Expansion Draft
This won’t necessarily be the first move chronologically, but it is arguably the most vital move the Washington Capitals could make if they want to load up for a Stanley Cup run. In order for this option to work, the Caps need cap space. And as much of it as possible. The easiest way for them to do this is through the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s a bit complicated, but if they want to clear the worst contract on the team (Brooks Orpik), they might be the only team who can help.
Golden Knights general manager (and old friend) George McPhee likely won’t take the veteran defenseman for free. While he sure owes the Capitals after the infamous Forsberg for Erat trade, his priority is making his team as good as possible. McPhee might take Orpik if the Caps incentivize him to do so.
Here’s the problem – Washington doesn’t have many draft picks in their cupboard. So the Caps will have to get a tad bit creative. The Golden Knights will most likely want Philipp Grubauer. And why not? He’s an affordable potential number one goalie. McPhee knows how hard it is to find a franchise goalie. It’s a hefty price, but it would also give the Caps $5.5 million of cap space. By comparison, buying out Orpik would only grant them $3 million of savings. Who knows how important that extra $2.5 million could be for a contender.
The precise logistics of the trade might even net the Capitals a seventh round pick. I’m not sure how the NHL will feel about the Caps giving Vegas a player so the Golden Knights will take a bad contract off their hands.