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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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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 01: Washington Capitals right wing Dmitrij Jaskin (23) skates into the corner during the Calgary Flames vs. the Washington Capitals NHL game on February 1, 2019 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Dmitrij Jaskin

Dmitrij Jaskin was claimed off waivers just before opening night as forward insurance ahead of the inevitable early-season suspension of Tom Wilson. With just eight points in 37 games (2 goals, 6 assists), Jaskin almost was placed on waivers the week before the trade deadline. The team opted to go with Devante Smith-Pelly instead.

This created a problem for Jaskin, who was suddenly the odd man out of the lineup, after the pre-trade deadline acquisition of Carl Hagelin. Previously, he was rotating in the lineup with brief time on the top six but finding most of his time on the fourth line. The other dilemma was coach Todd Reirden opting to go with Chandler Stephenson instead.

With a majority of his time in the second half spent in the press box watching the game instead of being on the ice, Jaskin’s only appearance post-deadline came in the regular season finale with some starters resting for the playoff grind ahead.

What might’ve been more painful for Jaskin than watching his new team falter in the first round with nothing he can do about it was probably watching his former team, the St. Louis Blues, go on to win the Stanley Cup.

According to this article from J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington, Jaskin was frustrated with his lack of playing time with the Blues and wanted out. The team waived him at his request just after the preseason concluded and the Capitals were the ones to claim him.

It is likely he will look for some NHL opportunity elsewhere. Jaskin had a strong showing at the IIHF Worlds and has potential if another team is willing to sign him.

Brett Connnolly

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Brett Connolly #10 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes 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)
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 20: Brett Connolly #10 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Carolina Hurricanes 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) /

Brett Connolly, with the tightened cap space, is the hardest piece of the Capitals free agency puzzle this summer. A first round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning at sixth overall in 2010, Connolly bounced from the sunshine state to the Boston Bruins before the Capitals signed him to a one-year deal worth $850,000 in the summer of 2016.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 22: Brett Connolly #10 of the Washington Capitals reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 22, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 22: Brett Connolly #10 of the Washington Capitals reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period of Game Six of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on April 22, 2019 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Connolly is another success story of a Capitals reclamation project and after an impressive 23-point (8 goals, 23 assists) in 66 games, he earned a two-year bridge deal the next summer. Connolly was a key component on the third line during the 2018 Stanley Cup run and had an even bigger offensive season in 2018-19 with 46 points (22 goals, 24 assists) in 81 regular season games.

Connolly is 27-years old and now a veteran open to testing the market, hence the term unrestricted free agent. Carrying a cap-hit of $3-million, Connolly and his agent are looking for a big payday.

According to a report from SportsNet via 630 CHED radio host Reid Wilkins that came out Tuesday (confirmed by Connolly’s agent Gerry Johannson), the two parties were in talks with the Edmonton Oilers, a team that’s looking to improve their own current situation. A line with Connolly next to Connor McDavid could be lethal.

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