With the trade deadline fast approaching (12 days), NHL analysts and beat writers are abuzz about what the first-place Washington Capitals might do for the stretch run. Will they add a veteran goalie? Maybe a depth center?

There’s one problem. As of Tuesday, March 30, the Capitals have [drumroll please] $10 of cap space.

Per this screenshot from CapFriendly:

That made me wonder. Just for fun, what are some everyday things the Capitals can’t afford currently?

• A large turkey sub from Wegman’s ($11.50)
• An Alex Ovechkin Funko Pop ($11.49)
• The Sonic The Hedgehog bluray ($13.99)
• An RMNB T-Shirt ($20)
• Barack Obama’s A Promised Land ($23.23)
• Filling up your car’s gas tank (~$20)
• A steak burrito with guac from Chipotle (~$12)
• A Capitals’ gaiter scarf ($12)
• A 4-pack of Dove shampoo ($13.99)
• A tin of Tim Horton’s original blend coffee ($25.99)
• Capitals sandals ($25)
• Taylor Swift’s latest CD ($13.81)
• A stuffed animal of a bear ($14.99)
• Baby wipes ($14.99)
• Tom Wilson’s 43 Burger
• The PS5 game Madden 21 ($19.88)

What this all means is that if the Capitals want to make a trade, they’ll have to be really clever. They might have to move money (a roster player) elsewhere, focus on making only player-for-player deals (who make similar salary), or have a team take on an acquired player’s salary to make it happen. With brilliant assistant GM Don Fishman at the helm (he navigates the team’s daily salary cap position), the team will be prepared to make something complicated work.

Just don’t ask Brian MacLellan to buy you a popular CD or movie. Because if the transaction involves using funds from the Capitals’ cap space, he can’t right now. And that’s kind of funny.

Headline photo: Pixabay

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