- The Capitals are looking to add depth both up front and on the back end before Friday’s trade deadline, reports David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period (Twitter link). With Washington leading the way in the Eastern Conference, it’s understandable that their preference would be to avoid doing anything to shake up the core of their group. They have $3.65MM remaining in their LTIR pool, per PuckPedia, meaning that if they want to make a couple of additions while still leaving room for injury replacements, they’re going to be primarily looking at low-cost pickups.
Capitals Rumors
Capitals Assign Alexander Alexeyev To AHL On Conditioning Loan
The Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals are seeking more playing time for one of the team’s depth defensemen. Washington announced they’ve assigned Alexander Alexeyev to their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, on a conditioning loan.
There should be an honest question about why this move didn’t happen sooner. Alexeyev has registered zero points in five games with Washington this season, averaging 13:13 of ice time per game, with his last contest coming on November 8th. Assigning him on a conditioning loan allows Alexeyev two weeks in the AHL without requiring waivers, although he does have to sign off on the assignment.
It would be difficult for the Capitals to find a better situation for Alexeyev. The Bears are again one of the top teams in the American Hockey League standings with a 31-14-5-0 record in 50 games played, just six points back of the league-leading Rochester Americans with three games in hand. Hershey could create quite the formidable duo on defense should they pair Alexeyev with Ethan Bear, who’s scored eight goals and 33 points in 46 games this season.
Due to a relatively healthy blue line, Washington hasn’t needed Alexeyev much this season. Still, even when their defensive core sustained a few injuries, the Capitals deployed veteran Dylan McIlrath more than the St. Petersburg, Russia native. Neither defenseman has played all that well in limited action, leading to speculation that the Capitals could add a more consistent depth option at the trade deadline.
Throughout his career, Alexeyev has scored one goal and eight points in 77 games for Washington since debuting in the 2021-22 season. He’s been relatively physical over that stretch with 117 blocked shots and 88 hits but still has a career Expected +/- of -5.7, according to Hockey Reference.
He’s understandably been more influential at the AHL level, scoring six goals and 44 assists in 142 contests with the Bears with a +26 rating. Alexeyev can play six games on the conditioning loan for AHL Hershey should he stay for the maximum of two weeks.
Washington Capitals Hoping To Trade Ethan Bear
- Despite being the top team in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals are expected to sell one player from their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. In a short clip from TSN’s Insider Trading, insider Chris Johnston reported the Capitals are looking to accommodate Ethan Bear’s desire to play in the NHL and move him to a team with openings on the blue line. Washington may have a better idea of what that looks like closer to deadline day, but Bear should garner some interest, scoring eight goals and 33 points in 46 AHL contests. He’s in the final season of a two-year, $4.13MM contract and hasn’t suited up in an NHL game since March 13, 2024.
[SOURCE LINK]
Capitals Looking For Bottom-Six Forward Help
As most assumed, the Capitals’ top priority ahead of next week’s trade deadline is adding a piece to their bottom-six forward group, Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic wrote Friday. Don’t expect a bigger splash than that, he cautions.
“Their main goal seems to be achieving balance in finding ways to improve the team while not tinkering too much with a team that has played so well all season and a group that trusts and plays for each other,” LeBrun wrote. “That may sound a bit corny, but one thing the Caps have learned over the years is not to overextend themselves at the trade deadline. There’s a feeling within the organization that there were some years when they were ’all-in’ last decade that they added too much and upset the apple cart.”
Yet Washington’s roster has forced its front office into making at least one pickup of some significance. A major offseason retool has yielded their best regular season since winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2016-17, on pace for 117 points and the Metropolitan Division title all but secured.
While a forward upgrade may not seem like it should be the top priority for a team that leads the league in goals per game (3.63), it’s the most apparent need on paper. The Caps’ defense has performed well, ranking 11th in the league with 27.4 shots against per game, and Logan Thompson has checked in as a legitimate challenger to the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck for the Vezina Trophy between the pipes with Charlie Lindgren as a capable No. 2 option. There’s also not much flexibility on that defense core – all of their six regular blue-liners make at least $2.675MM against the cap – not exactly the kind of salary a cap-strapped Washington club can afford to have in the press box. A cheap upgrade on extras Alexander Alexeyev and Dylan McIlrath may be in the cards, though.
Nonetheless, the Caps’ lack of significant financial flexibility ($3.65MM in space on deadline day, per PuckPedia) and overall roster construction will inform the type of player they go after. As LeBrun notes, they also want to have some room for 2023 No. 8 overall pick Ryan Leonard, who’s tracking to turn pro following his sophomore season at Boston College. The 20-year-old center/winger is amid a 27-goal, 42-point campaign through 31 showings.
