NHL Rumor Mill – March 11, 2023
Check out the latest on the Capitals and Sharks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WASHINGTON HOCKEY NOW: Sammi Silber recently cited Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan telling a local radio show that one of his off-season goals will be to bring in a top-six winger.
Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan (NHL.com).
Silber noted that Alex Ovechkin is the only Capital to reach the 20-goal plateau with a team-leading 36. T.J. Oshie is second with 16 goals. MacLellan intends to use some of the draft picks acquired before the trade deadline to potentially make some moves in the offseason. Free agency could also provide some options.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap Friendly indicates the Capitals have over $10 million in projected cap space for 2023-24 with 15 roster players under contract. All of their core players are under contract but adding a top-six winger could eat up a big chunk of that cap space. MacLellan could include a salaried player in a trade packaged with a draft pick to bring in that scoring winger.
Silber also reported that Conor Sheary was relieved that he wasn’t moved at last Friday’s trade deadline. An unrestricted free agent on July 1, Sheary hopes to re-sign with the Capitals but said there hasn’t been much progress on a deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sheary is completing a two-year deal with an AAV of $1.5 million. He should be an affordable re-signing but that could depend on how much cap space the Capitals have if they find that aforementioned top-six winger.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently indicated that an unnamed team made a “real, legit offer” for Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro. Despite struggling at times this season, the 24-year-old remains a talented and competitive blueliner. Sharks GM Mike Grier is said to have set a high asking price for Ferraro.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferraro is also in the first season of a four-year contract with a cost-effective $3.25 million AAV. He would be a valuable trade chip if the Sharks intend to engage in a complete roster rebuild. Then again, Grier could see him as a valuable part of a rebuilding roster.
It would seem that Washington will have to deal out a salaried roster player of some significance if they hope to land a top 6 wingers.
The forwards committed to for next season are: Ovechkin $9.5 mil); Backstrom ($9.2 mil); Carlson $8 mil – currently on LTIR); Kuznetsov $7.8 mil; Oshie $5,750,000; Mantha $5.7 mil 1 more year then UFA; Strome $5 mil kicks in; Wilson $5,166,667 1 more year then UFA; Dowd $1.3 mil; Aubé-Kubel $1,225,000 kicks in for 1 year – then UFA; Protas $789,167; Milano $1.9 mil
Only 2 D are committed to for next season – Jensen $4050,000 kicks in, and Sandin $1.4 mil, plus 2 goalies – Kuemper $5,250,000 anf Lindgren $1.2 mil
They have 3 RFA forwards needing new deals: Alexeyev $863,333; Fehesvary $791,667; and Carlsson $750,000 – when done that expiring cumulative cap hit of $2,405,000 will be at least around $3.3 mil, which brings their reserve down to around $7 mil.
UFA d-men include Trevor Van Riemsdyck – expiring $950,000 and Irwin $750,000 – if not re-upped they still need to flesh out the D corps.
They also have 4 UFA forwards – Craig Smith – expiring $3.1 mil; Sheary – $1.5 mil; Connor Brown – $3.6; and Hagelin $2,750,000.
Carlson is a D.
Makes that 3
Forgot about Connor Brown . Didn’t have much of a season. Actually no season. TVR would should be reasonable. I don’t think the Caps should spend up front . Move on from Mantha . Keep your picks as you are old.Way too old.
Will be interesting to see what happens with Connor Brown. I liked his 3-year effort in Ottawa – solid 3rd/4th line RW, good on the pk.
A torn ACL just 4 games into the season was a bad break, but according to this article his recovery seems to be going well
https://www.washingtonhockeynow.com/2023/01/14/washington-capitals-connor-brown-injury-update-recovery
He only turns 30 in January – Washington could re-sign him, but if they do that would also cut deeply into the cap reserve, further inhibiting getting a top 6 winger.
I wonder if the Senators would be interested.
The Oilers were intrested in RW Connor Brown…
when he signed with the caps last year….🤔
But the Oilers did not have much cap space…
they need 1 or 2 of RW for the 2nd & 3rd line
I can see them looking at him again … It could be a 1 year again, and A show me contract for Brown as he was out all year on LTIR……❓🤔