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

By David Trice | Jan 20, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 13: Nicklas Backstrom #19 of the Washington Capitals looks on during the pre-game skate before a game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on January 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

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RALEIGH, NC – DECEMBER 28: Christian Djoos #29 of the Washington Capitals passes the puck during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes on December 28, 2019 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Christian Djoos – D (age: 25)

2019-2020 Stats: AHL: 29 GP, 3G, 17A, +8, 8 PIM

NHL: 2 GP, 0G, 0A, +1, 0 PIM

Christian Djoos’s future with the Washington Capitals was doomed the moment the arbitrator awarded him $1.25 million. With the Capitals right against the cap this year to start out, they needed to bury his contract in the minors.

Another factor which didn’t help them to bring him back was the injury that shortened his season last year and left some question marks on which defenseman they would get on a regular basis. At this juncture in his career, he would be another player who might benefit moving to a team that can afford his services for a bottom pairing defenseman.

It could be he might have a shot to move into a top four role on another team, but as long as the Capitals have Carlson, Kempny, Orlov, and Siegenthaler they will always keep him on the bottom pair. The one scenario where you could see him fitting into the NHL roster, would be the Capitals letting Gudas go free completely and essentially giving Djoos the best bet to seal the final defense spot.

Current Contract: $1,250,000

Projected Cap Hit: $1,250,000 (NHL)

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