If they’re looking for a piece to slot into the third line, a physical edge will presumably be more desirable than a scoring touch. They don’t need any help putting the puck in the net – even AHL call-up Ethen Frank is helping out with 4-2–6 through his first 18 NHL games in a third-line role. There’s undoubtedly a playoff upgrade to be had on the 5’11” late-blooming 27-year-old, though. Veteran Lars Eller may be overtaxed as a No. 3 center with 6-6–12 in 40 games since being re-acquired from the Penguins in November, but he’s relieved by minute-munching fourth-line pivot Nic Dowd (who’s tracking for a career-high 29 points).
That leaves checking wingers like Seattle’s Brandon Tanev and Boston’s Trent Frederic as some of the more obvious targets. Both carry cap hits under the Caps’ available space, so they’d be feasible without retention or a roster player heading the other way. Pending Canadiens UFA Joel Armia is likely out there as a defensively responsible option, too.
Trade Deadline Primer: Washington Capitals
With the 4 Nations Face-Off now complete, the trade deadline looms large and is less than two weeks away. Where does each team stand, and what moves should they be looking to make? We continue our look around the league with the Washington Capitals.
Hopes are as high as they could be in Washington as the Trade Deadline nears. The Capitals have been on top of the Metropolitan Division since mid-December with no signs of slowing down. Washington posted a 4-1-2 record and plus-11 goal-differential in February, with one game left in the month. Their success is spearheaded by captain Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record and backed by fantastic summer additions. After an incredibly fruitful off-season, this Deadline will be rookie general manager Chris Patrick’s first chance to carry the hot-hand into the season.
Record
38-12-8, 1st in the Metropolitan Division.
Deadline Status
Budget Buyer
Deadline Cap Space
$3.65MM on deadline day, 0/3 retention spots used, 47/50 contract slots used, per PuckPedia.
Upcoming Draft Picks
2025: WAS 1st, BOS 2nd, WAS 2nd, CAR 3rd, WAS 4th, WAS 5th
2026: WAS 1st, WAS 2nd, VGK 4th, WAS 4th, WAS 5th, WAS 6th, WAS 7th
Trade Chips
The Capitals have found fantastic chemistry at the top of their lineup, and will base their deadline around not stirring the pot too much because of it. Most of the Capitals trade assets sit down their depth chart. The group is headlined by former first-round draft pick Hendrix Lapierre, who landed in the minor-leagues at the start of the new year after recording just eight assists in 27 NHL games. He’s in the midst of a slumping season after posting 22 points in 51 games as an NHL rookie last year. But Lapierre has been routinely effective in the minor-leagues, with 17 points in 21 games last season and 13 points in 15 games this year. He was a top young prospect, and earned a first-round selection despite multiple injuries in his age-17 and age-18 seasons. Lapierre has untapped upside that could make him enticing enough to base a larger buy around.
Young defenseman Alexander Alexeyev finds himself in a similar spot to Lapierre. He’s spent the year as Washington’s seventh-man, stepping into just five games and recording no scoring and a minus-four. Also a former first-round pick, Alexeyev punched into 71 games over the last two seasons – but hasn’t scored more than five points in a single year. He’s a six-foot-four, 213-pound defender with a long reach and stout control of the defensive end that, like Lapierre, could be just enough to garner the interest of a deadline seller.
Aside from the pair of youngsters on the lineup fringe, the Capitals may lack the assets to make a big move. Veteran centerman Lars Eller seems to be in the right rut for a move, with just 12 points in 39 games in Washington – but the Capitals aren’t likely to garner more than the third and fifth round draft picks they traded for him in November. Both third-line forward Andrew Mangiapane and third-pair defender Trevor van Riemsdyk have played strong enough to earn interest of their own, but the Capitals would likely be hard-pressed to move functioning cogs in the midst of another hot streak. Their deadline will be a balancing act between preparing for the playoffs, and not rocking the boat – as they try to maintain momentum that could very well land them the President’s Trophy.
