The Capitals are way over the salary cap, but here's why that's OK

The Washington Capitals spent big in the trade market and free agency to re-bolster the lineup ahead of the 2024-25 NHL season.

After acquiring four players in trades and signing three new additions, Washington sat $14.2M above the salary cap.

That overage shrunk by $3.9M when the Carolina Hurricanes mutually parted ways Wednesday with center Evgeny Kuznetsov , who was traded there from Washington in March.

Despite still being roughly $10M over the salary cap, Washington's offseason spending spree is not cause for alarm.

Long-time center Niklas Backstrom is expected to return to long-term injured reserve (LTIR) due to a nagging hip injury. Therefore, Washington will find roughly $9.2M in savings, lowering its overage to just $1.1 million.

A similar LTIR move for fan favorite T.J. Oshie is pending but still likely to happen due to the 37-year-old's lingering back issues.

The sad but necessary move would take Washington under the salary cap and provide some flexibility entering the season.

But in the event Oshie is healthy enough to play at season's start, Washington could part ways with defenseman Ethan Bear, who is currently enrolled in the league's Player Assistance Program .

Bear carries a $2M cap hit which would still get Washington under the salary limit but offers little room for adding another quality player to the roster.

So the numbers currently say one thing, but when the financial dust settles, Washington will be salary-cap compliant, and perhaps new general manager Chris Patrick will follow up now president of hockey operations Brian MacLellan's busy off-season with some preseason maneuvers of his own.