Top 5 concerns Capitals must address this offseason

#4 The defense

Another concern for the Capitals will be their defense. No mater what happens with John Carlson, whether you want him still here or traded, there are three unrestricted free agents. Those are Michal Kempny, Matt Irwin and Justin Schultz.

There’s also some big decisions coming next year, particularly with Dmitry Orlov who should definitely get a new contract if he continues the torrid pace he is at. But Orlov won’t be the only tough decision to make.

Nick Jensen and Trevor van Riemsdyk will also be UFAs next summer. Martin Fehervary will be a restricted free agent. Whatever the defense does this year, good or bad, will determine the direction of the blue line for the years to come.

I’ve written numerous trade options for John Carlson but I would only pull the trigger if you got a good hockey deal out of it. Other than that I would keep Carly based on he’s here till 2026-27 and earned the big bucks after the Stanley Cup in 2018.

I think the first decision of the Capitals offseason will be based on the status of Carl Hagelin and Nicklas Backstrom. Next comes the goaltending and then the defense and doing whatever it takes to keep Orlov around here.