Top 3 forwards the Capitals should sign in free agency
NHL Free Agency is well underway and while the Washington Capitals have made some moves the signings have mostly been for their AHL club while one Max Pacioretty will help the lineup once he’s healthy. They hope.
But there might still be some forwards available to shape up their top six. That’s what we’ll look at here. Keep in mind the Caps may have to make a trade first before they sign any free agents.
At least that’s what their bank account looks like according to Cap Friendly. Their cap space is at $888,333.
Here are some players that are available that could make sense:
#3 Max Comtois
Max Comtois might be the youngest player on this list. He was selected at 50th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Anaheim Ducks but things just didn’t turn out well over there for the 24 year old.
This guy can improve the top six or the third line and will be available for a cheap price. He only scored 19 points in 64 games last season.
He might have to be signed to a cheap, one year or two year prove it contract but the Quebec native can easily find his game in Washington. Especially with no Peter Laviolette.
#2 Vladimir Tarasenko
Vladimir Tarasenko is on the move. He was traded from the St. Louis Blues midseason, the place where he won the Stanley Cup with in 2019. He got traded to the New York Rangers, who would blow a 2-0 first round lead to the New Jersey Devils to bow out in seven games.
In those seven games for the Rangers he had three goals and four points. In the regular season he had 18 goals and 50 points over 69 games.
The problem of course is that he’s 31 and the Caps want to and should try to get younger.
But I’m sure the Russian is friends with Alex Ovechkin so I have no problem with that either. It is also possible that he might not be available. He could re sign with the New York Rangers.
But like the Caps the Rangers are tight against the salary cap. They would probably have to decide between re signing Tarasenko or Patrick Kane. Unless they can’t afford either player.
Recently Tarasenko changed agents in hopes of finding the right NHL deal so he can finish off his good NHL career strong.
#1 Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews is a center so if Nicklas Backstrom decides to call it a career? Cool, he’s in center. If Backstrom stays around, would he consider moving to wing?
Maybe he can benefit from that.
He was a longtime key contributor on a Chicago Blackhawks dynasty that won three Stanley Cups and he also won multiple gold medals with Team Canada at the Olympics.
The downside of course is his age as like Ovechkin he is in the backhand of his career. He’s 35.
The salary cap will increase next year which makes this a slim possibility. He won’t be worth $10.5 million but he’ll be somewhere between that and $2 million.
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Toews scored 15 goals and added 16 assists for 31 points. Those are the guys who I think the Caps should go for in free agency. But let’s see if they make a trade first.