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The Washington Capitals Should Hold on to Chandler Stephenson

By Benjamin Little

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Devante Smith-Pelly #25 and Chandler Stephenson #18 of the Washington Capitals celebrate after Smith-Pelly scored a third-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Devante Smith-Pelly #25 and Chandler Stephenson #18 of the Washington Capitals celebrate after Smith-Pelly scored a third-period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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I think it is pretty clear by now that I am a big Chandler Stephenson fan. So it should come as no surprise that I feel the Washington Capitals should re-sign him this offseason.

Chandler Stephenson’s contract leaves him as an RFA and he is a player that the Washington could help grow into an extremely effective bottom-six player for their club. He has offensive potential, he skates as fast as anybody on the team and is able to slot in on any line, if needed.

One of the primary reasons Washington should re-sign Stephenson is because of just how cheap they can get him for. Stephenson made $650,000 last season and considering this past season was not his greatest statistically, they could get him for under $1,000,000 and have a roster-player locked up for cheap.

Having a nice, cheap player like this is exactly what Washington needs as their current salary-cap situation is far from ideal. This would also save them from having to search through free agency for a fourth-liner as they would already have exactly what they need.

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Chandler Stephenson did not have his best season. This was obvious. However, I believe there is still so much potential with this young player. He is smart defensively and can always be seen hustling on the back check. His offensive gifts have been few-and-far-between but, as I have stated before, I think with some extra attention from the coaching staff, Chandler could develop his confidence with the puck and confidence in his abilities to put up better numbers.

I also believe his +/- will improve next season as it was a -13 last season. It was a +13 the year before, however, so I feel as though he just had a bit of a slump this season. Playing more games during the season should help Stephenson get to where he needs to be.

One of the best things about Stephenson is just how versatile he is. He is usually a fourth-liner but has played on every single one of the Caps’ lines at least once. He slides in effortlessly and fills holes when players go down with injuries, suspensions, etc. He is so quick he can negate icings and begin offensive-zone possession thanks to his foot-speed.

In addition to this, he is also a stud on the penalty kill. His smarts in his own end help get the puck out which he is then able to chase down with his speed. He was built for the PK, and he could play power play if he really needed to. He is good at moving the puck which is Washington’s bread-and-butter, especially on the PP.

Overall, I can see the arguments against Stephenson simply because his numbers are a bit weaker. There is something about him that I see that I want on my favourite team.

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He is a player I feel Washington would be foolish to get rid of, especially when he takes one of the tiniest bites out of the salary cap. He is effective in both ends and is a player that plays the Washington Capitals’ style of hockey, and someone I feel they should bring back this upcoming season.

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