Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder — Imagn Images
The Washington Capitals remained focused on the task at hand with free agency opening, as they look to improve the forward corps. That said, it was a relatively quiet day for D.C.
As the frenzy started, the Capitals signed an anticipated seven-year extension with defenseman Martin Fehervary, but otherwise, didn’t make any other transactions on Day 1.
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Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Washington remains in the mix for Nikolaj Ehlers and is hoping to “win” him over with their pitch.
“The top remaining player is Nikolaj Ehlers. He’s indicated he’s prepared to take a few days to make an informed decision,” Friedman wrote. “Carolina’s been my pick, since it’s tried to trade for him at least twice before. There will be many pursuers, but I’ve heard Washington wants to make its pitch, hoping to ‘win’ the meeting like prime Don Draper.”
Ehlers is expected to take some time to make his decision as teams pursue his services.
The 29-year-old Dane has eight 20-goal seasons under his belt and had 63 points in 69 games this past season with the Winnipeg Jets, and he would certainly boost the Capitals’ scoring and add some more depth on the power play.
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Washington also said goodbye to a couple of familiar names, as Lars Eller signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Ottawa Senators and Ethan Bear took his talents to the New York Islanders on a one-year, two-way deal.
Anthony Beauvillier and Andrew Mangiapane are still on the market, as is Alex Alexeyev, who did not receive a qualifying offer and became an unrestricted free agent.
The Capitals have $6.950 million left in available cap space, per PuckPedia, and is also focused on injecting more rising prospects into the mix next season, too.