Top 5 bold predictions for the Capitals heading into free agency

#3 The Caps will land Nino Niederreiter

After the Caps trade for J.T. Miller we’ll focus back on to free agency. Here’s a wild one. To replace Tom Wilson at top line right wing, the Caps should try to acquire Nino Niederreiter from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Niederreiter scored 24 goals and added 20 assists for 44 points. He’s six foot two and 215 pounds. He also will turn 30 at the start of the season. His previous cap hit was $5.25 million. The Caps could easily afford that with the money to spend and have some left over to add a goaltender or a defenseman if needed.

Niederreiter was a fifth overall pick in the first round by the New York Islanders in the 2010 NHL Draft. His career got off to a slow start with the Islanders and then got traded to the Minnesota Wild.

With the Wild, Niederreiter turned his game around, becoming both a power forward and reliable goal scorer. He’d be perfect to fill that Tom Wilson void as Wilson is both a power forward and now thanks to changing his game, a reliable goal scorer.

He would be the best name available, especially over Phil Kesell, who while still good is also getting older. Caps can’t afford any more veterans other than maybe a net minder.