Washington Capitals: 5 Things they Must Do this Offseason

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WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 24: Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) stands on the ice as the national anthem is player before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 24, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Now that the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals is underway, it’s inevitable that the Washington Capitals will have some big decisions to make since they aren’t playing for the prize this year.

The NHL Draft is coming up shortly after the Stanley Cup and NHL Awards hoopla. That will take place on Friday June 21st and end on Saturday the 22nd in Vancouver. The Capitals hold the 25th pick. What kind of a player do the Capitals need to draft this year?

As for the unrestricted (UFA) and restricted free agents (RFA), there’s a few players listed that the Capitals need to keep. Not doing so would be a massive risk for the future of the organization.

What exactly do the Capitals need to invest in for their future? What type of player should they select at 25th for the NHL Draft? What should they do for Jakub Vrana’s contract? Bridge deal or a long term?

Some contracts are coming to an end when next season expires. Who should they try to figure plans out for to extend a contract? Finally, how should the players get ready for next season with a longer offseason?

These questions will be answered and if the Capitals follow these suggestions don’t be surprised to see them back in the Stanley Cup Final one year from now.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 24: Jakub Vrana #13 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal in the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at Capital One Arena on March 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals need to give Jakub Vrana a raise, a big one. It’s fitting that this is the first thing listed here in this “five things” list. The decision on Vrana is the first big domino to fall that determines the course of the summer.

Similar to T.J. Oshie and Evgeny Kuznetsov in 2017 and Tom Wilson in 2018, there’s no doubt the Washington Capitals will give Jakub Vrana a good payday. There’s debate on whether it’ll be a short-term bridge deal or a long term contract.

Wilson was a restricted free agent last summer (RFA), which is what Vrana will enter this summer as. Wilson’s deal was worth six years for $31 million. Expect Vrana to get something a little similar. I’d say it would be in the avenue of 5-6 years between $25-30 million.

Why all that money committed to V? Because of the season he had last year. Vrana scored a career-high 24 goals and 23 assists (47 points). His speed, work ethic, positive attitude and good vibes are vibrant in that locker room. His future is even brighter, Vrana just recently turned 23.

Locking in a young rising superstar like Vrana doesn’t just impact the Capitals this season. It’ll impact them for years to come.

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: A general view of the Washington Capitals draft table is seen during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals need to draft a forward in the 2019 NHL Draft.

Vancouver will be the place to be from June 21-22. The Washington Capitals will hold the 25th pick. Picking in the 20’s may be high but it’s nothing new to the Capitals and history has been on their side when it comes to these late picks.

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev greets NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Back in 2008, the first year the team made the playoffs in the Alex Ovechkin era, the Capitals had two first round picks at the 21st and 27th. John Carlson was the 27th pick.

In the 2010 draft with the 26th pick, the Capitals selected Evgeny Kuznetsov. So there’s still diamonds in the rough with late picks.

The last time the Capitals drafted a forward with their first pick was in 2014 with Jakub Vrana. Since then the team has selected a goaltender and three defenseman. The Capitals have plenty of goaltending and defensive depth so it’s time for them to select a forward.

Now there might not be a lot of forwards available on the board with a 25th pick and if there’s any worries, they could trade up.

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: Mitchell Gibson greets his team after being selected 124th overall by the Washington Capitals during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Some names include Egor Afanasayev, Nils Hoglander, and Phillip Tomasino. We’ll see what they do soon.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Washington Capitals left wing Carl Hagelin (62) hits Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (27) in the first period on April 20, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals need to invest in their penalty kill.

The Washington Capitals penalty kill (PK) was the team’s biggest weakness throughout the 2018-19 regular season. During the first 61 games of the season, the Capitals allowed 44 power play goals in 206 tries.

When the Capitals traded for Carl Hagelin and Nick Jensen, one reason was to bolster their penalty kill. During a stretch from Feb. 23 to March 10 which included a win over the Winnipeg Jets on the the latter day, the Capitals killed off 22 of their 25 penalties. That also included four straight games without allowing a power play goal at the end of that stretch.

The Capitals finished the regular season ranked 24th in the NHL on the PK with a success-rate of 78.9 percent. But the Capitals finished strong by allowing 11 power play goals in 55 chances, an 80 percent success-rate. It’s an improvement from 78.6 percent before the Jensen and Hagelin trades.

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Nic Dowd #26 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal against Petr Mrazek #34 of the Carolina Hurricanes on a penalty shot in the third period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Capitals have shown they want to invest in the PK future when they extended the contracts of Nic Dowd and Jensen. Now they need to make sure they lock up Hagelin to a contract extension.

That will be easier said than done but an improved penalty kill is vital for next season.

ARLINGTON, VA – APRIL 26: Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) at a press conference at their training facility in Arlington, VA on April 26, 2019 . (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals need to come up with a plan to extend Nicklas Backstrom‘s contract.

Even though Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom still has one more season left on his current contract, it’s never too early for General Manager Brian MacLellan to plan ahead or even try to give him a contract before the season.

Backstrom had a successful 2018-19 season posting 74 points (22 goals, 52 assists) in 80 games. That’s a three-point improvement from the year before. He didn’t stop after the regular season. In the playoffs, Backstrom led the team with five goals and finished with eight points (3 assists).

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the second period in Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Backstrom has scored at least 20 goals and recorded 50 assists in four straight seasons and he’s just the 35th player in NHL history to accomplish this feat and only the second active player. Backstrom also bypassed Peter Bondra for second on the all-time Capitals points list and recorded his 600th assists.

In Backstrom’s storied Capitals career, he’s recorded 231 goals and 642 points for 873 total points. Like Alex Ovechkin, it’s imperative that Backstrom retires as a Washington Capital. It just doesn’t seem right or ethical that he doesn’t get brought back after next season. Also like Ovechkin, Backstrom has proved that age is just a number.

ARLINGTON VA – SEPTEMBER 12: Captials’ Alex Ovechkin, left, challenges Chandler Stephenson, right, for the puck during opening day of the Washington Capitals training camp in Arlington VA , September 12, 2013. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

This one is up to the players, but the Washington Capitals need to use this offseason to prepare for a big season ahead.

This is probably the most generic thing but it is a necessity for players of the Washington Capitals. Yes jumping in the Georgetown fountains and doing Cup stands (that are now banned) out of the Stanley Cup is fun and all but that is only reserved for victories.

Nobody realized it at the time but that run all the way to the Stanley Cup Final one year ago signified a short offseason to prepare for the following season. Thankfully for Washington, they came out on top and were able to reap the benefits of coming off that shortened offseason as defending champs.

Vegas can’t say the same thing. In a few short days Boston and St. Louis will embark on the shortest offseason of their lives but only one will be proudly celebrating.

Even though the Capitals aren’t going to have a summer with Stanley, they can use this summer to train for the following season with the goal of reuniting Lord Stanley with the streets of Washington in 2020.

ARLINGTON VA – SEPTEMBER 12: Captials’ Alex Ovechkin charges down the ice during opening day of the Washington Capitals training camp in Arlington VA , September 12, 2013. (Photo by John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /

If the entire team can show up at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in prime hockey shape, watch out NHL. The Capitals will be back and ready to regain the throne.

Next. A look back at last year's Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. dark

What do you believe the Capitals need to do this offseason? Let us know in the comments.

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