The Washington Capitals are apparently ready to be aggressive during the offseason.
After acquiring Pierre-Luc Dubois from the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, general manager Brian MacLellan is expected to be “very busy” moving forward according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“Someone told me too that Washington is not done,” Friedman said on Saturday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast. “I think Washington is going to be very busy. I heard there is more coming there.”
MacLellan has been open about his desire to add to the team’s top six forward ranks. Free agency and deals made before the draft present the best opportunity for a move.
The Capitals have stockpiled draft picks after being sellers at the last two trade deadlines. The team holds its first-round draft selection in the next three drafts, four second-round draft picks in the next two drafts, and five third-round draft picks in the next two drafts.
After the acquisition of Dubois, the Capitals are projected by CapFriendly to have $12.935 million in cap space. Nicklas Backstrom’s $9.2 million cap hit remains on LTIR and the team has an additional $3.735 million in room.
Over the offseason, the only internal moves Washington needs to make are re-signing restricted free agents like Connor McMichael and Beck Malenstyn.
