This Summer, Patience Should Be The Name Of The Game For The Capitals

The Washington Capitals have quite a few areas of their roster to address as they transition to a younger group, with the offense being the biggest question to answer this offseason.

At the end of the day, though, patience should be the name of the game for general manager Brian MacLellan and the Capitals.

First off, Washington expects to have cap flexibility to work with this summer, especially if T.J. Oshie chooses not to return to the mix amid chronic back issues.

While D.C. isn't headed toward a full-blown rebuild with Alex Ovechkin entering the twilight of his career, making a bit of a splash and investing in some help wouldn't be a bad thing as the core ages out and prospects start to take over the roster.

Related: Ovechkin Teaming Up With Panarin, Sergachev For All-Star Game Between NHL & KHL Players

Since the end of the 2023-24 regular season, where the Capitals managed to barely sneak into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, several names have emerged on the trade market since the end of the regular season, including Martin Necas, Mitch Marner, Nikolaj Ehlers, Patrik Laine and more.

Free agency is also likely to present some interesting options, including the likes of Sam Reinhart, Jake Guentzel and more.

The cycle will continue over the course of the coming weeks, and D.C. should be on standby and waiting to consider all of it.

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MacLellan said he would explore all avenues, and considering how many different names are coming into the mix as the draft and free agency approaches, he should take his time to consider everything.

Though flexibility and making a splash are desirable for teams looking to bolster their rosters, going all in on one name and not hearing everything out first could lead to premature decision-making, which would put Washington in a difficult spot as it looks to secure depth on multiple levels.'

Not only does the offense need help, but head coach Spencer Carbery also cited the need for more size on the blue line. Not only that, but Darcy Kuemper could potentially be a name to watch when it comes to a potential move, as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman mentioned that D.C. could try to move him this summer.

Related: Report: Capitals Could Try To Move Darcy Kuemper In Offseason

That being said, MacLellan should play the NHL Draft strategically, using it to hear out as many options as possible before pulling the trigger on a decision.