Washington Capital’s general manager Chris Patrick has the pieces to add one of the league’s top forwards to their lineup, a goal he has publicly stated on more than one occasion. With the players, prospects, and draft picks to be a player in the trade market, the Caps can add a difference maker to their top six and there are some big names in the rumor mill should interest Washington’s front office. Over the next week, I will breakdown the top players the top players how may be available, what they would bring to the Capitals lineup, what the Caps might have to give up in a trade, and if it’s worth it.
The Rules: A skilled forward who can play in the top six for any team makes the list. I will keep to player sunder 30 years old since the Capitals are trying to get younger. Cole Hutson and Ryan Leonard are untouchable, in my opinion; Ilya Protas should be as well, so I will not include any of them in trade proposals.
Jason Robertson
Jason Robertson is one of the best wingers in the league. According to hockey-reference.com, Robertson has scored at a rate of 1.08 points per game, has scored 80+ points in four times—and just missed a fifth in 2021when he only scored 79 in 74 games. Robinson is a three-time 40+ goal scorer and had a career high 109 points in 2022-23. He isn’t fast or flashy but is a reliable two-way player, with a relative Corsi of 60.3, which qualifies as elite. Robertson can play on both wings and would be an immediate upgrade to the Capitals powerplay, which desperately needs a jumpstart.
Why He May Be Available
Robertson will be a restricted free agent on July 1. Dallas can match any offer Robertson signs. But Dallas has just over $11 million in cap space according to Puck Pedia. Robertson will probably be worth more than of $14 million per year and could get more if he were to hit the open market. He doesn’t seem interested at this point in taking a home team discount and knows the Stars have fish or cut bait. Dallas would have to trade a veteran like Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell or Matt Duschene to clear enough room. They gave up a lot to get Mikko Rantanen from Carolina last season and recently resigned Wyatt Johnston at $8.4 million per year through 2029-30. It may sound sacrilegious for someone to want to ship J.R. out of Dallas, but the numbers are tight. Something has to give.
What A Trade Would a Look Like
My guess is that it will take an NHLer, a prospect and one first rounder, and maybe another pick (a first or second next year.) Maybe the Caps can trade both of the firsts this year instead of losing one of their forward prospects. Dallas might want a young stud defensive prospect, but the Caps don’t have a real stud defensive prospect other than Hutson, who I don’ think the Caps will think about trading. Andrew Cristall, Terik Parascak, and Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre or Ivan Miroschnichenko would all be attractive to other teams.
Chris Patrick has the pieces to make this work. Robertson won’t come cheap as he turns twenty-seven and enters his prime. But players like Jason Robertson aren’t available that often, nor do they last long on the market when they are. He would upgrade the top six and would breathe life into the power play. He is exactly the kind of player the Capitals are looking to add. If they can pry him away from Dallas without giving up the farm, it would be a smart move.
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