The Washington Capitals sit in the most comfortable spot in the standings but if they were to go that Presidents' Trophy route it's important they finish. The other ones didn't and it's very rare to do. That being said there's still a trade deadline on March 7. Who would the Caps need to fill their needs to the roster?
It looks like their primary objective is a third line center per Frank Seravalli of The Daily Face Off. He would say this about the Caps:
"Rookie GM Chris Patrick already addressed this need earlier in the season by bringing back Lars Eller from Pittsburgh, but Eller is probably better suited for a fourth line role at this point in his career. The center market is incredibly thin this year, adding to the challenge. But this is a Capitals team that could go on a deep run. Also keeping an eye on goaltending with Charlie Lindgren's recent concussion and Logan Thompson being asked to play a lot."Frank Seravalli of The Daily Face Off
Here are some names that the Caps could potentially target. Will they actually do it is the hot question:
Brock Nelson: This center from the New York islanders currently has 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points in 45 games. The big con is that he is 33 years of age but he is a veteran kind of like Lars Eller is. Better player for sure but would it cost more than draft picks to get him is the question. The hardest part about being this far ahead of teams like the Islanders who sit in the division is would they ask for.
J.T. Miller: The 31 year old center currently has eight goals and 23 assists for 31 points. Last season he finsihed with 37 goals and 66 assists for 103 points. He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round at 15th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He recently had two assists in Vancouver's win on Saturday over the Edmonton Oilers, who the Caps will be seeing next at the time of this writing.
Elias Pettersson: Another center from the Canucks, he's slightly younger as he just turned 26. He's got 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points including a game winning goal while averaging 19:09 minutes of ice time. Last season he had 34 goals and 55 assists for 89 points and the season before that saw him put up 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points.
Those are just three names in a thin center market but there's still plenty more out there if Chris Patrick truly decides if he wants to make a move.