I think you're pretty close. I don't think the Caps are going to go to the well for another longer term free agent forward at this point. Panik isn't bad enough to warrant trading him quite yet, IMO, and if you do trade him, I think we'd want to keep a slot open for one of our prospects potentially.

The biggest questions come in on defense. We potentially have 6 NHL ready LHD next season, maybe 7 with Kempny, Orlov, Siegenthaler, Alexeyev, Fehervary, Djoos and Johansen (if he ever actually develops). If the Caps don't pick up Gudas' contract at the end of the season, I think Siegenthaler will slot over to the right side, rather than signing another RHD.

Which forward prospect do you think would make the jump then?

And also, if caps don’t resign Gudas, do you think a right side of Carlson/Jensen/Siegenthaler is good enough? Carlson is obviously a freak but Jensen and Siegenthaler isn’t exactly that strong. I figured maybe picking up a D to slide Jensen down

Siegenthaler is under-the-radar good. He's not a flashy guy who puts up points, but he's our best PKer by the numbers. Kind of reminds me of Orpik when he could skate, but doesn't take the body as much. Pretty much a good 2-3 pair steady-eddy.

I think hopes are high on McMichael. He could probably use a year in the AHL, but the way this year has gone for him, he could make the team out of camp next season. He looked pretty good this pre-season, too.

I agree with you there 91. I would like to see a Gudas resigning myself. I think he's fit in great and like to keep Siegs on the left side top pair with Carlson. I think though that Siegs will get a bit more 1.5 to 2 million on a 2 or 3 year bridge deal. Good job.

Yeah you can resign gudas then instead of DeMelo. And as for Siegs I just made a random contract. Didn’t really know what to base it off of since I don’t watch him.