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Moving the Deck Chairs

Created by: NegativeIQ
Team: 2024-25 Washington Capitals
Initial Creation Date: May 25, 2024
Published: May 26, 2024
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
Mostly minor moves here with the intent to force the team to sink or swim with the talent already on the roster. Letting some of the more fringe prospects show if they can cut it in the NHL or not seems like a much better idea to me than throwing out almost all of our futures for minor to moderate improvements when the team isn't in any sort of competitive window due to the weak and aging core.

Trades are centered around making small improvements around excess players in different organizations. LA doesn't really have the space to play Kaliyev, and they have a desperate need of help in goal. The Caps send out Lindgren while his value is high; both to acquire a player that might flourish with more opportunity and clear space for more organizational growth in goal (AKA give Stevenson the reins in Hershey before we see if he can handle the NHL).

Jensen is moved to make room for some sort of growth on the right side of the defence. Too many old men on that side with no clear successor to Carlson tells me that something needs to be done. Edmonton isn't necessarily the only place he could end up, but it seems like they could do with a guy who has been dependable in a slightly more limited role in seasons past, especially at a discount.

Caps are willing to pay up for a slightly more NHL ready defenceman in Barron who is expendable due to the excessive number of young defencemen they have at the same developmental stage. Not entirely positive on the value here, but I think something like this would be acceptable value.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$1,100,000
2$850,000
2$875,000
2$875,000
2$1,500,000
4$4,000,000
2$1,400,000
Trades
1.
WSH
  1. Kaliyev, Arthur [RFA Rights]
  2. 2025 3rd round pick (LAK)
2.
WSH
  1. 2025 3rd round pick (EDM)
EDM
  1. Jensen, Nick ($2,000,000 retained)
3.
WSH
  1. Barron, Justin [RFA Rights]
MTL
  1. 2024 3rd round pick (NYI)
  2. 2025 2nd round pick (COL)
Retained Salary Transactions
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2024
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the VGK
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the BOS
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
2025
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the BOS
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the CAR
Logo of the LAK
Logo of the EDM
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the CHI
Logo of the WSH
2026
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the VGK
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
Logo of the WSH
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
21$87,700,000$73,498,333$2,252,500$525,000$14,201,667
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$9,500,000$9,500,000
LW
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$5,000,000$5,000,000
C
UFA - 4
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$6,500,000$6,500,000
RW
M-NTC
UFA - 7
$1,500,000$1,500,000
RW, LW
RFA
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$4,000,000$4,000,000
LW, C
RFA
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$3,375,000$3,375,000
RW, LW, C
UFA - 5
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$1,900,000$1,900,000
LW, RW
UFA - 2
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$863,333$863,333 (Performance Bonus$445,000$445K)
C
RFA - 1
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$870,000$870,000 (Performance Bonus$80,000$80K)
RW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$1,100,000$1,100,000
C, LW
RFA
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$1,300,000$1,300,000
C
UFA - 1
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$850,000$850,000
RW
RFA
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$4,600,000$4,600,000
LD
UFA - 5
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$8,000,000$8,000,000
RD
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$5,250,000$5,250,000
G
M-NTC
UFA - 3
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$2,675,000$2,675,000
LD/RD
RFA - 2
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$3,000,000$3,000,000
RD
UFA - 2
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$775,000$775,000
G
UFA - 1
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$825,000$825,000
LD/RD
RFA - 1
$1,400,000$1,400,000
RD
RFA
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$2,062,500$2,062,500
RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$9,200,000$9,200,000
C
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Washington Capitals
$5,750,000$5,750,000
RW
M-NTC
UFA - 1

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May 26 at 4:19 p.m.
#1
Le patriote
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can we flip Iorio for Barron?
May 26 at 5:24 p.m.
#2
Berkly goat Catton
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No thanks
May 26 at 5:55 p.m.
#3
xt0msx12 on X
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Don’t really see a need to add Barron. The caps need guys with experience on the back end who are physical and can keep guys out of the slot.

That goalie tandem will get ravaged this year. The only way you go into the season with Kuemper as the starter is if you’re tanking.
May 26 at 6:02 p.m.
#4
Jesus Christ Is King
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Struble or Harris and deal.
Barron didnt have any different production or minutes then anyone else.
He was just the one with the most flexible Contract for the next 2 years at the time of the move.(2/5 others required waivers since the seasons start or first few months)
The rest will all require Waivers and lose protection at some point this up coming season

It was a gamble and Xhekaj just did his stint in the AHL after Struble did as they rotated.
People pretend we lost faith in him, but his play was just the same as everyone else's progress wise.
What we learned is Savard and Kovacevic cant stay even short term cause we have too much D to invest in
May 26 at 6:05 p.m.
#5
Jesus Christ Is King
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Quoting: brady_t12
Don’t really see a need to add Barron. The caps need guys with experience on the back end who are physical and can keep guys out of the slot.

That goalie tandem will get ravaged this year. The only way you go into the season with Kuemper as the starter is if you’re tanking.


WSH is a pretty old team, youth is needed to balance that.
Ideally you sign Brent Burns as a UFA who's one of the few players who play the Rover Position basically where he can be a Forward or Dman at the NHL level with success .
He in the end makes more sense to help mentor your youth on all sides with versatility to help WSH like few others could.
If you want to compete while Ovi's there with youth a guy like Burns is needed
May 26 at 6:18 p.m.
#6
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Edited May 26 at 6:24 p.m.
Quoting: habitantlecolon
can we flip Iorio for Barron?


Seeing as Montreal already has too many RHD prospects, I don't think they'd be interested in taking on another one who will also need NHL playing time soon.

Quoting: brady_t12
Don’t really see a need to add Barron. The caps need guys with experience on the back end who are physical and can keep guys out of the slot.

