But they should look into trading Nick Backstrom or Tom Wilson.
The expected signing of Tom Wilson has not yet occured. The controversial player is a group two free-agent, but it's a difficult contract to sign. The former first rounder was essentially a fourth liner until this past seasons, and while the Capitals did win the Cup, and Tom Wilson did play mostly on the first line with Backstrom and Ovechkin, it's not that straight forward.
Yes, first line wingers get paid. Especially when they win the cup.
But Tom Wilson only scored 14 goals. He came close to leading the NHL In penalty minutes. Any value he has is sandbagged by the fact that he takes too many penalties and often is off the ice for a fighting major he took against a useless player on the other team.
So paying him first line money would be insane.
Hence the delay in getting it done (I theorize).
The Capitals have only eight million in cap space. They have a top heavy roster and a low chance at defending their Championship.
They haven't really improved their team since the season ended (Orpik leaving helps, but even for a Cup winning team, addition by subtraction, what that's your only improvement, is a hard sell).
The Capitals should look at packaging Tom Wilson and some draft picks in an attempt to improve their team. Or, if they want to get really creative and crazy, Nick Backstrom.
They've won their Cup, but they've got a limited window here in which to try to win another one, so it would make sense to shake things up in an attempt to get better.
RE-signing Tom Wilson isn't going to get the Caps back to the Finals. There aren't any good free agents left, and Wilson will use up half that money, at least.
The Capitals are lacking in cap space, top prospects and youth. Simultaneously, they're committed to trying to compete for years. Holtby and Backstrom have two years left. Ovechkin, Kuznetsov, Oshie, Eller, Orlov, Niskanen, Kempny and Carlson all have three + years left.
If the Caps management was better at identifying bottom of the roster players, I'd be more optimistic, but they aren't.
The only way this top-heavy team can compete again next year is if they get back a good package of players for Wilson or Backstrom, their only tradable players.
Obviously most people would be against trading these fan favorites, but given their lack of upcoming prospects, their weak bottom of the roster, and their aging core, the Capitals have to do something creative to continue to compete.
It's worth thinking about trading Backstrom or Wilson.
Washington Capitals Blogger • 
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