Washington Capitals trade deadline primer: Forward depth

The NHL trade deadline is a time for fans and writers alike to speculate on which big player their team will trade for. The Washington Capitals likely will not be targeting a big name at this trade deadline for a variety of reasons.

One of the more obvious reasons is the lack of salary cap space that the team has. As is typical with the best teams in the league, the Caps have spent just about all the way to the cap ceiling this season as they chase their first Stanley Cup title.

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But, one of the biggest reasons that Washington won’t be selling the farm for a top-six forward is because they have an incredible amount of depth, more than they’ve ever had in the past.

Up and down the lineup, the Capitals are essentially loaded with players that are in a role perfectly suited for them and running with it. That doesn’t mean that Washington won’t look for a depth forward, however, so let’s take a look at the forward group on this team and identify where a weak point might exist.

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Left Wing

The top left wing on the Washington Capitals needs no introduction. Alex Ovechkin has been very good again this year, and has a good chance at hitting 50 goals yet again and winning the Rocket Richard trophy.

Below him is the streaking Swede, Andre Burakovsky. He has been incredible since being slotted alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams, it’s as simple as that. At just 21, there are questions as to whether he will be able to maintain this level of play for the rest of the season and through the playoffs. Still, this position doesn’t need to be upgraded when you have Marcus Johansson on your team as well.

Jason Chimera has been a revelation for the Washington Capitals this season, and has been a secret weapon on their power play. He’s in the midst of his best season as a pro at the ripe old age of 36. He has earned his playing time on the third line and will remain there as long as he keeps playing well. His speed is a tremendous asset for the Capitals.

Here is where I believe the biggest hole on the team lies. Look, Brooks Laich has given everything for this team over the past decade plus, and I absolutely love the guy. But he just isn’t getting it done anymore, and his $4.5 million cap hit through 2017 just makes it worse. The Washington Capitals should look to acquire a player that can either replace Laich on the fourth line left wing, or someone that will push Mike Richards there.

Center

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The Washington Capitals have arguably the best center situation in the league. Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov provide a 1A/1B type of scenario where either player is very capable of playing on the top line. Kuznetsov centers the second line, but might be the best player on the team.

Marcus Johansson mans the third line center position, though he started out in Andre Burakovsky’s position for the beginning of the season. He is thriving as a center, and has created a situation where the Washington Capitals have three very potent scoring lines.

Mike Richards is the current fourth line center, though Jay Beagle will likely take that role when he returns from injury. Unless Richards finds himself in the doghouse, he will belong in the lineup over Brooks Laich for the stretch run.

Center is not a position where the Capitals need to upgrade at all, barring injury.

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Right Wing

The right wing position is where the Washington Capitals really beefed up last offseason. They signed Justin Williams and traded for T.J. Oshie, both of whom have played very well for their new team in top six roles. Realistically, the Capitals really have no room for upgrades in their top six.

Tom Wilson is finally getting his chance on the third line, and truthfully has played well since getting a bigger role. However, if the Caps were to trade for someone such as P.A. Parenteau, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to see Wilson bumped down to the fourth line for the rest of the season, if the player taking his spot could provide more offense.

On the fourth line, the Capitals have several options at right wing. Currently, either of Stan Galiev or Michael Latta are seeing time there. Latta is the preferred option here over Galiev, but there’s a chance you could see Beagle here upon his return if Barry Trotz likes what he’s seeing from Mike Richards at center.

The Washington Capitals could serve to add a middle six scoring forward to play on the right wing with Johansson and Chimera, and it would help put them over the top.

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Overall, the Washington Capitals should look to add at least one capable depth forward that can play in the bottom six. They truly have a tremendous amount of depth at forward.

There should be several up for grabs that won’t cost too much, and they will provide the team with four complete lines with no real holes heading into the postseason.

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