Could Capitals, Jets Be Perfect Trade Partners?

Both teams are looking to make changes after disappointing ends to their seasons. Could they help each other out?

The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets both find themselves standing at a crossroads.

Each team experienced disappointment in different forms this season, with Washington missing out on the playoffs for the first time in nine years while Winnipeg dropped four straight decisions in the first round against the Vegas Golden Knights en route to a disappointing elimination and harsh critiques for the players.

With both the Capitals and Jets failing to reach expectations, both are likely headed down a path for change. And, having that in common, the two sides could be good trade partners.

Washington has a couple of trade candidates for changes in scenery. The biggest is Evgeny Kuznetsov, who general manager Brian MacLellan was disappointed with after he failed to maintain the level of play that made him an All-Star in 2021-22. Kuznetsov couldn't find consistency and struggled to be at the top of his game for one reason or another.

Not only have two of the last three years been lackluster for the 30-year-old, but reports also broke out that he requested a trade, though he declined to comment and said he had no idea where those reports came from. Kuznetsov, who has two years left on his contract with a cap hit of $7.8 million, also switched agents and it appears now that he and the organization are on the road to a trade. He does have a 10-team do not trade list, though.

READ MORE ON THE HOCKEY NEWS: Kuznetsov Won't Comment On Future With Capitals, Management Disappointed With Season

Then, there's Anthony Mantha, who was looking forward to impressing in a fully healthy 2022-23 but underperformed and failed to convert on several opportunities. Inconsistency and adversity then led to a series of healthy scratches, which additionally led to a drop in confidence.

The 28-year-old, who has one year at $5.7 million left on his deal, said that he still sees himself as a key piece of the puzzle in D.C. and now has a mental coach that he thinks can help him unlock his full potential. As for the organization, there's uncertainty there and still questions surrounding Mantha and how much higher his ceiling is.

MacLellan said that his hope is to revamp the top-6 this offseason and to add some secondary scoring, and he said he would look at all options. Winnipeg is an interesting team to look at, as general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has a lot to consider with the team needing to make some changes.

The core, led by the likes of Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele, is in question, as is the future of players like Nikolaj Ehlers and Pierre-Luc Dubois.

Scheifele, 30, has one year left on his contract at $6.125 million. He wouldn't comment too much on his future at the team's breakdown day. It's possible that Cheveldayoff could want to use him as a trade chip or keep him in the mix while building up the rest of the team around him and still relying on him as part of the future.

Through 81 games this past season, Scheifele had 42 goals and 26 assists for 68 points, though his play dropped off in the second half. Winnipeg was rumored to have shopped Scheifele in the past, and if both sides want a change of scenery, he is a decent piece for the Capitals to look into. Like Kuznetsov, Scheifele also has a NMC.

Another center to look at is Dubois. The 26-year-old, who had 27 goals and 36 assists this season, is a restricted free agent at the end of this year. Though he reiterated at breakdown day that he hasn't made any decisions while remaining quiet about his future with the team, it doesn't appear that the two parties are on track for a long-term move.

Then, there's an interesting option in Ehlers. Ehlers, 27, has two more years left on his deal at $6 million. He had sports hernia surgery this season and had 12 goals and 26 assists in 45 games, though he's been a 20-goal scorer in six of his eight seasons playing in the NHL. Whether or not the team will shop him remains to be seen, but he's still a solid top-6 winger that fits what MacLellan could be looking for. He also has a no-movement clause.

For Winnipeg, having a change in personnel and establishing a new core could also be beneficial. Washington has Kuznetsov and Mantha to offer but also has a number of budding prospects that could be trade chips.

And then, of course, the players on both side could also benefit from a fresh start and change in scenery.

In the end, both teams will likely look different come the start of next season while also taking the time to make moves and assess the state of the roster. When it comes to the circumstances, though, both sides could benefit each other in one way or another.