At #29 Kuzy I don’t think is going anywhere, not with a $7.8 mill left on his contract.
https://theathletic.com/5314035/2024/03/04/nhl-trade-deadline-board-markstrom-guentzel-vatrano/
https://theathletic.com/live-blogs/nhl-trade-deadline-rumors-updates/y2EN2KjLdqYI/XO7kUr4hiVG9/
by imsc21
6 Comments
Everyone was freaking out at me for saying he has no value and his contract makes him unmovable. It said a lot they were willing to put him on waivers instead of trying to trade . I think maybe a bottom barrel team could have picked him up as an asset flip for next year, but as we see now, that wasn’t gonna happen
Can someone with a subscription just post the list
**#13 – Max Pacioretty** “He’s been reasonably productive since returning from a second surgery to repair a torn Achilles, putting up 15 points in 25 games for the Caps.
Part of the attraction with Pacioretty is the fact that he comes with a pro-rated cap hit of just $2 million because Washington will be on the hook for all of his game-played bonuses.
A high-end scoring winger with a heavy shot in his prime, he’s more of a secondary scoring option at this stage of his career. He has full control of where he ends up with a no-movement clause.
**#15 Nic Dowd** “A fourth-line center who makes a strong defensive impact, Dowd is far from the biggest name available at this deadline period. But he’s a strong candidate to become a useful under-the-radar acquisition.
The Capitals absolutely bury Dowd with defensive zone starts at five-on-five, and they still manage to more than hold their own when he’s on the ice. He’s a trusted penalty killer and is decent in the faceoff circle. He’s even got good hands when he finds himself with a scoring opportunity.
Dowd also carries a $1.3 million cap charge that can easily be squeezed under the salary cap ceiling.”
**#23 Joel Edmundson** “A big shutdown defenseman with Stanley Cup pedigree, Edmundson is ideally slotted on a third pairing. He’s made a living out of clearing opponents from the front of his net and making them pay a physical price while doing so. His game is simple, straightforward and valued when the games tighten up in the playoffs.
As a pending unrestricted free agent carrying just a $1.75 million cap hit, he’s an attractive rental option.
**#25 Anthony Mantha** “The fit has never been quite right in Washington for Mantha, who acknowledged during training camp, “I feel like I haven’t been the player they wanted so far.”
At least the big winger has rediscovered a scoring touch, with 20 goals this season — his highest total in six years.
Even though Mantha has been available on the trade market since last year, his contract should become easier to move as he gets closer to unrestricted free agency this summer.
Mantha is a one-shot scorer who needs a lot of help getting the puck in shooting areas. Motivation shouldn’t be an issue with the direction his career has gone since being traded to the Capitals from Detroit in 2021.”
**#29 Evgeny Kuznetsov** “Now on the way to the AHL for the first time in his career after clearing waivers Sunday, any trade involving Kuznetsov will have a significant financial component. The 31-year-old center carries a $7.8 million cap hit through the end of next season and saw his play fall off considerably before leaving the Capitals in early February to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program.
However, he’s hoping for a fresh start and a chance to re-establish himself. Kuznetsov is just two years removed from a 78-point season. He was an elite playmaker in his prime. It wouldn’t be surprising to see someone take a chance on his skillset.”
Odds are GMBM will do right by Kuzy and move him while retaining most of his pay. In exchange, the Caps receive some kind of future consideration such as a contingent draft pick based on Kuzy’s performance.
I read that the Caps can eat up to half his salary in a trade ( no idea how accurate that statement is and hoping someone here knows more about the salary rules and can validate or correct that statement.) In my mind, Kuzy is an all time Caps great and should get highly favorable treatment from Teddy (especially given some of the PR problems he has with the fan base.) The right thing to do is eat as much of his salary as practicable so Kuzy can continue his NHL career. And when he ultimately retires, sign him to a one day contract and let him retire a Cap. I’m as disappointed as many others are in how he has not panned out as we all knew he could’ve but WE OWE HIM! A half price Kuzy gets much more interest from a playoff bound team and might be just what he needs to increase his interest in being more than a highly skilled novelty act.
As a Leafs I fan I would friggin LOVE to land Dowd. Perfect playoff-run acquisition.