Should The Capitals Really Make A Splash This Summer?

The Washington Capitals have some big questions to answer this offseason, as well as some major needs to address.

General manager Brian MacLellan has been retooling on the fly over the last few seasons, parting ways with the likes of Evgeny Kuznetsov and others while bringing in Rasmus Sandin and also turning to prospects in the system to get younger.

Still, there's a glaring need for some more star power, as Washington is seeing its longtime core enter the twilight of their careers. D.C. also needs to address its lack of offense, while head coach Spencer Carbery also stressed the need for more size on the blue line.

Related: As Capitals Seek To Boost Offense, Defense Still Remains A Concern; How Can Washington Bolster The Blue Line?

That said, is this the time for the Capitals to make a splash?

Let's break it down.

First off, Washington is in a good spot when it comes to flexibility this summer. With Nicklas Backstrom remaining on long-term injured reserve, only salary retained on Kuznetsov, Anthony Mantha and Joel Edmundson and T.J. Oshie potentially not returning, there will be cap space to work with for the Capitals.

There's also plenty of draft capital, with Washington owning a number of draft picks, including three third-round picks this year and three second-rounders in 2025.

Related: With Draft Capital & Cap Flexibility, Capitals Have Potential To Take Advantage Of Interesting Offseason

MacLellan said he plans to explore the trade market and free agency for options, and looking at names that are available, there are quite a few names to choose from.

Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers are among the names rumored to be on the block fit fits the bill for what D.C. is looking for, though each has just one year left on their contract and would cost a bit to bring in.

In free agency, Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel and more names are expected to headline the market come July 1, and the Capitals could take advantage of the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes' cap crunch to potentially bring some division rivals over to the District. Martin Necas, a restricted free agent, is also a potential name to watch.

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Considering the market, names available and the timing for Washington, a now younger team that fought tooth and nail to make it back to the playoffs and showed promise and upside, making a splash this summer is the right call.

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