We do not yet know the short and medium term future of the Washington Capitals. Fast, long reset?
GM Brian MacLellan made a big move Thursday by trading second-rounder Dmitry Orlov to the Boston Bruins for first-round picks in 2023, second-round picks in 2025 and third-round picks in 2024.
The Capitals are still in the hunt for a playoff berth, but risked losing Orlov to the free agent market for nothing in return at the end of the season.
The six consecutive defeats of Washington have undoubtedly convinced the boss to start a sale.
Orlov’s departure is significant. In the absence of John Carlson, still far from a return to the game after receiving a puck in the face, Orlov was the most used defenseman for the Capitals.
“This transaction gives us plenty of choices to rejuvenate ourselves,” MacLellan said in a press release. Our season has been filled with trials with injuries to key players and we are in a position where we can use some of our strengths to revive the team and build a competitive club for the future. »
With ten other unrestricted free agents including Lars Eller, Nick Jensen, Erik Gustafsson, Marcus Johansson and Conor Sheary, the sellout isn’t over in Washington.
If MacLellan seems to have put an end to the season, it would nevertheless be surprising if he embarked on a reconstruction operation.
Captain Alex Ovechkin, 37, is under contract for three more seasons and we’ll want to see him break Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record in a Capitals uniform.
Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov and T.J. Oshie, all in their thirties, are under contract for another two years and they will be difficult to trade due to their imposing salary versus their productivity and wear and tear.
Number one defender John Carlson’s contract does not expire until 2026 and goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper’s expires a year later. 25-year-old center Dylan Strome, third in team scoring behind Ovechkin and Kuznetsov with 37 points in 59 games, has just signed a five-year contract extension.
PHOTO DUANE BURLESON, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Alex Ovechkin (8), John Carlson (74), T.J. Oshie (77) and Nicklas Backstrom (19)
The core should therefore be essentially the same in Washington next year, but the defense will have to be rebuilt around Carlson.
MacLellan will be able to use the picks obtained during the trade period to acquire players in the prime of life, much like Doug Armstrong plans to do in St. Louis, and thus allow his star Ovechkin to end his career within a competitive club.
Boston strikes the big blow again
For the second year in a row, the Bruins therefore obtain a leading defenseman for draft picks in the trade period, after Hampus Lindholm in 2022.
Orlov will complete a top four with Lindholm, Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo, or even play on a luxury third pair. Terrifying for the adversary.
By virtue of the Bruins’ standings position, the first-round pick traded to the Capitals would be a long way off, possibly even past the 30e rank if Boston reaches the Finals.
The one offered to the Ducks for Lindholm was located at 22e rank. Anaheim drafted Quebec center Nathan Gaucher, 41 points in 38 games this winter with the Quebec Remparts at 19, and Boston was able to retain Lindholm until 2030. He plays an average of almost 24 minutes per game and has amassed 38 points in 57 games, with a club-best +37 record.
Who knows if the Bruins won’t be able to convince Orlov, 31, to extend his career in Boston like they did with Lindholm.
Mike Sullivan would like reinforcements for the Penguins
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan would like to see his boss Ron Hextall acquire defenseman Jakob Chychrun, but the Penguins GM would be reluctant to give up draft picks, writes team cover Rob Rossi for theathletic.com site on Friday morning.
Rossi cites two inside sources to explain the tug of war between a coach looking for short-term success and a general manager who doesn’t want to lose sight of the bigger picture.
PHOTO TERRENCE LEE, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Jacob Chychrun (6)
The Penguins suffered a painful 7-2 loss at home to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday. In his second game since returning to action, Tristan Jarry was pulled from the game after allowing six goals in two periods.
It gets even tougher in the standings for Pittsburgh. The Penguins find themselves one point behind the Red Wings and the last place giving access to the playoffs, with as many games played.
The holders of the first of the two places of the fourth ace, the New York Islanders, are four points ahead of the Penguins, but they have four more games to play.
Buffalo, winner of the Lightning on Thursday, is just one point down with one more game to go.