I suspect the Caps will make an offer to Wideman, but not until they start talking to Green and Carlson. They definitely want to get Green signed before they have to make him a qualifying offer, since Green will likely accept the QO (which is a 10% raise over his current contract for one year.) If he accepts that, he will be a UFA after the 2012-2013 season.

Carlson is due for a raise, but we’ll see what he ends up with. He’s not going to be getting Mike Green money, something over $2M is not out of the question.

Of course a lot depends on the new CBA, which will be negotiated starting this spring and hopefully be done before camps open in September.

I like Wideman quite a bit, but he’s also on pace for a career year. I am not sure I could stomach the contract he may be seeking as a 60 point defenseman.

So what are we figuring? 5.5 a year?

Depending on where the salary cap goes, I think the Caps may be able to take on the extra million. Schultz is going, Sasha will likely either be gone or have a reduced contract, and if Hamrlik brings up his play a bit, he might be tradeable in the off-season.

He’s an effective and experienced PP quarterback and makes any D-pairing a threat. I think he should be among the priorities.

Then again, it seems like everyone’s a top priority!