Update, 3 PM: The Caps have traded Burakovsky to Colorado. Original story follows:
Recently, Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said he’d like to keep forward Andre Burakovsky around.
“Andre had a frustrating year, but I think he finished it up well,” MacLellan said before the NHL Draft. “From the trade deadline on, and he had a good playoffs. We like the player. There’s been some inconsistencies there, but when he’s on his game he’s a good player. We’d like to keep him around. Obviously, his name’s out there a little bit, so we do talk to some teams on him. We’re not going to move him unless get something we feel is comfortable back.”
Two weeks later, Burakovsky’s name is back in the rumor mill. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman is reporting, vaguely, that the Swedish forward could be on his way out to Colorado.
Hearing some Burakovsky with Colorado. We’ll see
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 28, 2019
On Tuesday, Burakovsky was given a $3.25 million qualifying offer by the Capitals, allowing them to retain his rights as a restricted free agent.
Keeping Burakovsky on the team, however, was always going to be a difficult juggling act with the salary cap being $1.5 million lower than previously projected ($81.5 million).
Burakovsky is currently in his native Sweden preparing for next season.
GIF: @jonasmorin.themotionstudio
This story is developing.
