Washington Capitals: Salary cap dollars cloud future

After the 2018-19 season, the Washington Capitals will have a harder time keeping the team together. How will they manage the salary cap?

The Washington Capitals managed the salary cap like seasoned experts this offseason. A feat difficult to repeat next summer.

Between the added revenue coming from the expansion Vegas Golden Knights and a salary dump to the Colorado Avalanche, the cap was wide open for DC. Able to re-sign Devante Smith-Pelly, John Carlson, Brooks Orpik and Tom Wilson to deals, they return 21 of 23 from last year.

General Manager Brian MacLellan knew he had to bring back his core free agents if they are defending the Stanley Cup. The future beyond the Spring of 2019 comes later. The price tag unknown.

Whatever the cap is heading into 2019-20, the increase will not be as high. A couple million with inflation. It will require juggling.

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Washington has $67.7 million on the books once this season ends. That gives them almost $12 million to spend before they know the new cap. If you assume a $3 million raise, the Caps go into next summer with $14 million to spend.

On the surface, a healthy number. Hard to imagine Nic Dowd coming back, so the pre-free agency cap gets to $15 million. Then come the skaters you want back.

Smith-Pelly and Brett Connolly are unrestricted free agent forwards. Orpik, if he wants to return, is the free defender. Pheonix Copley’s hung around long enough as a pro he is unrestricted after this year. Depending on how he plays, along with the progress of Ilya Samsonov in Hershey, Copley may earn a return.

Then you have the restricted free agents. Because no one wants to risk draft picks for offer sheets, the Caps hold the rights to Andre Burakovsky, Jakub Vrana, Travis Boyd, Chandler Stephenson and Nate Walker on offense. Christian Djoos, who expects a raise, is the lone defender needing a contract.

Of those restricted free agents, Vrana is the lone player not yet eligible for arbitration. Ten roster spots for $15 million does not give MacLellan much wiggle room. You can imagine Burakovsky dreaming of dollar signs when the Wilson deal went public.

Much depends on how the season plays out. Wilson and T.J. Oshie’s deals carry the most risk, but Wilson has yet to reach his full potential. By next summer, his $5.17 million cap hit might look like a bargain. But, an early playoff exit might signal a salary dump or two.

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The Washington Capitals made it work this time. Who knows, they could easily again.

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