Will Lars Eller get traded before the regular season?

The Washington Capitals are over six million in debt. No they are not bankrupt I’m talking over six million over the salary cap. As we enter the middle of training camp, many young bucks are fighting for roster spots and if they make their case someone might have to go. If I had to predict who would get traded I think it would be Lars Eller.

And I’m not the only one. My friend Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic (subscription required) had this to say in their team by team look on who could get traded:

"“Let me begin with this: As I look at the Caps’ expectations and roster, I don’t say to myself, “That guy is in trouble.” A part of me, though, wonders if general manager Brian MacLellan would be inclined to move a center if, say, a prospect like Connor McMichael, Aliasei Protas or Hendrix Lapierre were to prove he’s ready for a top-nine role. I also wonder what happens if Nicklas Backstrom returns from hip surgery sooner/better than expected. If either of those scenarios were to play out, that could make a guy like Eller expendable. Eller, 33, is in the last season of a five-year contract that averages $3.5 million.”"

Eller had a down season last year and I speculated that he could be a possible player to go. But so far the Caps have hung onto him. I think General Manager Brian MacLellan and Head Coach Peter Laviolette are taking a wait and see approach and we’ll see how these next five preseason games will play out.

At the end of the preseason teams are required to submit their opening night roster and get under the salary cap. We only have a small sample size but let’s see how these prospects Tarik has talked about faired in yesterday’s preseason opener.

Aliaksei Protas had an assist, two penally minutes, three shots on goal, a hit and a block playing 14:40 on the ice. Connor McMichael had two penalty minutes, two shots on goal, a hit and a takeaway while playing 15:55 and winning 70 percent of his face off draws.

Hendrix Lapierre was very noticeable as he continues to make his case to make the opening night roster. He had two shots on goal, a hit, a blocked shot, won 63 percent of his face off draws while playing 14:37.

McMichael would love nothing more than to get a third line or even a second line center role. It’s pretty much up to him to prove to the coaching staff that he’s got what it takes.