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Washington Capitals: Breaking Down the Free Agency Projections

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 06: Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) glances at the scoreboard during the New York Islanders vs. the Washington Capitals NHL game April 6, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 06: Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) glances at the scoreboard during the New York Islanders vs. the Washington Capitals NHL game April 6, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Who stays:

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – MARCH 01: Jakub Vrana #13 of the Washington Capitals celebrates a third period goal against the New York Islanders during their game at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on March 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – MARCH 01: Jakub Vrana #13 of the Washington Capitals celebrates a third period goal against the New York Islanders during their game at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on March 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Jakub Vrana

The biggest priority of the offseason as far as contracts go, Jakub Vrana had a career-season in 2018-19 and saw his numbers peak. This peak began in the run to the Stanley Cup in 2018 and Vrana elevated his game to new heights.

Vrana improved his point total from the previous season by 20 points and wasn’t scratched from the lineup at all. In all 82 regular season games, Vrana had offensive career-highs with 24 goals, 23 assists, and 47 points.

It is this reason why General Manager Brian MacLellan has him high on the offseason wish list. On a conference call with the media before the draft, MacLellan said:

"“We’re in contact with his agent. We’ve had a few conversations with him. We’re continuing to talk to him as we go forward. We’re going to play it out here. We’re going to see where the cap is and see what our roster decisions are and make a decision with Jakub and his agent.”"

Vrana signed a three-year, entry-level contract in 2014 shortly after his draft selection by the Capitals in the first round at 13th overall. His cap hit from last season is at $863,333 and his overall value from this contract per CapFriendly is $4,275,000.

With Brett Connolly in talks with the Oilers and possibly other teams (more on that later), Vrana and his agent are highly likely to command a cap hit around $4-million in terms of a bridge deal but the shrinking cap might make for  a lower bridge deal due to a lack of leverage in arbitration (per Isabelle Khurshudyan of The Washington Post, subscription required).

There’s no telling what will happen but it is doubtful MacLellan will let a young forward trending upward leave. Though re-signing Carl Hagelin does make things a bit complicated under the tight cap. If MacLellan does give Vrana a big payday, that might spell bad news for Andre Burakovsky.

Christian Djoos

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 05: Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos (29) ready for a face-off during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Edmonton Oilers, on November 05, 2018, at Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C.The Capitals defeated the Oilers 4-2.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 05: Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos (29) ready for a face-off during a NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Edmonton Oilers, on November 05, 2018, at Capital One Arena, in Washington, D.C.The Capitals defeated the Oilers 4-2.(Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Christian Djoos was one of the top defensemen in the AHL up in Hershey. When the team had the offseason departures in the summer of 2017 with Karl Alzner and Kevin Shattenkirk via free agency, as well as losing Nate Schmidt in the Vegas Expansion Draft, it opened a roster spot in Washington that Djoos made right out of training camp.

Djoos had a strong rookie season in 2017-18. He scored his first NHL goal in his debut Oct. 11 vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. Djoos finished with 14 points (3 goals, 11 assists) in 63 games and led the rookie defensemen with 55 blocked shots.

Djoos was paired with Brooks Orpik down the stretch, including their path towards the Stanley Cup that spring. The following season, which was the final year of his three-year, entry-level deal that was signed in 2014, injuries plagued the 24-year old. He finished with 10 points (1 goal, 9 assist) in 45 games.

The contract that was signed five years ago carried a cap hit of $650,000 last season so expect Djoos to get another bridge deal.

Chandler Stephenson

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 06: Chandler Stephenson #18 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck against Johnny Boychuk #55 of the New York Islanders in the first period at Capital One Arena on April 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 06: Chandler Stephenson #18 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck against Johnny Boychuk #55 of the New York Islanders in the first period at Capital One Arena on April 6, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Chandler Stephenson possesses a lot of speed and is a great defensive forward. This was shown in his rookie season, when he was a standout on the bottom-six during their Stanley Cup run. The offensive numbers were promising for a bottom-six that season with 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) in 67 games.

His offensive numbers dropped in 2018-19 with 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in 64 games. After being shuffled with Dmitrij Jaskin, coach Todd Reirden opted to go with Stephenson down the stretch of the regular season on the fourth line and also got playoff minutes over the former Blues forward.

Stephenson carries a cap hit of $650,000 from the second year of his two-year, $1.3 million deal that he signed in the summer of 2017 and it is likely he’ll get another bridge deal for at least one more season.

Vitek Vanecek

HERSHEY, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Hershey Bears goalie Vitek Vanecek (30) makes a save during the Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears AHL game February 9, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Hershey Bears goalie Vitek Vanecek (30) makes a save during the Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears AHL game February 9, 2019 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

It is highly unlikely that Vitek Vanecek leaves the Capitals system with the rocky goaltender situation ahead with the Seattle expansion draft looming next summer. Braden Holtby has one year left and due to these expansion rules, the Capitals can only protect one goaltender and expose the other.

Vanecek along with Ilya Samsonov split time between the pipes last season for the Hershey Bears. Vaneck had a great regular season with a 21-10-6 record with a 2.62 GAA and a .907 save percentage. This one-two goaltending tandem will be needed for success in Hershey. Both goalies carried the Bears back to the Calder Cup playoffs and they’ll be looking to get further than the second round.

Colby Williams

HERSHEY, PA – DECEMBER 21: Hershey Bears defenseman Colby Williams (25) rests during a stoppage in play during the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Hershey Bears on December 21, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA – DECEMBER 21: Hershey Bears defenseman Colby Williams (25) rests during a stoppage in play during the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Hershey Bears on December 21, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Colby Williams is a defenseman of the future. The Hershey Bears blueliner just finished a two-year, entry-level deal and was the other prospect that made the cut for the RFA qualifying offer.

Willaims has a chance to compete for a roster spot at training camp but will likely be back with Hershey. Last season, WIlliams had 10 assists in 36 regular season games. He was also fourth on the team with 33 penalty minutes.

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