17 Things: Capitals' Trade Deadline Plans, Ovechkin's Take On GM MacLellan's Strategy, What's Next For Kuznetsov After Waivers

The Capitals have a busy week ahead of them.

WASHINGTON — Just a week ago, the Washington Capitals' trade deadline plans were somewhat hanging in the balance, with the team's recent hot streak making the playoff race interesting while a lot rested on a pivotal 72 hours of hockey. Now — especially following a disastrous 5-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday — things are clear and there's an idea of how the next week will unfold.

While general manager Brian MacLellan said the team isn't going to completely dump players at the deadline, the focus is on the future now, and Washington's approach will be similar to last year where MacLellan will look to acquire picks and promising pieces for the team down the road while selling off some assets with the playoff odds slimming.

All the while, Evgeny Kuznetsov's future hangs in the balance, as the 31-year-old cleared waivers and has been assigned to the AHL's Hershey Bears for the time being while GMBM evaluates his next move.

That said, here are 17 things to consider going into this week.

1. Let's touch on the big news: Evgeny Kuznetsov. Just hours after being cleared to resume practicing with the Capitals and entering the follow-up care phase of the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Washington placed the Russian on waivers in a surprising decision. He cleared and was assigned to the AHL's Hershey Bears on Sunday.

For MacLellan, it was to set the wheels in motion and help Kuznetsov and his camp work toward a change in scenery, which is the next desired step for him. It appears as if there's no love lost between both sides, as MacLellan called Kuznetsov's situation "frustrating for both sides" given Kuznetsov's inconsistency since the Cup run and some off-ice issues as well.

"It's about a fresh start for Kuzy," MacLellan said.

With Kuznetsov in the minors, Washington will save $1.15 million. Whether or not he reports to Hershey remains to be seen, and the deadline is Friday, so the team has time to try and make a move to accommodate his request for a change in environment.

2. It's no question that Kuznetsov's inconsistency has made him a bit of a frustrating player to watch for the Capitals, but he holds an important place in team history. He scored the goal that exorcised D.C.'s demons when he struck in overtime in Game 6 against the Pittsburgh Penguins to finally push his club past the second round, and he also led the team with 32 points over that memorable run.

The important thing now is that he gets healthy and the help he needs. When it comes to what's next, if MacLellan can't find a trade, it seems the next step would likely be to buy out Kuznetsov and to move on from him. GMBM will cross that bridge when he gets there, and he didn't rule out the possibility of Kuznetsov's taking the ice again in the District. From the sound of things, though, it seems unlikely.

Spencer Carbery also addressed Kuznetsov's situation with the team and said he feels for his player, but hopes the outcome is a positive step for him.

"Just feel for him as a person and hope the outcome of this is just the best for him and his family and his kids and his wife. That's what I'm hopeful for...

"I did [speak with the team about it]. He's someone that's been in the organization a long time and a lot of guys in our room — some of the guys of our room — have been with him for all 11 years. Felt like I owed him that."

3. As Kuznetsov cleared, the Capitals fell 5-2 in an underwhelming, unconvincing loss to the Arizona Coyotes. Washington's players and Carbery didn't hold back after the loss, calling it an emotional letdown after a huge win on Friday while Carbery siad it's the most disappointing game he's coached with the group. The Capitals don't play again until Thursday, and Sunday's defeat is a big hit to the playoff hopes. So, the trade deadline is bound to be interesting, and selling wouldn't be a surprise.

4. In fact, the plan is similar to what it was last season: MacLellan will shift his focus to building for the future. He will be looking to add promising young prospects or picks, and perhaps flipping picks for up-and-coming players (as was the case with Rasmus Sandin last year).

It's not a fun position for GMBM, but it's necessary as he looks to thread the needle between remaining in the mix and getting younger:

"It's difficult to do, but that's the sport we're in. We want to stay competitive, but we also want to incorporate young guys and develop young guys and have one eye on the future of our organization. Then, we have some older guys that are finishing up careers that we remain respectful to."

5. What does Alex Ovechkin think of this approach? It's not his favorite. MacLellan spoke to the captain about it, and Ovechkin made it clear that he wants to win. That said, he understands what the team has to do on the business side, and MacLellan said he will work to make it so that the team can still compete. And with the youth movement, GMBM believes the team is headed in that direction.

