As the NHL's March 3rd trade deadline approaches, teams will have to weigh tough choices to improve their teams. The Washington Capitals' season didn't start out the way they'd hoped. Given their injuries to key forwards
Nicklas Backstrom,
Tom Wilson and
T.J. Oshie, it isn't all too surprising though.
The Caps currently hold the first wild card playoff spot, but GM Brian MacLellan likely realizes he will need to bolster his lineup to make a Stanley Cup run. But with zero dollars in salary cap space it's going to be difficult.
Two forwards are reportedly on the block for Washington. The first is fairly obvious, as he's been healthy scratch more often than not of late:
Anthony Mantha. After being traded from Detroit, the fit hasn't entirely worked out, which is a bit surprising.
The second is center
Lars Eller. According to
The Athletic's writing staff, MacLellan is open to moving Eller for a defenseman if the fit is right.
With
John Carlson on the shelf for the rest of the regular season, the Capitals' depth on the backend has proven insufficient. Guys like Dmitri Orlov and
Erik Gustafsson have done well, but the bottom-four don't always get the job done.
Eller's $3.5 million cap-hit and Mantha's $5.7 million would afford Washington plenty of breathing room to add more than one piece. But taking on cap can prove to be a pricey endeavor...
