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Four Lingering Questions for the Washington Capitals

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Alex Ovechkin #8 and Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals watch a replay after Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes (not pictured) scored a goal in the second period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 24: Alex Ovechkin #8 and Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals watch a replay after Sebastian Aho #20 of the Carolina Hurricanes (not pictured) scored a goal in the second period in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena on April 24, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Will the Capitals defense improve or worsen?

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 06: Washington Capitals Defenceman Michal Kempny (6) skates with the puck during the game between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers on March 6, 2019 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 06: Washington Capitals Defenceman Michal Kempny (6) skates with the puck during the game between the Washington Capitals and the Philadelphia Flyers on March 6, 2019 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Turnover happens in sports and this offseason saw the Capitals trade Matt Niskanen within the metropolitan division to the Philadelphia Flyers for Radko Gudas. Additionally, Brooks Orpik announced his retirement. The top pairing of Michal Kempny and John Carlson should be fully intact assuming Kempny continues to make progress from his hamstring injury.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 06: Radko Gudas #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers speaks to the media after being defeated 4-3 by the Carolina Hurricanes on April 6, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tonight’s game is the last of the Flyers’ season. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 06: Radko Gudas #3 of the Philadelphia Flyers speaks to the media after being defeated 4-3 by the Carolina Hurricanes on April 6, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tonight’s game is the last of the Flyers’ season. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Capitals are hoping for a better season from Dmitry Orlov and invested in a veteran for the middle in Nick Jensen that they acquired in a trade and extended shortly after.

The singular and most defining factor that makes or breaks the defense is who is next to Gudas on the third. Will it be Christian Djoos or Jonas Siegenthaler? Both will compete for that spot and could split time.

WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 10: Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos (29) warms up prior to the game on October 10, 2018, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, 5-2. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 10: Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos (29) warms up prior to the game on October 10, 2018, at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, 5-2. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

It’ll be a make-or-break season for both players with the Capitals having a stocked defensive system and each blueliner will be a restricted free agent. But the Capitals could even send one of these players down to Hershey to get under the salary cap space and bring up Tyler Lewington. Don’t rule that possibility out or a trade.

On paper the defense should be much better but it’s always a matter of health and on-ice performance.

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