1st of all: Win or lose, i think Washington builds for the future in the offseason.
2nd of all: The thing that i see way too much is giving up draft picks to get rid of a player. Everyone says that it will happen, but it never happens, because the GMs don't do that. WSH can actually get something for Brooks Orpik. Not much, but probably a 6th rounder.

Looking at that cap (none) and not a full roster, I just don't think the Caps those three UFAs.(maybe two) Paying Shattenkirk 7m (IMO undeserved) kinda makes it certain Carlson won't be back next year.
Gotta think some one (Leafs) would take Nishkanev and not just losing him to Vegas, and maybe Orpik too.

Assuming you're a caps fan, if the caps don't make it past the 2nd round this year is Tortz gone?

The Devs are not taking that contract on for a goalie and two picks that will never see the NHL. And at 36 Orpik does not come close to what Shero should be doing. He could trade for Emelin (cheaper and 1 yr less) and probably get more as well, plus use Emelin! We need D but that is not the way to go about it.

If you think trotz is gone your crazy if he is then no way morice is back in Winnipeg theyed bring in local boy trotz

Hell no to getting rid of Niskanen. Nisky is 10x better than Alzner. Let Alzner walk whether we win or not.

What makes you think Bowey is ready to be a full time NHLer?

Niskanen has been horrible lately, and Alzner does his job exceptionally well. In the Anaheim game, Niskanen was the reason for at least two of those goals. Alzner is the model of consistency for us. He doesn't miss time, he blocks shots, he kills penalties, he plays excellent 5 on 5, and he's one of the best shutdown defensemen in the NHL. Niskanen is good two-way, but there are plenty of two-way defensemen out there for a lot cheaper than what we are paying him now.



I highly doubt the Leafs would take Orpik, but Niskanen I could see. I'm not sure what the Leafs would give us in return though, it depends on how you see the market for defensemen. Some seem to think that the market is a top line forward for a second pairing defenseman (Hall for Larsson) and some people seem to think that it's a top defenseman for top forward. I guess the Leafs could give draft picks for him, but there isn't much to offer.
As far as Carlson goes, bringing him back shouldn't be an issue. Eller's contract expires as well, and there should be another third line center we can find for cheaper. Use that money to bring Carlson back. The issue is whether we bring back Jay Beagle, Tom Wilson, or manage to keep Eller on a cheaper contract.