3 The rest of the UFA, what the Washington Capitals should pursue – Hockey Writer –
The Washington Capitals strengthened the NHL’s valuable depth later in the 2024-25 season due to the misfortune of the injury bug. Forward Aliaksei Protas slowly returned to the Stanley Cup playoff roster after being skated on the rink against the Chicago Blackhawks on April 4. Five games later, Capitals defender Martin Fehervary suffered a late-season knee injury after a hit against New York Island on April 15. Both injuries will affect the playoffs in the 2025 Washington playoffs. With that in mind, here are three unrestricted free agents who can offer some valuable free agents by 2025 to provide some valuable depth by 20225.
Jack Roslovic
The Capitals saw Jack Roslovic’s crash in May’s second round showdown with the Carolina Hurricanes and scored a playoff goal in a 4-0 three-game Hurricane victory, so his crash situation. Roslovic scored four points in nine playoff games at Carolina. However, the forward found himself still entering the free agent market in mid-August.
Roslovic, 28, signed a year-on-year, $2.8 million contract with the Hurricane contract in 2024-25. The hat space in Washington just exceeded $4 million, which puts them a little far and keeps them moving forward. But, undeniably, Roslovic has accumulated 39 points in 81 games last season, scored 102 goals and 260 points in 526 professional games, and can still play a role in the NHL. Roslovic should find roles in the NHL this season when it comes to the center depth of the NHL premium, so why not Washington? If the veteran forward is willing to lower his asking price, the country’s capital may have a suitable price.
Victor Olofsson
Victor Olofsson, 30, scored 29 points in 56 regular season games against the Las Vegas Golden Cavaliers last season. The 5-foot-11 winger also accumulated four points in nine playoff games as Las Vegas was stopped in the second round by the Edmonton Oilers. This led him to sign a one-year, $1.075 million contract with Las Vegas in July 2024.
Olofsson can provide the capital with natural goal wingers in cheap contracts. Just a few seasons ago, he was a back-to-back 20 goal scorer in the NHL, scoring 20 goals in 2021-22 and as a member of the Buffalo Sabers in 2022-23. During his career, Olofsson scored 105 goals in 370 games and scored 211 points.
While he is no longer a top six force in the roster, the NHL veteran may be a valuable player, and if the situation calls for it, it can glide like Anthony Beauvilier in the Washington playoffs like Anthony Beauvilier.
Matt Grzelcyk
Matt Grzelcyk, 31, signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins for a year, $2.75 million deal in the 2024-25 season and scored his best offensive season of his career with 40 points in 82 games. His 39 assists nearly doubled, and his career-best, with 22 assists for the Boston Bruins in 2022-23. Still, Grzelcyk found himself seeking a new deal in August.
Plus Grzelcyk can help alleviate the problems faced by Washington last season, when Alexander Alexeyev was not ready for a constant roster of coach Spencer Carbery during the playoffs. He played 10 games but didn’t record scores and minus 2 ratings. While there may not be room for a fixed capital defense department at the moment, if the injury is injured in Washington in 2025-26, an NHL veteran like Grzelcyk could be priceless. After spending most of the last decade in Boston, the defensive has 66 playoff experience, which could be valuable for the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Wish.
Related: Deep Diving: Matt Grzelcyk’s hometown kids from Brown Bear
General Manager Chris Patrick will not be caught off guard again in 2025-26 after being injured in late 2024-25. Whether it’s a late free agent contract, training camp training rooms or seasonal trade acquisitions, the Capital will do everything to ensure the roster is ready for damage issues this season and beyond.
