Team: 2024-25 Washington Capitals

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 8, 2024

Published: Mar. 8, 2024

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I didn't sign every RFA, just the ones I find more interesting and feel stronger about. No idea on deals so I just winged it.

Now, thoughts:

1. Overall, meh deadline. Not great, not terrible. They didn't tear it down to the studs but they didn't try to go for it either. They're letting this group make or break on their own. You want playoffs, show up. They haven't shown the consistency or gotten enough of the results to warrant any other way imo. Trading Mantha and Joel were necessary to recouping some value from potential departures, and it seems they want to give those spots to younger guys and give them extended looks. I don't think trading either of those guys sinks them, or rather that's what kills their playoff chances. I still don't think they make the playoffs, despite not being far out. They probably hang around a little but fade late.

2. I think you could have traded other guys, but the market seemed absolutely ****ed up, so better to wait towards the draft to reassess. Pacioretty had complete control over where he went, and it wasn't a guarantee you'd get a trade done anyway. The Kuznetsov deal had to be done. Sucks to retain, but it was not tolerable to have so much money suiting up in Hershey. Surprised they got something for him, even a third.

I think Dowd, Lindgren, and Jensen all get traded towards the draft, to who and for what I don't know and I won't try to make trades (because people will yell at me no matter what)

3. Free agent market for next season is grim, my God. Highest paid active player going to market atm is 34-year-old Steven Stamkos. We'll wait and see on that.

4. I'm sticking by my prediction Backstrom LTIRetires. Maybe he tries to rehab again and make another comeback next camp, but if he couldn't handle this season, it's not going to be better in the next. Still a horrible way to end for a guy who means so much.

5. Oshie's status is completely up in the air. He's not going to play 60 or more games for the third season in a row. That kind of availability cannot happen for a guy making over 5 million a year, it isn't workable. Idk what you do with him, but something needs to give.

6. It's far too early to make predictions about what they do this coming summer, but this team is at a true crossroads, no matter if they make the playoffs or not. You need to take a hard look at this roster and be honest, ruthless even. A lot needs to be figured out and decided upon. Ryan Leonard is one that'll be interesting to see, depending on if he stays at BC or goes pro. There are other prospects who they have in the system to keep an eye on (Chesley, Suzdalev, and Stevenson come to mind), but we'll just have to wait and see.