**From Bailey Johnson:** The Washington Capitals are walking along a tightrope.
On paper, they’re still in playoff contention, just six points out of third place in the Metropolitan division with two games in hand on — and two remaining matchups against — the Philadelphia Flyers, who currently hold that spot. But with the trade deadline looming next Friday, decision time for Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan is just around the corner.
This time around, the Capitals are doing just enough to keep themselves in the mix, but they can ill afford any further missteps like [Tuesday’s 8-3 drubbing](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/02/27/capitals-red-wings-back-to-back/?itid=lk_inline_manual_8) in Detroit. They host the Flyers on Friday in a game that could determine which way the trade winds blow next week, and they know just how important that game will be.
“You want to put the upper management in a position where we’re right there,” center Dylan Strome said. “I think we’ve done a decent job the last 10 games of battling back and putting ourselves at least within striking distance. Especially [Friday], we’re six points back of Philly, right? And we have two games against them and two games in hand. You look at it that way, we’ve got to take care of business tomorrow.
“We’ve got a couple games before the deadline. Pretty sure if we go 3-0 in these next three games, it’s going to make the decisions a little tougher.”
Washington was off on Wednesday and returned to practice Thursday. After a loss like Tuesday’s, the expectation was that the Capitals would turn in a focused, high-energy practice as they look to get back on track against Philadelphia. That isn’t what Coach Spencer Carbery received.
Toward the end of practice, with one drill left to complete, Carbery gathered his group along the boards and lit into them. He declined to discuss his message in detail, saying only that he was “frustrated with some of the things that I saw,” but it was evident that he was deeply displeased with his team’s effort.
We’re not a cup contender and probably won’t make the playoffs, the caps should sell.
Own-Being-1973
Even if they make the playoffs I can’t see getting through the first round.
ClemsonJeeper
We will know tomorrow night around 10pm.
saltyfingas
We won’t be buyers that’s for sure
Sharkshoemtn
Should be sellers know matter what honestly
UnderCoverDoughnuts
I don’t see a point in pushing for the playoffs; at best we push game six in round one, maybe? We aren’t going deep. Selling seems like the most logical thing to do right now. We’ll have a lot of cap space to play with this summer and a lot of our prospects seem to be ready to NHL roles. I’m willing to roll with the punches this season to enhance our chances down the road.
gs12
I think their strategy will be to trade if they can get younger/prospect talent or equal value for whoever is going out.
DecantingDisney
They really should be, but I can’t let that happen in my heart!
ZapSzn996
The next 3 games will decide if Caps sell or buy, I’m hoping they can make a run.
_SCHULTZY_
The more injured Washington is the better they play. Sell these veterans over 30 and keep bringing in the young guys who actually want to skate hard every shift.
There’s some guys that need roster spots for next year’s team, so you might as well trade some of the older veterans now and get something in return while opening up a spot for the kids.
12 Comments
**From Bailey Johnson:** The Washington Capitals are walking along a tightrope.
On paper, they’re still in playoff contention, just six points out of third place in the Metropolitan division with two games in hand on — and two remaining matchups against — the Philadelphia Flyers, who currently hold that spot. But with the trade deadline looming next Friday, decision time for Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan is just around the corner.
Life on the knife’s edge is unfamiliar territory for the Capitals, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014 last season. But even last year wasn’t quite like this, with their hopes still hanging in the balance as the deadline crept closer and closer. Last season, amid a five-game losing streak in mid-February, MacLellan pulled the plug swiftly, [trading Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/02/23/capitals-trade-orlov-hathaway/?itid=lk_inline_manual_5) on Feb. 23 — eight days before the trade deadline — and sending a clear message that Washington was [out of contention](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/02/19/capitals-four-game-losing-streak/?itid=lk_inline_manual_5).
This time around, the Capitals are doing just enough to keep themselves in the mix, but they can ill afford any further missteps like [Tuesday’s 8-3 drubbing](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/02/27/capitals-red-wings-back-to-back/?itid=lk_inline_manual_8) in Detroit. They host the Flyers on Friday in a game that could determine which way the trade winds blow next week, and they know just how important that game will be.
“You want to put the upper management in a position where we’re right there,” center Dylan Strome said. “I think we’ve done a decent job the last 10 games of battling back and putting ourselves at least within striking distance. Especially [Friday], we’re six points back of Philly, right? And we have two games against them and two games in hand. You look at it that way, we’ve got to take care of business tomorrow.
“We’ve got a couple games before the deadline. Pretty sure if we go 3-0 in these next three games, it’s going to make the decisions a little tougher.”
Washington was off on Wednesday and returned to practice Thursday. After a loss like Tuesday’s, the expectation was that the Capitals would turn in a focused, high-energy practice as they look to get back on track against Philadelphia. That isn’t what Coach Spencer Carbery received.
Toward the end of practice, with one drill left to complete, Carbery gathered his group along the boards and lit into them. He declined to discuss his message in detail, saying only that he was “frustrated with some of the things that I saw,” but it was evident that he was deeply displeased with his team’s effort.
**Read more:** [**https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/02/29/caps-sellers-nhl-trade-deadline/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/02/29/caps-sellers-nhl-trade-deadline/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com)
We could sell and still make the playoffs.
Buying would be a huge mistake.
We’re not a cup contender and probably won’t make the playoffs, the caps should sell.
Even if they make the playoffs I can’t see getting through the first round.
We will know tomorrow night around 10pm.
We won’t be buyers that’s for sure
Should be sellers know matter what honestly
I don’t see a point in pushing for the playoffs; at best we push game six in round one, maybe? We aren’t going deep. Selling seems like the most logical thing to do right now. We’ll have a lot of cap space to play with this summer and a lot of our prospects seem to be ready to NHL roles. I’m willing to roll with the punches this season to enhance our chances down the road.
I think their strategy will be to trade if they can get younger/prospect talent or equal value for whoever is going out.
They really should be, but I can’t let that happen in my heart!
The next 3 games will decide if Caps sell or buy, I’m hoping they can make a run.
The more injured Washington is the better they play. Sell these veterans over 30 and keep bringing in the young guys who actually want to skate hard every shift.
There’s some guys that need roster spots for next year’s team, so you might as well trade some of the older veterans now and get something in return while opening up a spot for the kids.