The Washington Capitals may be nearing a solution to Ivan Miroshnichenko‘s desire for more playing time elsewhere in the NHL.
In late October, the Capitals gave Miroshnichenko and his agent, Dan Milstein, permission to explore trade opportunities, and those discussions appear to have been somewhat fruitful. Hockey insider David Pagnotta provided the latest on the situation during a recent episode of DFO Insider alongside Jeff Marek.
“The conversation still continues,” Pagnotta said. “They’d like to facilitate this sooner than later. They are inching closer. There are less teams in the mix, but there are still multiple teams that are still going after Miroshnichenko. And the price tag you mentioned last week still seems to hold. First-round pick-plus. At least value-wise.
“May not necessarily be a first-round pick. Maybe a young player (with) first-round pick value that they have more control over and more flexibility in terms of either putting them in the [AHL] or being in junior.”
Marek previously reported that the Capitals were seeking “at least” a first-round pick in return for their 22-year-old winger. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman later compared the situation to Yegor Chinakhov’s last year, when the Columbus Blue Jackets traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick.
On Tuesday’s podcast with Pagnotta, Marek asked whether the insider believed two second-round picks would be enough to close a deal with the Capitals. “Maybe – it really depends on the team and where (in the round) those seconds may end up,” Pagnotta answered.
According to The Fourth Period, the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Seattle Kraken, and Philadelphia Flyers have shown the most interest in a potential trade for Miroshnichenko.
Miroshnichenko has played in just three games for the Capitals this season, averaging 11:03 of ice time and scoring one goal. He hasn’t played since October 20 and has been a healthy scratch for seven straight games. Milstein said last week that Miroshnichenko would like the chance to play top-six minutes on his new team.
“It has to be the right opportunity,” Milstein said. “I mean, he’s part of the team. He’s going to play and stuff like that too. We’re looking for a little bit different opportunity than the one available for this season with Washington Capitals. But there is no timeline. It has to be the right opportunity. But in the end, look, sometimes an agent or player wishes to go to a certain club, but the highest bidder gets the deal done.”
Since being drafted in the first round by Washington in 2022, Miroshnichenko has played in 55 career NHL games, recording 14 points (6g, 8a). Over the past three years, he’s spent most of his time in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, registering 101 points (46g, 55a) in 141 games.
