Top 3 burning questions Capitals must answer in preseason
The Washington Capitals open up training camp today at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington. Soon the first preseason game will be here in the blink of an eye. That comes Sunday afternoon from Capital One Arena against the Buffalo Sabres at 2 p.m.
Even though the offseason is over there are still some burning questions that will need to be answered over the course of these next six exhibition games. We’ll take a look at the top 3 and figure out how exactly the Capitals will answer those burning questions.
#3 Who takes Tom Wilson’s place on the top line?
The Capitals will begin the season without Tom Wilson due to him rehabbing from a torn ACL. As a result, there’s a hole on the right side of the top line.
Right now the most likely candidate, confirmed by head coach Peter Laviolette this morning on The Sports Junkies, is Connor Brown.
He noted that Brown figures to get the first crack at it but that’s not necessarily where things will end up. These next six preseason games should determine who fills in for Tom Wilson.
If Brown doesn’t get the spot who does? Is it T.J. Oshie, Anthony Mantha, or even Marcus Johansson?
#2 Any potential moves to shed salary?
It’s very likely that the Capitals roster is subject to change soon. Per Cap Friendly, the Caps are six million over the salary cap. In fact they’re exactly $6,321,666 over the salary cap.
I think the defense is pretty much set up right now. But the forwards present a ton of questions. The team re-signed Marcus Johansson and have young guys like Axel Jonsson Fjallby and Connor McMichael on the roster.
The odd man out, at least in the summer rumors was Lars Eller. We’ll get more about McMichael on the next slide. But even if the Caps trade Eller before the season for some draft picks, he only carries a $3.5 million cap hit.
So even if Eller goes the Caps will still be at least three million over the salary cap so someone else may have to go. With Nicklas Backstrom, Carl Hagelin, and Tom Wilson all injured, their salary gets buried as they’re all on long term injured reserve.
So at least that doesn’t count against the Caps. But still being over six million in debt is alarming. Teams have until the start of the regular season to get back under the salary cap so it’s up to General Manager Brian MacLellan to determine who deserves to make the opening night roster and who should be let go.
#1 Is Connor McMichael ready for a third line center role?
This ties into the last one because if Connor McMichael is indeed ready to center the Caps third line, they’ll have to make a move or two to shed some salary.
What’s interesting is what happens the day Wilson comes back. What would be even more interesting is if Backstrom is cleared to play before season’s end.
“I do think that Connor provides some type of that grit & tenacity with the ability to make plays & chip in 20 goals or somewhere in that area… So we’re going to go through training camp & that will be a position that we’re looking to fill & see who fits it best.”
The Caps will have six games to determine the final lineup in time for opening night. It’s an important time for young kids like McMichael and even Hendrix Lapierre to prove themselves that they’re worthy of NHL ice time.
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Between the two, McMichael is certainly ready for that third line center role. I could see him in that spot if not for opening night at least in the middle of the season.