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Washington Capitals: Potential right wing free agency targets

By Andrew Gillis

UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 01: Brett Connolly #10 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 1, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the New York Islanders 3-1 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 01: Brett Connolly #10 of the Washington Capitals skates against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on March 1, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the New York Islanders 3-1 (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 23: Andre Burakovsky #65 of the Washington Capitals shoots the puck during an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres on February 23, 2019 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – FEBRUARY 23: Andre Burakovsky #65 of the Washington Capitals shoots the puck during an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres on February 23, 2019 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images) /

After the Andre Burakovsky trade sent a third-line winger to Colorado, the Washington Capitals found themselves in need of a third-line right winger.

Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said as much this morning, and if history has told us anything, MacLellan is a straight-shooter and will do exactly what he said he would.

Now that we’ve got an idea for the Capitals plan for free agency, let’s look at some of the options available to the team in free agency.

According to CapFriendly, Washington has just over nine million dollars in cap space to spend in this free agency period. A significant chunk, however, will be spent on Jakub Vrana and Christian Djoos. Then, the Capitals will have to fill out the rest of the lineup, likely with league minimum — or close to it — players.

With MacLellan now working on a bridge deal with Vrana, expect him to sign a one or two year deal for around 3.5 million dollars. For Djoos, he’ll likely come in around a million dollars per year on a shorter term contract.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 07: Nathan Walker #79 of the Washington Capitals holds the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 07: Nathan Walker #79 of the Washington Capitals holds the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Washington Capitals and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup Final Series 4-1. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images) /

If we assume the above, and fill out the fourth line and extra skater with Shane Gersich (at $700,000) who impressed at Development Camp, and Nathan Walker (at $750,000), the Capitals will have about $3.285 million dollars to spend on a third line right wing according to CapFriendly.

COLUMBUS, OH – MAY 6: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets waves to the fans following Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 6, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – MAY 6: Artemi Panarin #9 of the Columbus Blue Jackets waves to the fans following Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 6, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

While that takes them out of the running for the big name free agents like Artemi Panarin or Anders Lee, there’s still a quality level of forwards the Capitals could target. Here’s some options that realistic for the Capitals this offseason.

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