Earlier in the week, the Washington Capitals traded for defensemen Michal Kempny and Jakub Jerabek to add badly-needed depth to their backline.
According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the Capitals may not be done tinkering.
McKenzie says that he’s heard Washington has “inquired on some notable veteran D, those with and without term.”
WSH just added depth rentals on D and have a really tight cap situation; FLA party line is slow and steady (build) wins the race and not of a mind to do anything major. That said, I’ve heard WSH and FLA have inquired on some notable veteran D, those with and without term.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 25, 2018
The big name veteran defensemen that have been rumored to be available include Ottawa’s Erik Karlsson, Detroit’s Mike Green, New York’s Ryan McDonagh, and Columbus’s Jack Johnson.
Karlsson and McDonagh have one year remaining on their deals while Green and Johnson are unrestricted free agents.
Other less heralded defensemen that may be available include Johnny Oduya, Ian Cole, and Ben Hutton.
Rental depth defencemen (Kempny, Davidson etc) have been going for third-round picks and it’s believed that’s what OTT would like to get on pending UFA Ian Cole.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 25, 2018
It’s unknown what the Capitals would send back in any potential deal for a veteran (if they even make one), but rookie forward Jakub Vrana was held out of Saturday night’s game against Buffalo. According to Cap Friendly, the Capitals also have all of their high round draft picks still available to deal (1st through 4th round picks over the next two seasons).
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