The Washington Capitals made several huge additions this past offseason, fueling their journey to the top of the NHL standings 50 games into the 2024-25 season. However, general manager Chris Patrick and the rest of the team’s front office reportedly want to make another tweak to their roster.
According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Washington is still looking to acquire some help up front ahead of the NHL’s March 7 trade deadline. LeBrun shared the details in his most recent “NHL rumblings” post on Wednesday.
“My sense is the Caps would like to add another top-nine winger before the deadline,” LeBrun writes. “Whether that’s a second-line or third-line player depends on what the market makes possible. But I believe that’s their stated need internally.”
LeBrun’s report tracks with the players the Capitals have recently been linked to on the rumor wire. Washington has been connected to two Seattle Kraken forwards, Yanni Gourde and Brandon Tanev, and the New York Islanders’ Brock Nelson.
Per PuckPedia, the Capitals are projected to have $3.65 million in cap space at the deadline. That number is impacted by Sonny Milano’s contract being on long-term injured reserve. Milano had been regularly practicing with his teammates before the team’s current five-game road trip.
Washington bringing in another winger would have ripple effects down the lineup for players lower on the team’s depth chart. Jakub Vrana was a regular in the team’s lineup early in the season but has played in just four games since the holiday break, earning $775,000 against the salary cap, while Ethen Frank has made a successful jump to the NHL on the wing recently, earning glowing reviews from head coach Spencer Carbery. Washington may need to send either or both players down to fit a trade acquisition under the 23-man roster limit.
The Capitals also need to consider having a roster spot open for prospect Ryan Leonard, who will likely sign an entry-level contract once his NCAA season with Boston College ends in the spring.
Patrick tells LeBrun that any desire the Capitals have to add to their team has nothing to do with last Friday’s massive move from the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals’ Metropolitan Division rival added star winger Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche in a blockbuster three-team trade.
“It doesn’t really change anything for us,” Patrick said. “We will follow the same process we always do at this time of year, and if there are opportunities to improve our team, we will pursue them.”
If the Capitals are buyers at the 2025 deadline, it will be the first time under Carbery’s guidance that they’re exclusively looking to add to their team mid-season.
