Stars and Sticks
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Washington Capitals strong after free agent frenzy

By Ron Juckett

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals attempts to control the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals attempts to control the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Without much money to play with, the Washington Capitals kept their dollars in-house and remain serious contenders for another Stanley Cup. Here is why.

The Washington Capitals expected to have a quiet Canada Day. Except for signing Nic Dowd, they did. But, as the major free agents shifted, where does this leave the Caps going into the season ahead?

Washington is just fine. Although they are not the odds-on favorite to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, the Caps remain on the elite-level of Eastern Conference teams.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are their toughest Metropolitan Division competition. Outside the division, the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs are the best teams on paper. Do not discount, if the Caps repeat as Eastern champs, what Vegas has.

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Yep, the hurdles for more champagne from Lord Stanley’s Cup are the same. Although John Tavares now calls the Air Canada Centre home, Washington remains a tough out in the playoffs.

The Caps had to keep their free agents. Alex Chiasson will leave as Washington has yet to publicly offer anything. Jay Beagle earns a huge raise heading to Vancouver. Four years and $12 million buys a metric ton of TimBits and financial security closer to home.

Philipp Grubauer left via trade and signed a nice deal with the Colorado Avalanche. With any luck, he wins their starting goalie job. He is too good to hold Braden Holtby’s clipboard.

Although Beagle and Grubauer will be missed, it is who they kept that makes Washington dangerous.

The Grubauer and Brooks Orpik trade cleared the salary cap needed for John Carlson’s return. His ability to produce offense from the blue line, while eating almost half a game of ice time, makes him invaluable for Washington. Eight years is a long time but securing him gives DC a huge title window for years.

What Brian MacLellan did negotiating with Devante Smith-Pelly rivals the heists Mike Rizzo pulls off with the Washington Nationals. Smith-Pelly’s return keeps you ecstatic while giving the Caps a good physical presence on the fourth-line.

When Tom Wilson signs his new deal, the Caps will dress largely the same team which won the cup. Wilson blossomed last year on offense while delivering enough hits to rival Taylor Swift and Katy Perry’s chart success.

Next: Dowd, Boyd battle for roster spot

The hard cap does not allow teams to run and hide with expensive talent. But, by securing their own free agents, Washington remains in the top tier of Eastern Conference teams. How new Washington Capitals Head Coach Todd Reirden handles this is an x-factor. He will do fine and the Caps should make another deep run.

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