Forward is biggest Capitals need ahead of trade deadline

The NHL Trade Deadline is coming very soon and the Washington Capitals need a forward to complement their offense as it looks to improve from its latest slump. There’s several names that could fit the style of Washington’s play and should thrive under Peter Laviolette’s system.

I know some people will disagree with me and say goalie is the biggest need for the Capitals. I would say while it’s a big need it’s not their biggest need yet. Give Vitek Vanecek a couple more starts and then we’ll determine if the need for a goalie is bigger or not.

The other day Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said this in his 32 Thoughts:

"Another Washington forward possibility: Seattle’s Calle Jarnkrok. He fits the way they play."

The 30 year old center has 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 43 games while centering the top line for the Seattle Kraken. He’s five foot 11 and 186 pounds and has a right handed shot. He’s had 10 goals or more over the last seven seasons including scoring 15 or more four times. He was in between former Cap Marcus Johansson and Jordan Eberle in their game the other night agains the Boston Bruins.

Calle Jarnkrok had previously spent eight seasons with the Nashville Predators. The Caps were targeting Pacific Northwest teams for forward help including the Kraken and Vancouver Canucks. They’ve also swung and (so far) missed with Marc-Andre Fleury and sent scouts to some Dallas Stars games.

Some Caps fans are also clamoring for a Filip Forsberg reunion as the Predators are looking at shopping him. I would like to see that happen but I highly doubt Forsberg would want to come back to a team that traded him.

The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta compiled a list of top 35 candidates to be traded for the deadline. As far as the forwards that he linked to the Capitals it included Winnipeg Jets center Andrew Copp, Jarnkrok as well as Montreal Canadiens left winger Arturri Lehkonen.

As far as other forwards go the Caps might also be looking within the Metropolitan Division at New Jersey Devils left winger Pavel Zacha. The Canucks are also interested in him as well so it’ll be interesting who wins that race.

The Caps currently have $2,945,402 in cap space from long term injured reserve in Anthony Mantha’s injury. Although he’s back skating with the team he’s still a ways to go. It’s going to be interesting to see what the Caps do at forward as March is about to be here.