The Capitals are still mulling over their approach to the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline on March 8.

The Washington Capitals currently sit six points out of a Wild Card spot with less than two weeks to go until the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, and there are a handful of names to watch as they mull over their approach.

Of course, recent injuries up front, as well as the team's recent turnaround, could lead to some names staying put, but general manager Brian MacLellan could still benefit from flipping some contracts in order to focus on the future as the team prepares for life without Alex Ovechkin while establishing a new core.

That said, here are some names to watch out for as the deadline looms.

Nic Dowd

Nic Dowd is currently day-to-day with an upper-body injury and is on the injured reserve, but he continues to receive "league-wide interest," per ESPN's Emily Kaplan.

Dowd has one year left on his contract at $1.3 million and plays a critical role for the Capitals. He is among the league's top defensive centers and logs heavy minutes on the powerhouse fourth line, and he also kills penalties and is able to provide offense. He leads Washington in plus/minus and defensive zone face-offs, and his coachability and versatility only add to his value.

If he's healthy and the Capitals are still far out of playoff position by March 8, he could fetch a valuable return or high pick with playoff teams or contenders looking for a strong defensive center to bolster their forward depth.

Joel Edmundson

Another name that Kaplan says is generating buzz around the league is Joel Edmundson. He is a veteran presence and leader in the room who provides experience, size and stability on the backend.

Edmundson has been part of numerous playoff runs over his career and plays a shutdown game that can provide some much-needed depth on defense. The 6-foot-5, 221-pound defender has 53 hits and 43 blocks through 40 games this season and can also be a mentor for younger players.

The 30-year-old blueliner is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, too, so he's a good rental option for teams that need more grit and solidity on the blue line. Expect him to get reasonable attention around March 8.

Max Pacioretty

Max Pacioretty is one of the more interesting names out there. He recently returned from a re-torn Achilles that held him out for nearly a year and almost ended his NHL career, but the six-time 30-goal scorer refused to give up and made a triumphant return with the Capitals this season.

Through 21 games, Pacioretty has a goal and 10 assists for 11 points and has given the Capitals a new look on the middle-6 and power play. His offensive touch is coming back, too, and he's back to shooting the puck, making plays and helping ignite pressure on the forecheck.

As Kaplan pointed out, Pacioretty has a full no-movement clause and has full control over whether or not he moves, but he could decide to waive if he can go to a team with a serious chance of going for the Stanley Cup.

Pacioretty also told The Hockey News that he's happy with the Capitals group and that he's not necessarily thinking about the trade deadline much, if at all.

"I've never thought about it. I mean, It's something that's out of our control. Where I'm at in my life and my career, my family, definitely don't think about it at all. I can't speak for others, but I mean, we're all professional here," Pacioretty said. "We want to try and make the playoffs and try and make a push, and we'll see what we're able to do.

"I can't speak for everyone, but we really like this group, especially off the ice. This team really cares for one another. They've had a lot of success together and really close teammates. I think that's been voiced around the league, everybody knows that about this team," Pacioretty said. "So definitely don't want to see people go, but you can't really control that situation. I can't speak for everybody, but for myself, you want to try and make the playoffs for the team and that's our goal.

He is a UFA at the end of this season and also has some value given his ability and history in the league, but at the end of the day, it's up to him where he goes.

Anthony Mantha

Anthony Mantha has gone from a player with little trade value to a hot commodity around the league given his turnaround under head coach Spencer Carbery this season.

The 29-year-old has 18 goals and 11 assists for 29 points through 52 games, and his plus/minus of plus-8 is among the Capitals' leaders in that department. His play has improved two-fold at both ends, and he is on pace for a career-high in goals while being the most productive he's been since joining Washington at the 2021 NHL Trade Deadline.

In turn, his trade value has gone up after it was reportedly minimal last summer, as he's become a clutch scorer who can get things started or score at crucial moments.

Mantha has a cap hit of $5.75 million and is also a UFA at the end of the season, but if the Capitals retain some salary, he could fetch a valuable return, especially if the team is patient and waits to take advantage of the thinning forward market.

The Quebec native did leave Saturday's loss to the Florida Panthers with an injury, so it remains to be seen if it's serious.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel

Another pending UFA, Nicolas Aube-Kubel is a name that could draw some attention. The 27-year-old started the year with the AHL's Hershey Bears after failing to make the team out of training camp, but he worked his way back up to the NHL and solidified himself on the identity fourth line. His flashes of skill and speed have also led to him taking on top-line minutes.

The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun mentioned Aube-Kubel as a name that could be on the move if the Capitals elect to sell, but inconsistency this season may not mean the biggest return for D.C. Still, he's quick, he can play multiple roles and he's shown that he can score big goals at key moments.