Team Needs
1) Impactful Bottom-Six Center – Eller has averaged 12:28 in ice time this season, while holding a firm grip on third-line center and second-unit penalty killing duties. He’s performed well enough to stay put, but the lack of a driver on the third-line could be Washington’s downfall in the postseason. Finding a difference maker to couple with Eller and Nic Dowd in the bottom-six is an achievable and potentially defining move for Washington to pursue. They’ll have plenty of options on the open market. The New York Islanders finally seem poised to bank on Brock Nelson’s late-career performances. Nelson has 15 goals and 32 points in 52 games this season, and made Team USA’s starting lineup at the recent 4-Nations tournament. Should he prove too old or two slow, Washington could find a performer in the midst of his prime in Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Donato. Donato is having a career year, with 19 goals and 39 points in 56 games on one of the league’s lowest-scoring offenses. He’s a reasonable upside bet that shouldn’t come at a rich price – an ideal match for the asset-strapped Capitals. Other options could include Montreal power-forward Jake Evans, Boston enforcer Trent Frederic, or Colorado upside-bet Casey Mittelstadt.
2) Depth Wingers – The Capitals are receiving fantastic efforts from their depth wingers. Mangiapane, Taylor Raddysh, and Brandon Duhaime have performed well enough to hold onto their roles, and Jakub Vrana and Ethen Frank have shown flashes of scoring in their limited minutes. But the Capitals lack a truly binding piece down their flanks. Bruins winger Justin Brazeau could give the Capitals a bit more grit and well-rounded offense at a minimal acquisition cost. The Capitals could also find a reasonably priced upside bet in Toronto shooter Nicholas Robertson. Brazeau has 20 points, split evenly, in 54 games; while Robertson has 11 goals and 16 points in 50 games. Neither players would be particularly thrilling additions, but could give Washington helpful variety as they hope for an extended run to their season.
Sonny Milano Nearing A Return
- After missing the last four months of action due to an upper-body injury, a return to game action is on the horizon for Washington Capitals’ forward Sonny Milano. According to Bailey Johnson of the Washington Post, Milano was upgraded to a full-contact jersey for today’s practice. Unfortunately for Milano, given the likelihood of the league-leading Capitals’ adding one or two forwards before next Friday’s trade deadline, Milano is a strong candidate for waivers upon his activation from the long-term injured reserve.
[SOURCE LINK]
No Recent Contract Talks Between Capitals And Chychrun
- While Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun made it known last month that he’s open to signing a contract extension with Washington, he told reporters including Sammi Silber of The Hockey News (Twitter link) that there haven’t been any extension discussions since before the break. The 26-year-old has been a great addition for Washington, already notching 14 goals and 21 assists through 50 games while logging 21 minutes a night. He’s well on his way to earning a sizable raise on his current $4.6MM price tag but it doesn’t appear a new deal is coming in the near future.
Milano Still Not Close To Returning
- Sammi Silber of The Hockey News relays that while Capitals winger Sonny Milano was skating in a non-contact jersey before the 4 Nations break, he’s still a ways away from returning to the lineup. The 28-year-old suffered an upper-body injury in his third game of the season and hasn’t played since. Assuming he’ll see some time with AHL Hershey on a conditioning assignment, it’s possible that Milano won’t be back until after the trade deadline when roster maximum sizes are no longer in effect.
Capitals To Release Hardy Haman Aktell After He Cleared Unconditional Waivers
Saturday: Haman Aktell passed through waivers unclaimed today, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports. That will pave the way for his contract to be terminated.
Friday: The Capitals placed defenseman Hardy Haman Aktell on unconditional waivers Friday as a precursor to a mutual contract termination, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports. He will become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow if he clears and will likely return to his native Sweden.
Washington signed Haman Aktell, 26, to an entry-level contract out of the Swedish Hockey League’s Växjö Lakers in the 2023 offseason. The 6’4″ lefty was previously a fourth-round pick by the Predators in 2016 but never signed with the club, letting his signing rights lapse in 2020. He put himself on NHL teams’ radars with a breakout 27-assist, 36-point campaign in 51 games for Växjö in 2022-23, tying for second on the team in scoring en route to an SHL championship.
While a well-rounded player in Europe, his lanky 198-lb frame put him at a bit of a disadvantage in North America. He didn’t quite pop as the Capitals hoped in the AHL, posting just 11 points (2 G, 9 A) in 55 games for Hershey last year. But a rash of injuries to their NHL defense corps meant he was called upon to make his NHL debut early in the season, skating in six contests in October and November. He recorded an assist and a minus-two rating, recording five shots and 11 hits while averaging a minimal 10:38 per game. His possession numbers were promising – a 52.5 CF% and a +0.6 expected rating at even strength – but was never added back to the roster aside from a late-season emergency summons.
A restricted free agent last summer, the Capitals opted to keep Haman Aktell around on a two-way contract. He cleared waivers to begin the season and returned to Hershey, where he’s yet to score through 27 games and has seen a diminished role. He did have nine assists and a plus-three rating, but with a lack of NHL opportunity ahead of him, there understandably wasn’t any mutual interest in extending their relationship.
