It’s way too early to be thinking about free agency but if the Washington Capitals are trying to shop for a defensemen Chris Tanev should be high on their list.
The Washington Capitals defense is likely going to have a different look next season as the Caps will enter the offseason with three free agent defensemen. It is likely there might be some changes and one defenseman the Caps should go for is Chris Tanev of the Vancouver Canucks.
There’s no telling what can happen or if the Caps can afford to re-sign their three free agent defensemen. Newcomer Brenden Dillon will be due a raise when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. So will Radko Gudas who has done well since moving within the division to Washington.
Both of these players are unrestricted free agents meaning that the players have more leverage in where they end up going.
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The lone restricted free agent whom the Caps are most likely going to be able to bring back is Jonas Siegenthaler but like the other two players mentioned, he’ll be due a raise as well.
Then there are players who the Caps might need to move to free up cap space. Nick Jensen had more expectations placed on him than he could afford and he was subjected to trade rumors earlier in the year. Dmitry Orlov had a down year last year but has rebounded this season.
Tanev is a defensive defensemen whom the Caps need more of on their blue line. He sacrifices his body often and while it may take a toll on him, it doesn’t stop him from delivering shutdown plays.
Tanev could line up in the middle next to Dmitry Orlov and the pair would be a good shutdown combo. His cap hit is $4,450,000 so the Caps will have to have lost at least two defensemen to rely on a guy like Tanev to fill the void.
Tanev has spent 10 seasons all with the Vancouver Canucks. He has two goals and 18 assists for 20 points this season as well as 159 blocked shots and 32 hits.
Which NHL Free Agents do you think the Caps should pursue? Let us know in the comments.