Team: 2023-24 Washington Capitals

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 6, 2023

Published: Mar. 6, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Trade explained:

WSH does it because:
They need a top 6 winger who fits the general age category of their younger guys long-term. This trade achieves this and helps them remain competitive for a while longer.

ARZ does it because:
1) They are still 2-3 years away from having a new arena all up and running. The placeholder arena where they're playing today only holds an attendance of roughly 5000. They are losing money and need to shed costs for now. By the time their new arena opens and their new core pieces start to emerge, Keller will be just short of 30 and his contract will be expiring. Doubtful he would extend in ARZ.

2) They add Mantha with some retention, which they can then flip at 50% retention either in the off-season or at the deadline for ~2nd rounder + 3rd rounder. This would mean that ARZ adds about 2,76 million for the coming season, while shipping out about 33 million in the long-term.

Signings:

Alexeyev:
1 year prove it deal.

Fehervary
I believe BMac will be looking for long-term cap gains by signing Fehervary long-term rather than risking a higher cap hit a few years down the road by going for a bridge deal.

Other Notes:
If Lapierre blows management away during camp (not expected), in that case explore an Oshie trade to Seattle.