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Capitals may have to part ways with members of core |
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The Caps are in some trouble.
It's widely known that this is "the year" for the Washington Capitals. This is the make-or-break season to go all the way and win the Stanley Cup.
However, this year, so far, the Capitals have shot out of the gate with a bum leg. They currently sit 4th in the Metro Division with a 13-7-3 record, good for 29 points.
The lack of energy this team is projecting is astounding, and, like any team in the league, when you play poorly the rumors begin to stir, especially when the majority of your team is up for new contracts at the end of the year.
The Washington Capitals and GM Brian MacLellan will have their hands full as the following roster players will be UFA's at seasons end:
T.J. Oshie
Justin Williams
Daniel Winnik
Karl Alzner
The following players will be RFA's:
Evgeny Kuznersov
Andre Burakovsky
Brett Connolly
Dmitry Orlov
Nate Schmidt
Philipp Grubauer
10 roster spots will need to be addressed, and chances are strong that most of these guys won't be back next year.
The Capitals are up against a wall, and it will take some craftsmanship for MacLellan to resign whom he thinks is worth keeping around.
Karl Alzner is one of those players who this organization wants to hold on to. He was drafted 5th overall by the Caps in 2007. He has played in every game for the Capitals since 2010-11 and has been a quiet rock on defense. In 532 career games, the 28 year old has 18 goals and 90 assists to go along with just 159PIM.
Alzner is a traditional defenseman in the likes of HOF Rod Langway. He is quiet, yet effective and has been an iron man for the Capitals. However, with his contract ending, Alzner is up for a big pay raise from his $2.8M salary.
He should command upwards of $6M and there are plenty of teams that will vie for his attention. The British Columbia native may want to return home and play in Western Canada. The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are the two teams that I think will kick the tires the hardest.
Another team that will look at Alzner will be the newest addition to the NHL, the Las Vegas Golden Knights. With former Caps GM, George McPhee at the helm, the Knights will be paying close attention to players like Alzner to build their team into a contender.
The Capitals have a bevy of talent down in Hershey. Up-and-coming defensive prospects include Madison Bowey, Jonas Siegenthaler, and Christian Djoos. All three players should have a taste of the NHL next season.
The Capitals will have about $730k to use at the trade deadline and tinker with the lineup to make a huge playoff push. Last year, the Caps traded Brooks Laich and his $4.5M salary to Toronto for Daniel Winnik. Could we see another long-time Capitals' player go?
If the team continues at its current click, then yes. It's all or nothing this year with this group, then the mild-rebuild begins. If Washington can turn it around after the New Year and play a better, hungrier brand of hockey, they then run into a scenario where they could lose Alzner, or any one of their FA's, without any return (just like Mike Green).
More to come...
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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