The Washington Capitals are a far cry from the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2018. What roster moves could they make? Washington Capitals players salute the crowd after a Game 4 loss against the New York Rangers, losing their first-round series 4-0. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA2MTA1Mjk2NjMwNzE5ODgz/usatsi_23141017_168400847_lowres.jpg] Washington Capitals players salute the crowd after a Game 4 loss against the New York Rangers, losing their first-round series 4-0. Predicted to miss the playoffs at the start of this season, the Washington Capitals exceeded expectations by qualifying for the 2024 post-season. However, the New York Rangers swept them in the opening round. The Capitals are a far cry from the once-dominant club that won the Stanley Cup in 2018 and the Presidents' Trophy in 2016 and 2017. Veteran stars Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson and T.J. Oshie are nearing the end of their careers. Meanwhile, young players like Connor McMichael, Aliaksei Protas, Rasmus Sandin and Hendrix Lapierre have yet to reach their playing prime. With a projected cap space of $3.257 million and 22 active roster players under contract next season [https://puckpedia.com/team/washington-capitals], per PuckPedia, the Capitals lack the room for expensive roster additions. GM Brian MacLellan could consider shedding some salary for next season. The Hockey News' Sammi Silber cited [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-darcy-kuemper-report-move-on-offseason] Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculating MacLellan could attempt to trade Darcy Kuemper. The 33-year-old goaltender has three seasons left on his contract, with an average annual value of $5.25 million. He lost the starter's job this season to Charlie Lindgren, who has a year remaining on his deal at $1.1 million. ESPN.com's Kristen Shilton wondered [https://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/39936448/nhl-offseason-schedule-keys-draft-picks-trades-free-agency-cap-space] if MacLellan would continue to retool his roster by transitioning toward younger, affordable players or embrace a full-scale rebuild. The Athletic's Shayna Goldman also pondered [https://theathletic.com/5457008/2024/04/29/nhl-playoffs-capitals-alex-ovechkin/] his off-season plans. Shilton believes the Capitals must prioritize building their scoring depth and bolstering their blueline. How they go about doing that remains to be seen. Goldman speculated about MacLellan's choices to address those needs. He could make some tweaks via free agency to give his aging stars one last run at the Stanley Cup. A more sustainable approach could be making trades for younger players. He could stick with the status quo or go for a full roster teardown. Ovechkin will be a key factor in that process. The 38-year-old Capitals captain has two years left on his contract and sits 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record of 894. MacLellan could still transition his roster toward younger talent but also consider adding a playmaking center to help Ovechkin reach Gretzky's record next season. Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
