With the the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline two days away at 3 PM ET on Friday, NoVa Caps provides a round-up for all of the latest rumors surrounding the Washington Capitals and the trade rumor mill.
The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported on Tuesday that the Washington Capitals are expected to move pending unrestricted free agent center Lars Eller and left-wing Conor Sheary before the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline on Friday.
LOTS activity today. @irfgaffar & I look at some of the top names on our Trade Watch List, presented by @UpperDeckSports. Here’s the latest on #Yotes Jakob Chychrun & Shayne Gostisbehere, #FlyTogether John Klingberg, #ALLCAPS Lars Eller, #Blackhawks Max Domi & LGRW Tyler Bertuzzi pic.twitter.com/Qrx482CWBH
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 28, 2023
TSN’s Darren Dreger said that the Edmonton Oilers and Arizona Coyotes were progressing on trade negotiations regarding defenseman and Washington acquisition target Jakub Chychrun on Monday, which cooled in the late afternoon. Edmonton acquired defenseman Mattias Ekholm from the Nashville Predators on Tuesday, which potentially eliminated one possible suitor for Chychrun. Washington, who has just three defensemen under contract for next season, acquired Rasmus Sandin from the Toronto Maple Leafs but also sent pending unrestricted free agent Erik Gustafsson the other way. Sandin, Nick Jensen, John Carlson are the three that are signed through at least next season. Sandin is the only left-handed man of the three.
Chychrun skated during Arizona’s morning skate prior to their game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Pagnotta said that the race for Chychrun‘s services is getting tighter. Unless Washington or the Los Angeles Kings (who acquired Vladislav Gavrikov from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday morning) still engage, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, and St. Louis Blues remain in the mix for Chychrun. Dreger added that teams are poised, hoping for a price drop on Chychrun. Arizona is currently demanding at least two first-round picks in return. The Buffalo Sabres are staying close. Columbus has some collateral after the trade with Los Angeles and is interested. The Ottawa Senators, who have won three straight games, are always willing to listen. The question remains if Arizona will drop their price.
Pagnotta added later on Wednesday that “Washington has been hot for Chychrun and could take another swing” even after adding Sandin. He added that if Washington parts with a first-round pick in such a deal, it is expected to be top-10 protected. He added that Carolina is willing to part with their first-round pick but questioned whether they would give up another significant asset for Chychrun.
By Harrison Brown