"He puts pressure on us, 'I want to win,' which is a good thing, i get it," MacLellan said. "That's why we will try to remain competitive, and I think we are with our younger players. McMichael, Protas, these guys have played well. Lappy's played well. Sandin, Marty, that's the path we hope to continue to pursue."

6. When it comes to which pieces could be on the move, MacLellan said he wouldn't dump players at the deadline but noted that he would hear teams out and make moves if they're good for the team.

That said, all eyes are on Nic Dowd, along with pending unrestricted free agents Anthony Mantha, Joel Edmundson, Max Pacioretty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel, as trade chips. Will MacLellan consider trading other players signed past this year? "I guess I'm always open," he answered.

Dowd has been on the Edmonton Oilers' radar, and several teams could use a top defensive center for a Stanley Cup run. There's no denying Dowd's importance to the Capitals' lineup; he's a huge piece of their core, but if he can fetch a high pick or rising star, it's worth looking into.

Mantha hit the 20-goal mark on Sunday, upping his value going into the deadline. Edmonton reportedly has looked at him, too, but there's a limit to how much the team is willing to pay.

Edmundson has also reportedly received league-wide interest with teams wanting to bolster their blue lines.

7. Max Pacioretty has a full no-movement clause and said on Sunday that he's not thinking about the deadline at all, but I imagine if a contender wants him, he will waive to get another chance at the Stanley Cup. He's starting to heat up again and is 35, and this could be one of his last shots.

8. On the blue line, Nick Jensen's name has come up in trade conversations, and he has been linked dot the Toronto Maple Leafs following injuries to Mark Giordano and new acquisition Ilya Lyubushkin. 

9. Another name that's popped up: Charlie Lindgren. The 30-year-old is said to have "significant value" given his play that's made him the bonafide starter for D.C., but for No. 79, the hope is that he stays put and doesn't move.

For Lindgren, Washington has become a family, and he's a big fan of the organization and doesn't want to play elsewhere at this time. He also hopes that a lot of the group remains intact after Friday.

I personally don't see the Capitals moving Lindgren now; that would mean completely giving up on the season given the amount of games he's stolen this year, and I don't think this team is throwing in the towel completely just yet, even if there's some selling going on.

10. When it comes to the other side of the coin, Washington will not be adding veterans but was linked to an interesting 27-year-old: Noah Hanifin. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman thinks the Capitals were "kicking the tires" on the Calgary Flames defenseman, and he would be an interesting addition if the price is right and if he wants to re-sign in D.C.

11. Another player whose future is to be determined at the deadline: Mike Sgarbossa. The 30-year-old has played over 10 games up with the big club and will need waivers to go back down, and it would be surprising if he clears. MacLellan has liked what he's brought to the table, and the team will decide on his future on deadline day depending on how things go.

12. Speaking of the future, Washington is very excited for Ryan Leonard, but whether or not he goes pro sooner rather than later is in his hands, not the team's. MacLellan and the organization don't want to interrupt his season and will touch base with him at the end of the year as to whether or not he wants to go pro or have another year in the NCAA. The Capitals will accommodate whatever he chooses.

13. Another prospect to be excited about: Zac Funk, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract with D.C. on Friday. Funk is the WHL's leading scorer and has taken juniors by storm this year, and adding him to the mix is a bright spot for the District.

14. Some injury updates: T.J. Oshie has been around the facility, and MacLellan also said he looked good during off-ice workouts this week. The 37-year-old, who is four games away from 1,000 in his NHL career, is expected to play again this season.

15. Things remain status quo with regard to Nicklas Backstrom. The Swede has been around the facility and went on a road trip with the team. There's no update on what's next for him, and no decision has been made regarding whether or not he continues his career.

16. There have been preliminary conversations between the Capitals and pending RFAs in Rasmus Sandin, Beck Malenstyn and Connor McMichael, but "nothing serious," MacLellan said.

17. Washington wants to add a younger piece, but there's little confidence in going out and acquiring a top-tier center, which is something the organization knows it needs for Alex Ovechkin. MacLellan joked about calling about Connor McDavid but added that there's not really a center that fits the team's wants on the market, trade or free agency. That said, the hope is that the internal players step up, just as Hendrix Lapierre has these last handful of games.