what the prospects can do and where they can fill in. Ivan Miroshnichenko is champing at the bit for his NHL chance, and Andrew Cristall’s looking to stick around, too.

That being said, the trade route may be the most likely path forward for the Capitals if they want to bring in an Ehlers-esque star to the mix and allow McMichael to take on that center role.

Per PuckPedia, Washington has $6.95 million in projected cap space and certainly some flexibility.