The buyout deadline is leading to multiple names becoming free agents. Who may be worth a look for the Capitals, and who doesn't fit?
The Washington Capitals and the rest of the league are making their preparations for NHL Free Agency, which kicks off on July 1 at 12 p.m. ET. With the buyout window closing at 5 p.m. on Friday, several teams are getting their buyouts out of the way, and there are quite a few names to look out for.
Blake Wheeler headlines that group, as the right winger is being bought out by the Winnipeg Jets following a lengthy tenure as one of the club's original members and former Atlanta Thrashers.
Are any of the names emerging on the market of interest to the Capitals? We go through the buyout names and see who is and isn't a potential fit.
Blake Wheeler, RW, Winnipeg Jets
There's no denying Blake Wheeler's skill set. The 38-year-old has put up impressive production over the course of his career and is coming off another 50-plus point season, as he had 16 goals and 39 assists for 55 points in 72 games. He has shown he can still make an impact as a top-6 contributor, and that'll help teams in need of secondary scoring.
However, that shouldn't include Washington. Wheeler is turning 38, and the Capitals are aiming to get younger. Though Wheeler could provide a veteran presence, it's not one that the team needs right now; Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie and John Carlson still make up that impressive leadership group.
The Athletic's Murat Ates also cited an "often abrasive approach to interactions," including ones with his teammates, as well as "frequent scapegoating of the team's youth for the Jets' failure to take the next step." That being said, it's not worth the Capitals rolling the dice on.
And, to close it out, Wheeler is still getting paid despite the buyout. He can produce and put up numbers, and his next deal won't be cheap, though it could be discounted. All in all, it's not the right fit.
Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Detroit Red Wings/Edmonton Oilers
Yamamoto is an interesting name. He went in the first round in 2017 and was projected to be a strong secondary scorer, though that never really came to fruition with the Oilers.
There have been a number of injuries and vestibular issues for Yamamoto, which left him on the long-term injured reserve for a bit this season. He followed up a breakout 20-goal campaign in 2021-22 with just 10 goals and 15 assists in 58 outings this season.
Still, Yamamoto could be worth a look, and his struggles could lead to a discount worth a look for D.C. He's still only 24 and has by no means hit his ceiling, and with the team looking to get younger, taking a chance on Yamamoto could be worth it.
He has shown that he can play with speed and get to the right areas, and if the price isn't too high, the reward arguably outweighs the risk. The 5-8 forward lacks size, but he still plays a gritty game, battles hard at both ends of the ice and has good playmaking skills and a solid shot.
New head coach Spencer Carbery has also worked wonders with prospects and up-and-comers, and he could do a lot to get Yamamoto back on track.
Matt Duchene, W/C, Nashville Predators
Duchene was a somewhat surprising name that ended up on waivers on Friday. Just a season ago, Duchene dazzled with 43 goals and 43 assists for 86 points in 78 games. He followed that up with 22 goals and 34 assists this past season for 56 points in 71 games in 2022-23.
The forward has years of experience playing the role of a contributor and speedy top-6 player who can play center or wing, win draws and score.
Like Wheeler, though, Duchene is aging, and though the buyout could lead to a discount, Washington needs to get younger. And with Evgeny Kuznetsov still in the mix and Nicklas Backstrom returning -- at least for training camp -- Duchene may not be worth the pickup right now.