Capitals Extend Qualifying Offers To All 6 RFAs

LAS VEGAS — The Washington Capitals have qualified all of their restricted free agents ahead of the June 30 deadline, general manager Brian MacLellan announced on Sunday.

Washington has qualified RFAs Connor McMichael, Riley Sutter, Alex Limoges, Ethen Frank, Hardy Häman Aktell and Mitchell Gibson.

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McMichael is the biggest RFA that the team has to worry about; he had 18 goals and 15 assists for 33 points in 82 games this past season. Given his promotion to the top 6, he could be in for a raise, but the team may also lean toward a bridge deal with him still having to find consistency.

Per general manager Brian MacLellan, the team is in the midst of negotiations with McMichael's camp.

The team also had RFA Beck Malenstyn to address but traded him to the Buffalo Sabres in order to move up in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft on Saturday.

Sutter, Limoges, Frank and Häman Aktell all shined with the AHL's Hershey Bears en route to a second consecutive Calder Cup championship. Häman Aktell also got six games up at the NHL level. There is also hope that these names can compete for NHL ice time next season.

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Gibson, meanwhile, is one of the team's promising netminders in the system and made the pro jump with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays this past year.