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Caps GM Brian MacLellan Talks the Future of Burakovsky, Connolly, Free Agency, and More

Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan spoke to the assembled Capitals media today to answer questions from reporters, and shared his inside thoughts on the draft, Kuznetsov’s gaff, and several big name free agents. Japers’ Rink was on the call, and here are some of the juiciest tidbits you’ll want to know!

On how Washington is approaching the draft, free agency, and whether or not the team is still in “win now” mode:

With two Presidents Trophies, a Vezina, a Conn Smythe, and a Stanley Cup to Washington’s name over that period, MacLellan’s five-year plan has been a good one so far.

On newly-signed defenseman Radko Gudas, and what he brings to the Capitals:

That echoes the comments that Gudas himself made on his conference call on Tuesday, when he highlighted his physical play and experience on the penalty kill as areas where he can help the team immediately.

On whether or not the Capitals plan to make qualifying offers to all of their restricted free agents (RFAs):

Reporters asked MacLellan specifically whether Andre Burakovsky was one of the players the team will have to “make a decision” on.

His direct answer?

Uh-oh. MacLellan, who is well-known for his honesty and forthrightness with reporters, may have tipped his hand a bit here and revealed the truly deep uncertainly this team’s front office feels towards the streaky, deke-y Swedish winger.

On 24-year-old winger Andre Burakovsky, who had just 25 points in 76 games in 2018-2019 and is an RFA this offseason:

That operative word here, of course, is “comfortable.” “How comfortable?” is the question. If you feel you’ve got a king size memory foam mattress, your expected return will be different than if you feel you’re sitting on a lava rock suppository.

Expect to hear that the Capitals are entertaining serious offers for Burakovsky at the draft and beyond.

On 27-year-old winger Brett Connolly, who is an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this offseason after scoring a career-high 22 goals last season:

When asked by reporters if it will be hard to re-sign Connolly, MacLellan admitted the Canadian sniper might get better offers elsewhere.

When I spoke to Dean Clark, Connolly’s junior hockey coach at Prince George of the WHL, for a feature on Connolly in Washington City Paper this past season, Clark told me that he expected Connolly – who has bounced in, out of, and around the NHL in his short career – to capitalize on the stench of success left over from Washington’s Stanley Cup win to secure himself a longer, richer contract, most likely with another team.

“Everybody wants more. Everybody wants to increase their role. That’s how we’re built,” Connolly told me when I interviewed him for that feature.

Sometimes, it’s wisest to take people at their word.

On injured defenseman Michal Kempny, who sustained a lower-body injury on March 20th and missed the entirety of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs:

That’s good news for Capitals fans, who learned the hard way how important defensive depth and experience are to a deep, championship run.

On the video that surfaced this offseason of Evgeny Kuznetsov in a hotel room with an “unidentified white powder”:

MacLellan added that he “expects Kuzy to have a big year,” but as I noted on Twitter, there’s a lot to be read into MacLellan’s tone of voice:

Beyond that, MacLellan mentioned that he had spoken to the agents of UFAs Devante-Smith Pelly and Brooks Orpik, but it did not sound as if they were high or likely priorities for the Capitals, and I fully expect them both to be gone next season. But both will forever be champions, forever be Stanley Cup heroes, and forever be Washington Capitals in the minds of many fans.

So there you have it, Caps fans. The oracle has spoken, and you now know everything we know about the Capitals’ free agency plans.

The NHL Draft is June 21st-22nd, and the Capitals’ first 2019 preseason game is September 16th against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena.

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