That goalie tandem will get ravaged this year. The only way you go into the season with Kuemper as the starter is if you’re tanking.


While I don't disagree that the Caps could use a guy who could clear the crease, I don't think that fixating on a big physical defender is going to drastically improve the defence. I mean, its not like the caps were playoff contenders when we had Edmunson, almost a cookie cutter example of an experienced, physical crease clearing defenceman.

When it comes to the goaltending situation, I think that's a bit of an overreaction. I'm not gonna say that I have all of the answers, but I think its probably about as likely that Kuemper returns to being at least a league average goalie as it is that Lindgren can carry a slow, offence deficient team back to the playoffs and beyond. I say let it ride with what we have and pray that Stevenson is a 1A goalie within the next 3 years. Nothing short of a miracle is going to get this team to a cup within that time frame anyways.
May 26 at 6:20 p.m.
#7
xt0msx12 on X
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Quoting: Billy316
WSH is a pretty old team, youth is needed to balance that.
Ideally you sign Brent Burns as a UFA who's one of the few players who play the Rover Position basically where he can be a Forward or Dman at the NHL level with success .
He in the end makes more sense to help mentor your youth on all sides with versatility to help WSH like few others could.
If you want to compete while Ovi's there with youth a guy like Burns is needed


The caps aren’t actually as old as you think they are. Their average age is brought way higher by Backstrom (who is effectively retired) and Oshie (who is likely retiring). Burns isn’t a UFA, so I’m not sure why you bring him up. The guys the caps should be looking for on D are Pesce, Roy, or Walker. Those are guys who can help keep the puck out of the net. Sandin and Carlson can bear the offensive responsibilities from the blue line. Too many offensively minded defensemen is a bad idea.
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May 26 at 6:22 p.m.
#8
xt0msx12 on X
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Quoting: NegativeIQ
Seeing as Montreal already has too many RHD prospects, I don't think they'd be interested in taking on another one who will also need NHL playing time soon.



While I don't disagree that the Caps could use a guy who could clear the crease, I don't think that fixating on a big physical defender is going to drastically improve the defence. I mean, its not like the caps were playoff contenders when we had Edmunson, almost a cookie cutter example of an experienced, physical crease clearing defenceman.

When it comes to the goaltending situation, I think that's a bit of an overreaction. I'm not gonna say that I have all of the answers, but I think its probably about as likely that Kuemper returns to being at least a league average goalie as it is that Lindgren can carry an old, slow, offence deficient team back to the playoffs and beyond. I say let it ride with what we have and pray that Stevenson is a 1A goalie within the next 3 years. Nothing short of a miracle is going to get this team to a cup within that time frame anyways.


Kuemper could be fine, but he’s not a goalie you can play 60 games in a season. He should be in a 41/41 tandem at most right now. Lindgren was amazing and there’s no reason to not give him another shot if you want to make the playoffs again.

Edmundson was the only defenseman who could move guys out of the crease, but he was coming off an injury and was not good all season long. That’s why they need a guy who can actually play 20 minutes a night who has an aspect of physicality to his game. Roy, Pesce, or Walker are who they need. I’m not saying just get big guys and throw them wherever, they need guys who have a track record of actually being good. Edmundson isn’t really that.
May 26 at 6:24 p.m.
#9
Jesus Christ Is King
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Quoting: brady_t12
The caps aren’t actually as old as you think they are. Their average age is brought way higher by Backstrom (who is effectively retired) and Oshie (who is likely retiring). Burns isn’t a UFA, so I’m not sure why you bring him up. The guys the caps should be looking for on D are Pesce, Roy, or Walker. Those are guys who can help keep the puck out of the net. Sandin and Carlson can bear the offensive responsibilities from the blue line. Too many offensively minded defensemen is a bad idea.


I didint know Oshie and Backstrom retired
that brings the age down quite a bit but leaves a pretty big gap for youth to step up is the glass half full POV
May 26 at 6:31 p.m.
#10
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Quoting: Billy316
Struble or Harris and deal.
Barron didnt have any different production or minutes then anyone else.
He was just the one with the most flexible Contract for the next 2 years at the time of the move.(2/5 others required waivers since the seasons start or first few months)
The rest will all require Waivers and lose protection at some point this up coming season

It was a gamble and Xhekaj just did his stint in the AHL after Struble did as they rotated.
People pretend we lost faith in him, but his play was just the same as everyone else's progress wise.
What we learned is Savard and Kovacevic cant stay even short term cause we have too much D to invest in


Harris is also a possibility that the caps could look at. I'm mostly concerned with making some improvements on the right side though, and Carberry has indicated that he has a greater preference of playing defencemen on their strong side. I don't know if the organization would be as willing to make the trade for a defenceman that would then be playing against his handedness.
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May 26 at 6:33 p.m.
#11
Le patriote
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Quoting: NegativeIQ
Seeing as Montreal already has too many RHD prospects, I don't think they'd be interested in taking on another one who will also need NHL playing time soon.



I would. Keeping our depth is a real need. Barron isn't waiver-exempt but Iorio is, so I can see a reason to make a deal and put more pressure on Mailloux Reinbacher Tourigny.
May 26 at 7:29 p.m.
#12
Jesus Christ Is King
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Quoting: NegativeIQ
Harris is also a possibility that the caps could look at. I'm mostly concerned with making some improvements on the right side though, and Carberry has indicated that he has a greater preference of playing defencemen on their strong side. I don't know if the organization would be as willing to make the trade for a defenceman that would then be playing against his handedness.


Kovacevic is cost effective, reliable depth and would cost a 3rd rounder i suspect
It fits more with what WSH's Coach seems to like and Kovacevic will clear WSH Crease without taking needless penalties.
 
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