The Washington Capitals will be making some roster changes in the next few weeks, but what those changes are is anyone's guess at the moment. GM Brian MacLellan said he will look to free agency and trade to fill the missing pieces. The Caps do have some good players in the pipeline as well, but could look to bring those kids up in the next 2-3 seasons.
So what do the Caps need now?

We've already talked about their need for defense and we know they are looking for a goalie to back-up or even battle Braden Holtby for the number 1 spot. As for the offense, the Caps have a few spots open depending on a few things.

1). Mikhail Grabovski -We still don't know for sure what is going with Grabo. GMBM and Grabo's agent are reportedly talking about a new contract, but the Caps might not want to give Grabovski his apparent asking price and term of around $5M. Grabovski was one of the Caps most consistent players last year, and while he didn't score a ton, his two-way game created offensive chances and that is something the Caps cannot lose.

What are the alternatives to Grabovski not signing?

a). Moving Kuznetsov to the second line center position. GMBM stated this in a teleconference that is a possibility we'll see the rookie in the middle. He will also be playing for a new contract, so his desire to prove his worth, I'm sure, will be there. But is it a good idea to move an non-NHL-experienced player to center? I guess we'll see...

b.) Signing a free agent center. There are a few choices out there for the Caps, but none that would be better than Grabovski on the second line:

David Legwand - The veteran could be an option and playing under Trotz again on a team that boasts more offense could be intriguing. The Caps don't need to sign him for long. Last Year's Cap Hit: $4.5M

Michael Handzus - He wasn't a high-powered offensive machine for Chicago, but he's a steady two-way guy that can create. And he could be a bargain. Last Year's Cap Hit: $1M

Olli Jokinen - The Jets have room for him, but they may not want to bring him back again. Jokinen's not going to put up 70-80 points, but he's a good two-way guy and a great option for a team looking for a number 2 center. Last Year's Cap Hit: $4.5M

Saku Koivu - He may just retire, but Koivu could still give a team like the Caps the veteran presence that it desperately needs. He may not be able to play a second line role anymore, but he's a great option for third or fourth, and he's a great leader. Last Year's Cap Hit: $2.5M

Dave Bolland - The only reason I'm adding him is because you just don't know what direction GMBM is going to go. Bolland could very well be an option for the Caps, but an expensive one. He's not worth the $5M he is reportedly asking for, but teams are calling him anyway. Last Year's Cap Hit: $3.375

2). Where is Ovechkin going to play? Ovechkin's move to RW paid off, but still don't know what Trotz's plans are for Ovie and whether Trotz will move him back to LW.
If Ovechkin stays on the right side, there are 4 other right wingers and that means someone would have to move.

Troy Brouwer, Joel Ward, Eric Fehr and Tom Wilson all played well for the Caps, but Brouwer is the best option to move as it would give Tom Wilson better on-ice time to develop - and beat people up. Is it worth it? Brouwer is one of the only real leaders on this team, and they honestly need him to help bring some positive vibes to the locker room.

Chances are, Trotz moves Ovechkin back to Left Wing because honestly Ovechkin really didn't score that much more on the right side vs the left and he was more of a defensive liability. That would leave Chimera, Johansson, and either Volpatti or a call up of Andre Burakovsky. That's pretty thin. Either way you look at it, the Caps need to strengthen their left side and their scoring depth.

Let's say the Caps move Kuznetsov to center the second line, who could they look for to fill in the left side and provide support and scoring?

1). Jussi Jokinen - He's played extremely well in Pittsburgh over the last season and a half, and he can easily add that secondary scoring the Caps need. Put him with someone like Kuznetsov or (hopefully) Grabovski, and he could duplicate his season last year. And yes, I'm aware that he played with Malkin. Last Year's Cap Hit: $3M

2). Dany Heatley - Now, hold on - let me at least explain my logic. He's not going to score 40 goals anymore (or maybe even 20), we know that, but he's also not getting paid $7.5M a year. Heatley's had a rough few years and he's lost his game. Now that he's free of that contract, teams might be willing to give him a shot for a year or two, and he may even regain the confidence he once had. He still has a helluva shot and would be a nice option on the second PP unit. Last Year's Cap Hit: $7.5M

3). Mason Raymond - He's probably going to make a little more than he did last season, but he could provide some toughness, and can score 20 goals in the right setting. He was a steal last season for the Leafs and could be for again for another team. Last Year's Cap Hit: $1M

4). David Booth - Think about the speed the Caps would have on the left side with Booth on the second or third line. He did not play well in Vancouver - at all - but all the Canucks struggled on the scoresheet last year. I think he can still give the right team a boost, for the right price of course. Last Year's Cap Hit: $4.2M

Now I'm not saying the Caps are looking at these players, and I'm not saying they'll even sign any of these players. I just find these players interesting.

The Capitals may not even sign any forwards at all, and they'll stick with the current offensive lineup - and then I'll cry, but I'm a Caps fan and I'm used to that.

Discuss it and please keep your comments within the boundaries of good taste.

More to come...

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