Report: Capitals Remain In Hunt For Scoring Winger, Ehlers 'Makes A Lot Of Sense'
The Capitals want to bolster the top-6 and power play.
The Washington Capitals have some outstanding business to take care of as they enter draft weekend and free agency in the coming days, and at the top of their to-do list is finding another top forward option.
Per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Washington remains in the hunt for a scoring winger, and one possible target is pending free agent Nikolaj Ehlers, who’s set to test the market.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Friedman said of the Capitals potentially inking Ehlers. “Washington’s looking for a scoring winger. It’d be harder for them to do, but he makes a lot of sense there.”
Ehlers is coming off one of his top years with the Winnipeg Jets after putting up 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points in 69 games. It marked his second consecutive 20-goal and 60-point season, and the fourth time in his career he’s put up at least 60 points. He’s had at least 20 goals in all but two seasons, one of which he spent a lot of time injured.
The Dane has a lot of skill and playmaking ability, and he can be a catalyst who can drive play and generate high-danger chances whenever he’s on the ice. The only issue is that he’s struggled to stay healthy over the course of his career.
Still, Ehlers would bring a lot to the table for Washington, a team that needs to bolster its top-6 and also add another X-Factor to the power play. The 29-year-old veteran doesn’t necessarily fit into the team’s goal of getting younger, but he would add a new look to the offense with the Alex Ovechkin era coming to an end.
Washington has $9.3 million in cap space and can certainly make an interesting offer, though the team also needs to be aware of other areas of need rather than putting all its eggs in one basket. D.C. could also look to make a move and create more room at the draft.
The 2025 NHL Draft kicks off at 7 p.m. ET, and the Capitals own five selections.