The Caps have $4.285M space (As of 10am 7/2) with 12F, 6D 2G spots filled. They still need to resign Vrana and fill two additional spots (most likely 1F and 1D). If call-ups fill the 2 spots, say avg $800K each, that leaves $2.685M for Vrana and non-LTIR injury replacements.
This is where giving Hathaway $1.5M hurts a little. It would be nice to have filled that spot at $800K and have $700K more space. The Caps need to move out some cap (without bringing it back it).
D is to think to move Carlson or Orlov. I don't see them moving any of the C's. Eller is a good 3C, but can not move to 1 or 2 (looking at offense and overall play). There is also no one to take the reigns of 3C if Eller is moved, Dowd is not 3C. I don't think that they are willing to put their eggs into the Samsonov basket yet (no NHL games), so Holtby sticks around until at least the deadline (extension/no extension?).
So the only players left that would have enough salary to actually help are Oshie and Wilson. Oshie is at $5.75M until he is 38. His contract is situatied that over the remaining life it is only $4M less than the cap hit ($30.5M vs $34.5M) so that doesn't help "sell" it very much. Wilson's salary is even closer to cap hit.
Unless a "bigger" move is made with many pieces... I think Oshie is the one that could be on the way out, with the biggest piece coming back... cap space. Oshie's contract is not pretty but some teams could be looking for someone like him. Oshie for a couple picks/prospects is a possibility. (on his own) Probably not a 1st, probably not an A level prospect... but maybe a 2nd and a B-level, two 2nd's and a prospect... something in that region.
Hey, I was spot on with the Burakovsky stuff...
Thoughts?