The Washington Capitals have the 16th and 18th overall picks in the 2026 draft. They want to add a top-six forward and they have the space under the salary cap to do it. But with this summer’s free agent market underwhelming, the trade market seems like their best bet to add an impact player to the roster. Armed with those first rounders and an attractive group of prospects, here are four strategies the Caps could take over the next couple of weeks.
1. Trade both first rounders for a top-six forward
A few teams that are tight under the salary cap have young players due significant raises and have to do some dealing to make it work. Vegas forward Pavel Dorofeyev restricted free agent after scoring 37 goals and 64 points last season. The Dallas Stars are in the same boat with Jason Robertson and Mavrik Bourque. Dallas can probably only resign one of those players and have captain Tyler Seguin to resign. Signing Robertson to an offer sheet for $11.5 million-plus per season would cost the Capitals four first round picks over the next four years as compensation, while Dorofeyev would cost less per-year salary and less in compensation, probably a first, a second and a third. With Capitals likely picking in the bottom third of the draft (if all goes well this summer) perhaps teams will be more willing to make a trade before free agency begins.
2. Trade the 16th pick and draft a top prospect with the 18th
There are other forwards on the market that can porbably be had for less. Elias Petersson, Alex Lafreniere, and Mason McTavish all have some baggage,but are young enough that a change of teams may be beneficial. They will cost less to obtain. The Caps could give up the 16th pick and a prospect and hope newly extended head coach Spencer Carbery can work his magic. The Caps could upgrade their NHL roster and their prospect pool at the same time.
3. Draft a player with no. 16 and trade no. 18 for draft picks
The Caps don’t have any picks in the 2nd, 3rd, or 6th rounds this year. Trading down would give them more bites at the apple in this year's draft while collecting more draft capital to use later. Caps general manager Chris Patrick traded a second and a third for Logan Thompson and a second and a 6th for Justin Sourdif, which shows how valuable draft picks can be in the right hands.
4. Use both picks to draft two prospects Top-20 prospects
Just because they have two first rounders doesn’t mean they have to trade them. If they don't the right trade before the draft, they can add draft the best players on their board. Patrick has said since last summer that the Caps want to upgrade their forward ranks, but he didn't say how or when. Drafting the best available player could give them a valuable trade chip to land that elusive top-six forward. Or maybe they strike gold and one or both picks turn out to be stars and part of the Capitals future.
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