The NHL’s 2026 Trade Deadline is just four days away on March 6 at 3 pm.
With the Eastern Conference playoff race only getting tighter down the stretch, the Washington Capitals may be tempted to try to add to their roster to get an edge over the rest of the teams vying for so few postseason spots. The Caps have been rumored to want an upgrade within their top-six forward group, but the supply of those types of players isn’t likely to be expansive this year.
Ahead of the big day later this week, hockey’s preeminent insider, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, outlined on the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast what he believes the Capitals may have interest in doing.
“Washington’s an interesting one to me because it’s going to be a tough battle for them to make the playoffs,” Friedman said. “So, I think if they add, I think their preference is to add someone they could keep for a while. Like, we all know what they said, and Chris Patrick came out and said it. That they need somebody who can make life a little easier for them to score, right? It’s too hard for them to score. But I can’t imagine they’re too big in the rental game, and they’re more into the, if we add, can have them for a while.”
The Capitals have been mentioned as interested in a couple of big-time players who have become available via trade this season, namely Quinn Hughes and Artemi Panarin. However, their actual interest in completing a deal for either is still in question. The team has plenty of cap space to pursue an impact player, with $13.8 million free now and $15.1 free at the deadline, per PuckPedia.
Heading into future seasons, the Capitals are also scheduled to keep a sizable amount of space in a still-growing cap environment. They are presently set to have $36.5 million in the summer, $55.9 million ahead of the 2027-28 season, and $63.9 million for the 2028-29 campaign.
Outside of determining the future of franchise legends Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson, the only other short-term major roster decision for the Capitals will be regarding Connor McMichael. The 25-year-old forward is set to be a restricted free agent after this season, likely seeking a large raise on his $2.1 million salary.
While there do not appear to be many committed sellers this season, there are still some players rumored to be available who could fit the Capitals’ desire to acquire a more long-term piece. The Athletic’s Chris Johnston released the eighth edition of his “NHL trade board” this year on Monday, and a few names could be fits in DC.
Among the top forward names on Johnston’s list, with term left on their contracts past this season, are Vincent Trocheck (NYR), Nazem Kadri (CGY), Robert Thomas (STL), Steven Stamkos (NSH), Ryan O’Reilly (NSH), Elias Pettersson (VAN), Conor Garland (VAN), Brayden Schenn (STL), Jonathan Marchessault (NSH), Shane Wright (SEA), Ryan Strome (ANA), Jordan Kyrou (STL), Jake DeBrusk (VAN), and Kiefer Sherwood (SJS).
The starring names among that group are Thomas, Pettersson, and Kyrou, but they won’t come without substantial cost. The Blues are thought to want a similar return for Thomas to what the Canucks got for Hughes, which was three former first-round draft choices, Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, and Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round draft pick.
Pettersson and Kyrou may come cheaper than Thomas, but not by that much. The cost would still likely involve young NHL roster players, top prospects, and high draft picks. The Canucks also reportedly have no interest in retaining any of Pettersson’s $11.6 million cap hit through the 2031-32 campaign.
As things currently stand in the playoff hunt, the Capitals are six points back of the New York Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division and two points back of the Boston Bruins for the second wild card playoff position. The Islanders still hold a game in hand on the Caps, and the Bruins hold three.
