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5 Capitals who won’t be back in 2023

By Michael Marzzacco

Evgeny Kuznetsov, Anthony Mantha, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Evgeny Kuznetsov, Anthony Mantha, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /
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Craig Smith, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Craig Smith, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

#4 Craig Smith

Craig Smith was part of the trade from the Boston Bruins that sent Garnet Hathaway and Dmitry Orlov over there. Now Orlov and Hathaway will take part in what should be an epic Game 7 tonight against the Florida Panthers. Smith though is also up there in age at 33 years old that’s why moving on from the unrestricted free agent makes sense.

The Caps are after a young top six forward that can play wing. At least that’s what I would go for if I was GMBM. Smith had a $3.1 million cap hit and will likely command more money to finish out his career. Money that the Caps don’t have and if they do they need to spend it on youth.

After his trade from the Bruins, Smith had five goals and one assist for six points. In the season finale against the New Jersey Devils he faked out Jack Hughes by calling for a pass in which the Devils 2019 number one draft pick fired right to him.

Smith spent the bulk of his career with the Nashville Predators for nine years after spending the previous three seasons with the Bruins. Where could he wind up next? We’ll find out this summer.

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