Capitals: Pending Free Agent Digest, Who to sign and who to let walk?

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HERSHEY, PA – FEBRUARY 09: Hershey Bears right wing Beck Malenstyn (13) and left wing Shane Gersich (10) lead the team onto the ice to congratulate goalie Vitek Vanecek (30) after stopping all five shooters during the shootout after 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) /

Quick Hits

The following are players who qualify as either restricted free agents and unrestricted free agents, but in terms of the Washington Capitals future mean less of an impact than the other options.

Each are in different stages of their growth as players, and considering the Capitals go for broke every year these players could help but only at the expense of another player being traded or not signed back.

In that sense, these players might have a chance to stay on the Hershey Bears to continue developing but would need to be there so they don’t count against the NHL salary cap.

RALEIGH, NC – SEPTEMBER 21: Washington Capitals forward Liam O’Brien (87) with the puck during the 2nd period of the preseason Carolina Hurricanes game versus the Washington Capitals on September 21, 2018 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Liam O’Brien – LW(age: 25)

2019-2020 AHL Stats: 39 GP, 7 G, 14 A, +10, 56 PIM

O’Brien hasn’t been a go to forward for call ups for a few years now. He hasn’t been called up since 2017-18, hasn’t made a serious impact since the 2014-15 season. O’Brien provided 13 games, 1 G, 1A, +4, and 23 PIM in the 2014-15 season.

Since then he hasn’t provided any points and has been mired to stay in the minors unless in extreme need. His previous contract was for $700,000, and at best he will get the same contract to maintain a position in the minors and help develop the next crop of Capitals prospects and provide the grit needed to help the skill side of the team.

Current Contract: $700,000

Projected Cap Hit: $0 (NHL), $700,000 (AHL)

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Connor Hobbs #36 of the Washington Capitals and Nick Lappin #25 of the St. Louis Blues fight during a preseason NHL game at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Connor Hobbs – D (age: 23)

2019-2020 AHL Stats: 16 GP, 1G, 1A, +1, 11 PIM

Hobbs has not made it into the NHL quite yet, but he will be knocking on the door soon. Unfortunately for Hobbs, he will have an uphill battle as the Capitals are loaded at the defense and also have a number of other defensive prospects getting close to being the next man up from the minors.

But with him still being 23, he has the chance to develop through the rest of this season and into the next for a potential fill in role as first man up especially if the Capitals move on from any of the other defensive prospects in the pipeline.

Current Contract: $720,000

Projected Cap Hit: $0 (NHL), $735,000 (AHL)

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 – D (age: 24)

2019-2020 AHL Stats: 17 GP, 0G, 4A, Even, 18 PIM

Williams is entering O’Brien territory where his best bet will be to get called up as an only option from the minors. Given his draft position it’s not much of a surprise, even with the Capitals ability to draft good role players late in the draft.

His low production and minimal use through the season doesn’t bode well for any future with the Caps on the NHL level. At this stage I would most likely look to cut ties with Williams and allow his spot to be given to another defensive prospect.

Current Contract: $700,000

Projected Cap Hit: $0 (NHL), $0 (AHL)

LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 07: Nathan Walker #79 and Shane Gersich #63 of the Washington Capitals pose for a photo with the Stanley Cup after their team’s 4-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Shane Gersich – LW (age: 23)

2019-2020 AHL Stats: 34 GP, 5G, 5A, +2, 14 PIM

Gerich got the benefit of joining the Capitals near the end of the 2017-2018 just in time to jump into the playoff run, which lead to the Capitals winning their first Stanley Cup Championship. He was called on to play in two of the games in the playoffs and remained with the team as a healthy scratch the rest of the time.

While he didn’t contribute much in those few games, he was seen as a player ahead of the curve and possessed the speed the Capitals have been in need of over the last few years. He should be viewed as a potential fill in if other players, i.e. Brendan Leipsic, are not brought back.

He could factor into the bottom six within the next few seasons he might just need to bide his time and wait for the chance. In the mean time he should continue to grow and improve on his game.

Current Contract: $700,000

Projected Cap Hit: $725,000 (NHL), $700,000 (AHL)

OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 29: Washington Capitals Defenceman Tyler Lewington (78) and Ottawa Senators Center Zack Smith (15) fight during second period National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on December 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Tyler Lewington – D (age: 25)

2019-2020 Stats: AHL: 26 GP, 2G, 3A, +7, 53 PIM

NHL: 6 GP, 0G, 0A, -2, 17 PIM

Lewington has provided a unique role for the Capitals, as he helped the team deal with the cap crunch they were feeling earlier in the season while they were hit with the injury bug. In his time helping out he was able to fill in as a forward on the fourth line and hold the spot down for a few games. But his best bet moving forward will be a fill in as the 7th defenseman, where he could be the first called up in a pinch. Sadly, there a few other defenseman who could fit this role. He does hold an advantage as he would be a sound defensive defenseman, which if you are calling up on an emergency basis it’s easier to cover a hole in offense over defense. This puts him ahead of other options like Djoos.

Current Contract: $675,000

Projected Cap Hit: $700,000 (NHL), $700,000 (AHL)

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