As the 2022 NHL trade deadline fastly approaches, the Washington Capitals may be in need to make some major changes if they want to contend; or should they? The Capitals season so far has been a series of ups and downs, and inconsistencies, but would it be really worth it to make a big splash at the deadline? Caps GM Brian MacLellan has already considered taking a passive approach at the deadline this year, and here are three reasons why he may feel that way.
Caps GM Brian MacLellan doesn't expect to be as aggressive at this year's deadline as he has in seasons past. https://t.co/fjkBYfIKIV
— NBC Sports Washington (@NBCSWashington) March 7, 2022
#3. Cap Space
The Capitals currently have $155,834 in cap space, and are in no position to acquire a big name player. Although if they managed to free up some cap space, would it really be worth it for the Capitals to have long term cap issues for a more than likely rental player? Yes the Capitals are in win now mode, and will always likely be as long as Ovechkin is still on the team, but if they want to continue being a consistent playoff/contending team, they need to be smart with their cap space, not just for now but for the next 4-5 years.
#2. Assets
If the Capitals were to make a big trade at the deadline, Ilya Samsonov and Carl Hagelin (almost 5 million between them) would be the likely players getting shipped out. Besides them, the Capitals likely won’t trade others as they don’t really have any other suitable assets, but we’ve been proven wrong last year with Jakub Vrana. The Capitals currently hold four second and two first round picks between the next two drafts, and it would be nice if the Capitals could at least keep the first rounders. It would be unnecessary for the Capitals to give up high draft picks and other assets for unnecessary rental players, as they just don’t need to.
#1. The Capitals Already Have the Right Team
This is where some people may agree or disagree, but the Washington Capitals have the right team to win. You’re not going to win every game, but if the Capitals can remain consistent and play at hard and physical at both ends of the rink like we know they can, then no trade is necessary.
The big flaws on the Capitals team is clearly goaltending and the power play, but again with consistency, the Capitals are able to overcome those problems. In the last 6 games the Capitals are 5-0-1 going 7 for 18 (39%) on the power play, while the goalies put up a combined 0.920 save percentage. We have seen what this Capitals team is able to do, but it is all up to them on if they want to remain consistent throughout the postseason.