Photo: Mike Ehrmann

During Hockey Night In Canada, Elliotte Friedman took part in a Headlines segment and spoke about several players who are potentially on the trading block. One Capital in particular made that list.

Friedman:

“Some names to keep an eye out. Gridlock in the NHL when it comes to trades. Marcus Johansson. Washington. Word is some teams have inquired about him. The Capitals want to see apparently if Andre Burakovsky can reach an elite level as a top-six forward before considering that move.”

Johansson, who skates with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Justin Williams on the Caps’s second line, is signed to an arbitrated one-year, $3.75 million contract. So far this season Johansson is sixth on the team in points, tallying five goals and ten assists in 27 games. Johansson is an important part of the team’s power-play zone entry scheme and one of the best skaters on the team, but the Caps have depth in skill forwards, struggling to find ample ice time for Burakovsky, Tom Wilson, and Stan Galiev.

Meanwhile, the Caps could use more depth on defense with Brooks Orpik missing 14 straight games with a lower body injury.

Stay tuned.

Thanks to @gregs6711 and @e23plumer for the heads up.