Capitals would most likely decline, they need to build their prospect pool well staying competitive. They would rather resign Brown after his injury or go after someone in free agency I assume.

Caps aren't trading their 2023 1st. But they'd move Lapierre+2024 1st+whatever else to get it done.

If it was the 24 1st+Lapierre, Caps accept this all day. 8th overall in the 23 draft is too good to move on from for a team that hasn't drafted in the top 10 in a decade and a half, but next years first is absolutely available. DeBrincat is only 25 and established now, and that's what the Caps need. I love Lapierre, but McMichael's strong play in Hershey this year and the emergence of prospects like Ryan Hofer and Ethen Frank have made him more expendable.

I am very much in agreement with you here, if it is pushed a year back it changes the trade tremendously

Would love caps to go after Cat and I can see it happening. As discussed above I think the deal would need to be reworked to not include 8OA.


Maybe 24 1st, Lappy, Iorio, and a 2nd

Take out Iorio and make the second a 2025 one and yes

Might take more than that to sign Bunting. Saw two different sports writers say he will come in around 4.0 to 4.2 mil based on similar player contracts.
Evolving hockey contract projection tool has him at $5,436,000 on a 4 year contract.
Apparently he was a huge leafs fan growing up and they might be able to match that 3 mil offer without issue. More would be a problem though for them.