John Carlson isn't taking a pay cut to stay with the Caps (or to play with anyone). He's probably looking at a $6-7M a year contract with at least 5 years. And unless he's coming off an injury filled year, Perron should get $4M a year for 3-5 years.

Orpik for McGinn is good cap management, if Orpik has a badyear this year. If he keeps putting up 200 hits and going +30, I think the Caps pass.

You've got at least 2M more cap space next year (look up NHL CBA escalator clause), but in an average year, since there's been a cap, it goes up 3. So you can pay Carlson a bit more, and with a long enough term, keep him in town.

Getting young UFAs like Sustr makes sense any year.

That's how the Caps got Connolly, a 25 year old now coming off a 15 goal season. I'm not sure I'd trade him or Smith Pelly for Trevor Lewis, who just blew up for 12 goals, as a 30 year old, though. Lewis averages more hits in a year, but DSP has reached a higher total, has scored more goals, and is also five years younger. If the Caps are looking to keep their championship window open, then having younger, skillful players makes sense. Yes, Lewis has 23 playoff points in 75 playoff games, but his best playoff year was five years ago. The Caps recently tried signing a 30 year old Kings castoff. If they want someone from LA, why not save up for Doughty?

You underpaid for a couple of players and I don't think the LAK trade is good for Caps. We don't need any more D-prospects.

The McGinn-Orpik swap is interesting tho.