Solely six NHL groups acquired an “A” grade from ESPN reporters Ryan Clark and Kristen Shilton of their post-draft team report cards, and the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators have been amongst them.
The 2 groups added a number of key items to their already strong rosters and arguably did extra to assist their possibilities of competing in 2024 than some other groups in free company.
Many of the Capitals notable strikes got here by way of commerce. The staff swapped goaltender Darcy Kuemper with the Los Angeles Kings for top-six heart Pierre Luc-Dubois, traded defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2026 third-round choose to the Ottawa Senators for top-four defenseman Jakob Chychrun and bought goaltender Logan Thompson from the Vegas Golden Knights for a pair of third-round picks.
Washington additionally signed defenseman Matt Roy, one of many high blueliners on the free-agent market.
“The place we as soon as thought maybe the Capitals have been headed for a full-blown rebuild, it is clear now they don’t seem to be losing the ultimate years of Alex Ovechkin’s profession,” Clark and Shilton wrote. “Washington is decided to remain within the playoff image”
The Predators made the largest splash of the free-agency interval, signing forwards Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault plus defenseman Brady Skjei — three of the highest 5 free brokers accessible — plus they signed goaltender Scott Wedgewood to switch Kevin Lankinen as their backup netminder.