The Washington Capitals, a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference last season, find themselves in a bit of a bind this year. With a record of 29-23-7, they're sitting fifth in the Metropolitan Division, just four points shy of a playoff spot. The clock is ticking for the Caps' front office to decide their path forward, and a trade could be on the horizon.
The NHL's Olympic trade freeze has lifted, opening the door for teams to finalize deals before the March 6 deadline. With only four games left before the cutoff, the Capitals have some big decisions to make.
General Manager Chris Patrick has been candid about his vision for the team. He’s looking for moves that bolster their playoff chances now while also setting them up for the future.
“I hope we can do something that helps us in the short term for this team getting into the playoffs again, for Alex to have another run in the playoffs, and also helps long term for whenever it is he’s not on the team,” Patrick stated. His strategy often involves acquiring players who might initially seem like rentals, but end up being long-term assets.
The Capitals have some enticing assets, but they need to tread carefully to avoid sacrificing their future. They showed interest in Artemi Panarin but hesitated to part with young talent like Ryan Leonard, a 21-year-old already making waves in the NHL.
Cole Hutson is another prospect the Caps are keen to keep. “I really like Cole Hutson and, for me, I want to see what he can do in a Washington Capitals sweater,” Patrick emphasized. Other young talents like Ilya Protas, Justin Sourdif, and Ivan Miroshnichenko might attract interest, but the Capitals are wary of jeopardizing their long-term prospects.
Offensively, the Capitals are middling at 14th in scoring and struggling on the power play, ranked 26th. To improve, they might have to part with a solid player.
Enter Hendrix Lapierre. Drafted 22nd overall in 2020, Lapierre has shown potential but hasn't secured a consistent role.
This season, he’s played 56 of 59 games but averages just 8:27 of ice time. At 24, he remains a promising talent who could thrive elsewhere.
The Philadelphia Flyers might be a landing spot for Lapierre, offering him a chance to develop within their young core. While Bobby Brink could be a potential return, a bigger move involving Matvei Michkov might be more appealing if the Flyers are willing.
Alternatively, the Nashville Predators could be interested, with Ryan O'Reilly as a potential trade target. O'Reilly’s physical, two-way style fits the Capitals' needs and could bolster their middle-six lineup.
Lastly, the Calgary Flames are in selling mode and could part with Nazem Kadri. While Kadri offers a different skill set than O'Reilly, his playmaking ability and experience could be invaluable for a Capitals playoff push.
Wherever Lapierre ends up, he's likely to be part of a larger trade package. For the Capitals, moving him could be a strategic step toward strengthening their roster for what might be Alex Ovechkin's final Stanley Cup chase.