Ending Haman Aktell’s contract now allows him more time to pursue options overseas, potentially finishing the 2024-25 season with a European club. It doesn’t have any cap impact for Washington since he was a league-minimum player in the minors, but it does save a small amount of prorated actual cash. He was earning a $350K salary while in the AHL.
The Caps will have three open contract slots after he clears waivers tomorrow.
Capitals Working On Extension With Charlie Lindgren
After getting a six-year, $35.1MM contract done with pending UFA netminder Logan Thompson on Monday, the Capitals are looking to keep the other half of their goaltending tandem from reaching the open market. Washington is working on an extension with Charlie Lindgren with a cap hit between $3.5MM and $4MM, Kevin Weekes of ESPN said Thursday night.
If past reports indicate, we’ll likely see the official word on a Lindgren extension within the next week. Things moved quickly after Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reported last Friday that the Caps were increasing their efforts to reach a deal with Thompson. LeBrun said earlier in the month that the Capitals were wary of disrupting team chemistry by leaving one without an extension for too long, so it’s not surprising that Washington general manager Chris Patrick is quickly looking to get business wrapped up with Lindgren.
Lindgren is now set to earn more in a single season on his next deal than the total value of any of his previous NHL contracts, putting him in the same company as Thompson. Both began their professional careers as undrafted free-agent signings, but it took much longer for Lindgren to establish himself as an everyday NHL option. Now 31, Lindgren was a standout netminder at St. Cloud State University over a three-year run from 2013 to 2016 and landed an entry-level contract with the Canadiens as his junior year ended.
The Minnesota native made his NHL debut for the Habs to close out the year before spending most of the next five seasons as their No. 3 option, logging significant time in the AHL for their affiliates in St. John’s and Laval. His numbers started strong – he put up a .914 SV% in 48 games in his first AHL season and earned an All-Star Game appearance as a rookie. Things quickly went downhill from there, though. Lindgren failed to record a save percentage above .900 in each of the subsequent four campaigns, at least at the minor-league level. He’d gotten call-ups to Montreal every year and had a decent but unimpressive for the time .907 SV% and 3.00 GAA in 24 starts, paired with a 10-12-2 record over parts of five seasons.
Lindgren spent most of the shortened 2020-21 campaign on the Canadiens’ taxi squad, only making three AHL appearances for Laval. But after failing to land an everyday NHL role over the life of a three-year, $2.25MM extension he signed in 2018, he understandably opted not to return to Montreal upon reaching unrestricted free agency that summer. He headed west on his next deal, landing a two-way offer from the Blues on the open market.
St. Louis breathed new life into Lindgren’s game. It was more the organization at large – he spent most of his time on assignment to their AHL affiliate in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he exploded as one of the league’s top netminders with a 2.21 GAA, .925 SV%, three shutouts, and a 24-7-1 record in 34 games. He was also lights out in his few call-ups to the Blues, allowing just five goals on 118 shots (.958 SV%) in four starts and one relief appearance while compiling a spotless 5-0-0 record.
That led to renewed optimism that Lindgren could be an everyday NHL option, and the Capitals gave him a three-year, $3.3MM commitment to prove it in Washington. His first year was unimpressive, posting a .899 SV% and 3.05 GAA in 31 appearances as Darcy Kuemper’s backup as the Caps missed the playoffs for the second time since 2007. However, the 2023-24 season amounted to Lindgren’s big break. He stole the starter’s crease from Kuemper midseason, tying for the league lead with six shutouts and complementing that with a .911 SV% and 2.67 GAA in 48 games. He finished eighth in Vezina Trophy voting and 12th in Hart Trophy voting as Washington snuck into the playoffs. Although they were quickly dispatched in four games by the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers, he started all of them over Kuemper, who had won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche two years prior.
While Lindgren won’t be in Vezina consideration this season after firmly slipping behind Thompson on the depth chart, he’s still been an above-average tandem option. His .904 SV% and 2.51 GAA through 23 games are the exact numbers you’d expect from the median netminder given the defense in front of him, per MoneyPuck. Last season’s numbers were more than likely a flash in the pan. Still, he’s given the Capitals enough sample to prove he can be a reliable 1B option with Thompson, who’s quietly put up numbers akin to some of the league’s most highly-touted netminders over the last three seasons.
The Caps will have their goalies locked in for the next few seasons at a combined cap hit in the $9MM range, less than what elite established starters are beginning to earn on their own per season. That’s good business from Patrick as he now turns his attention toward the team’s extensive slate of other pending UFAs, including defenseman Jakob Chychrun and reliable depth center Nic Dowd.