Things are about to get spicy with the Washington Capitals. A report came out that the team is exploring options to trade up from the eighth overall pick.
That’s a bold strategy cotton especially when they were THIS CLOSE to winning the Draft Lottery.
We are five days away from the NHL Draft and the Caps current eighth pick position in the first round would give them someone who can make an impact in a couple years.
But if you trade up, depending on who you draft, could the development to the NHL be quicker?
This report came from David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
With the NHL Draft five days away, the Capitals are exploring ways to move up from 8th overall, the Flyers are hoping to add another first-round pick, the Blues continue to dangle No25 & No29, and the Leafs are shopping the 28th pick for immediate help.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 23, 2023
If Brian MacLellan can execute a trade up it would put the Caps in prime position to draft Matvei Michkov. They want him but if they stay put at eighth another team could easily snatch him up.
Speaking of Michkov, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet mentioned on his 32 Thoughts podcast that the Russian prospect is making himself available to speak with teams prior to draft day.
Friedman also heard that there is one team that is planning on taking him even if a meeting with him doesn’t happen. He believes that team could be the Philadelphia Flyers who are just ahead of the Caps with the seventh pick.
Another team that could threaten the Caps pursuit of Michkov is the Montreal Canadiens who hold the fifth pick. So Caps gotta land in the top four to leapfrog those teams.
No chance they land number one but if they do trade with the Chicago Blackhawks I’d rather have Michkov than Connor Bedard at this point. Yeah I’m crazy.
So number two is Anaheim Ducks. That’s unlikely as well. So that leaves us with number three Columbus Blue Jackets and number four San Jose Sharks to do a transaction with.
Something is cooking. Did the Hershey Bears inspire them? Going to be an interesting draft.