It was really only a matter of time that the Capitals ended the season outside of the playoff picture, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that coach Peter Laviolette and the organization decided to part ways. There are several reasons this season ended as it did, and the fact that they even had a chance before the All Star break seems incredible in retrospect.
The Caps haven’t exactly lit up the playoffs since 2018, so even if they made the postseason, another first-round loss would have been close to even odds on those annoying betting apps. If the organization wanted, it very well could have made a push for the playoffs by not trading away players at the trade deadline, or even adding ones that made sense. But even then, how deep would they have gone, with teams like Boston in the mix? It simply wasn’t worth it. Instead, they traded away several expiring contracts, including Lars Eller, Marcus Johansson, and Garnet Hathaway, and indirectly got Rasmus Sandin for Dmitry Orlov. Ideally, they would have been able to get rid of Conor Sheary, Craig Smith (who came in the Orlov trade but likely isn’t in long term plans), and Anthony Mantha, who isn’t a free agent but certainly isn’t living up to his $5.7 million salary. The Caps will also be losing Carl Hagelin and Connor Brown, who were both injured this season but at least will shed $6.35 million in salary.
Injuries took a tole these past few years, and that is absolutely an excuse for the lackluster play. For years, the Caps were one of the least-injured teams in the league. Here’s how the team has ranked in the last eight seasons:
- 2022-23 rank: #29th least injured team
- 2021-22 rank: #25
- 2020-21 rank: #13
- 2019-20 rank: #1
- 2018-19 rank: #1
- 2017-18 rank: #2
- 2016-17 rank: #1
- 2015-16 rank: #6
It’s not uncommon for a team to have the run the Caps had and not take a tumble, especially as aging stars don’t put up the same numbers as in previous seasons. Pittsburgh just missed the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons, which included three Stanley Cups. Chicago is one of the worst teams in the league now, with their three Stanley Cups in the rear-view mirror. St. Louis is out of the playoffs, just a few years after their Cup.
What’s there to be positive about right now? The Caps will get a top 10 draft pick this year in a relatively talented draft pool. They re-signed Dylan Strome, who had a career year. Alex Ovechkin has three more seasons left and something to play for. Darcy Kuemper is a strong netminder, and Charlie Lindgren is a solid backup. The stars, such as Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson, T.J. Oshie and Tom Wilson have all summer to heal up. And there will be plenty of salary cap space to make some moves.
Go Caps.
