Photo: Maddie Meyer
Beyond 2012 fourth round pick Thomas Di Pauli, the Capitals have only two other targets they’re looking to lock up: restricted free agents Marcus Johansson and Dmitry Orlov. Johansson, who signed a one-year, $3.75 million arbitrated deal last summer, opted for player-elected arbitration again today before the 5pm deadline. This upcoming season is Mojo’s last team-controlled year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He’s due another raise.
Meanwhile, talented Russian defenseman Dmitry Orlov did not opt for arbitration and will continue negotiating with the team.
The news was first reported by the Capitals’ Mike Vogel.
#Caps forward Marcus Johansson has elected to file for arbitration. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov chose not to do so. Deadline was 5 pm today.
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) July 5, 2016
Via the NHLPA, here are all 24 players who elected for arbitration this summer.
From the @NHLPA pic.twitter.com/0bUzVEcMmk
— Jason Brough (@JasonBroughTSN) July 5, 2016
According to General Fanager, the Capitals have just over $8 million in cap space available to sign all three players. Johansson will command at least half of that available salary with a new deal. It’s unknown if the Capitals are looking to lock up Johansson long term and sign him through his first few free agency years. The 2016-17 season is the second and final year of what MacLellan has termed the Caps’ prime Cup window before big decisions have to be made about the future.
What is known is that Johansson’s price next season is going to push Washington close to the cap.
MacLellan on Johansson: "He got some pretty decent stats & some of the comparables could have a higher number than we’re comfortable with."
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 21, 2016
And teams have been inquiring about Johansson’s availability.
Capitals getting calls from GMs on Marcus Johansson but preference remains to sign him. Contract talks continue. He's RFA.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) June 21, 2016
MacLellan believes, at least publicly, that the team can play some Salary Jenga and get everything to fit.
MacLellan: "We're confident we're going to get everything to fit" with rest of UFAs. Said plan is still to qualify the four of them.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 25, 2016
We’ll see how everything plays out.
Arbitration hearings will take place in Toronto from July 20 to August 4.
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