The Penguins made quite the statement by acquiring Erik Karlsson with just over a month to go before training camp. What does it mean for the Capitals?
The Washington Capitals saw one of their biggest rivals make a significant upgrade, as the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson in a blockbuster deal with the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens on Sunday.
Pittsburgh's late summer blockbuster is one that makes a bold statement: the Penguins are swinging for the fences and going big for one last chance with their Stanley Cup window closing and their core aging.
That being said, does that deal and mentality put pressure on the Capitals when it comes to their next move?
Washington is in a similar boat, with Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie entering the twilights of their careers and the team heading toward a rebuild. Neither team qualified for the playoffs last year, and neither has made it past the first round in the last five seasons.
The Capitals have some big moves to consider and decisions to make heading into the coming season, and those revolve around the futures of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha.
Kuznetsov reportedly requested a trade -- but has repeatedly denied that rumor -- and is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career that resulted in frustration and disappointment from the front office. The same can be said for Mantha, who has failed to live up to the expectations set for him when he arrived at the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline in exchange for Jakub Vrana. However, he has a desire to come back and prove himself.
Washington was reportedly active around the draft in trying to make a splash on the trade market, and both were said to have been shopped. However, there wasn't much interest, and in turn, the Capitals left the draft without making a blockbuster move.
Instead, the team took care of its pending free agents, then signed Max Pacioretty to a one-year "prove it" deal and acquired defenseman Joel Edmundson to add more depth. Then, on Thursday, Washington locked down Tom Wilson with a seven-year extension that all but guarantees he'll remain with the franchise through the end of his career and lead them through the inevitable rebuild.
With a month to go until the start of training camp, there is minimal time to get things done, but the Karlsson trade is a reminder that big moves are still on the table and that the market is not closed down for business. It's also a bold move that the Penguins made in order to assert that they're still looking to be a top contender, with the Sidney Crosby era nearing its close.
That being said, seeing a big move happen shouldn't pressure the Capitals into making a move just to make a move. When it comes to what's in store for the organization, MacLellan has a clear vision.
The plan appears to be to inject youth into the lineup and rely on the players it already has in the system to get the team back to its playoff form. New head coach Spencer Carbery is also expected to lead this initiative while also resurrecting the struggling power play and helping the prospects take the next step.
Not only that, but Washington should also wait for the right move to present itself. There aren't big names on the market right now when it comes to top-6 forwards, and Kuznetsov and Mantha's values aren't exactly the highest right now. So, at this point, seeing if Carbery can resurrect Kuznetsov and Mantha is a better move than simply shipping out both to make a move.
In the end, the Karlsson move is one that makes the rival Penguins a bigger threat, as he'll bolster the power play and add even more firepower to complement the team's talent up front. It's one that should have the Capitals' attention, but it shouldn't put any more weight on their shoulders.