Capitals GM promises changes after first round loss; is there a hockey trade to be made with the Leafs?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to see some changes this summer, but whether those changes are large or small remains to be seen. I'd imagine that a lot of it hinges on whether or not Kyle Dubas is back with the team or not. A new GM likely makes more moves, but Dubas likely sticks with the process, continues to build through the draft and in savvy free agent additions. However, there is another team who was eliminated in round one who has already confirmed that big changes are coming.
According to The Athletic's Tarik El-Bashir, Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan is reportedly looking to make some moves this summer to open up some cap space that he can use to address some roster inefficiencies in free agency.
-MacLellan on his team's summer plans
The Capitals have picks in every round except the 4th round in the upcoming draft that they can attach to players with a higher salary to entice other teams into taking on contracts. They also have some intriguing prospects that can be used as sweeteners for the same purpose if they want to hang onto the draft picks.
The name Evgeny Kuznetsov has come up in trade rumours in recent years and could be a prime candidate to move. Kuznetsov is 29 years of age and has 3 years remaining on his current deal at $7.8M per season. Defenseman Justin Schultz, a pending UFA, is also a candidate to move on as his $4M salary comes off the books this summer.
The Leafs could be a decent trade partner for the Caps on Kuznetsov. If the Buds are looking to shake up the top six and would consider moving one of the "Core 4", maybe a Nylander for Kuznetsov deal could have benefits for both sides - especially if the Leafs can pick up an additional pick or a prospect in the deal for the older and more expensive Kuznetsov.
The most likely candidate to move will be 35-year-old T.J. Oshie, who still has 3 seasons remaining on his deal at $5.75M per season. Oshie will be turning 36 in December and has a modified NTC in his contract, allowing him to submit a 10-team no-trade list. As a result, it could prove difficult to move him without handcuffing him to a pick or a prospect to entice a team into making the deal.
The Caps also have two NHL goaltenders in Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov, who both played 40+ games this season. They could look to settle on one as a starter and move the other in a deal with a team in need of goaltending to address other roster needs.
This is going to be a very interesting summer for the Caps, of that I have no doubt.
| POLL | ||
MAI 15 | 1256 ANSWERS Capitals GM promises changes after first round loss; is there a hockey trade to be made with the Leafs? Should the Leafs consider a Nylander for Kuznetsov trade? | ||
| Absolutely! | 356 | 28.3 % |
| Not a chance | 511 | 40.7 % |
| Only if the balancing pieces benefit Toronto | 389 | 31 % |
| List of polls | ||
