Capitals might use youth injection, however draft presents challenges

In a great world, the Washington Capitals would use the eighth choose on this yr’s NHL draft on a participant that would contribute instantly. With an growing older core that did not make the playoffs this previous season, the Capitals might use an injection of youth. And what higher means to do this than hit on a stud rookie to fit in with Alex Ovechkin? 

But that’s not how the NHL usually works. 

Centers Connor Bedar and Adam Fantalli — projected to go No. 1 and No. 2 — will be the solely prospects on this yr’s class who’re prone to make a right away influence subsequent season. Instead, when the league’s two-day draft begins Wednesday, groups will choose participant after participant with the expectation that they received’t be capable of contribute on the NHL degree till years down the road.

That places the Capitals in a tricky spot.

“When you’re trying to get younger, we’ll have a good pick this year, but that’s probably a couple years away before we get that player,” basic supervisor Brian MacLellan mentioned. 

The Capitals will nonetheless doubtless find yourself holding onto the eighth choose slightly than buying and selling it for a veteran. After all, Washington hasn’t had a possibility to take a choose this excessive since 2007, when the membership chosen defenseman Karl Alzner at No. 5. But the draft will nonetheless current an opportunity for Washington to transform its roster as MacLellan and Co. seek for upgrades.

Already this week, NHL groups have been busy making strikes within the lead-up to the draft and free company. The Chicago Blackhawks, who maintain the primary total choose, acquired ahead Taylor Hall and defenseman Nick Foligno from the Boston Bruins. The Philadelphia Flyers, in the meantime, despatched middle Kevin Hayes to the St. Louis Blues for a sixth-round choice, whereas the Colorado Avalanche shipped middle Alex Newhook to the Montreal Canadiens for the thirty first and thirty seventh choices.

The Capitals, up to now, haven’t pulled the set off on a commerce. But the flurry of exercise could also be a promising signal that there’s a deal to be made — if Washington is open. This offseason, Washington’s Tom Wilson, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha have all been linked to commerce rumors, and MacLellan informed reporters he would contemplate making modifications to Washington’s core. 

Moving on from Wilson or Kuznetsov would signify a major shake-up. MacLellan, although, mentioned he needed to see Wilson — a free agent after subsequent season — spend the remainder of his profession with the Capitals, and the winger was nonetheless productive upon his return from an ACL tear (13 objectives in 33 video games). Kuznetsov, against this, has been way more inconsistent: the Russian scored solely 12 objectives in 2022-23 — half of what he produced the yr prior. 

“For whatever reason, he never quite found his game,” mentioned MacLellan, who mentioned he was “disappointed” in Kuznetsov’s yr. 

“There is a lot of time to think about and refocus,” Kuznetsov mentioned. “ But I’m pretty sure I’m going to find a solution.”

Complicating issues, the NHL wage cap is projected to rise by solely $1 million to $83.5 million subsequent season — which has precipitated groups to try to shed contracts to unlock cap room. 

According to Cap Friendly, an internet site that tracks NHL salaries, the Capitals have  $7 million in cap area — the Tenth-least quantity of area throughout the league. To add gamers, Washington will both need to seek for low-cost upgrades or be a part of groups like Boston in making an attempt to dump salaries to clear area. 

As for the draft, the Capitals could have loads of choices at No. 8. Over the previous few months, Washington has reportedly been strongly linked to Matvei Michkov — an electrical 18-year-old, 170-pound Russian winger. The Capitals, in fact, have an extended historical past of drafting Russians and Michkov has a dynamic offensive talent set that’s prone to appeal to them.