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NHL Trade Rumors: Washington Capitals, Kings reportedly close to deal

By Dave Stevenson |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: Kyle Clifford #13 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2019 in New York City. The Kings defeated the Rangers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: Kyle Clifford #13 of the Los Angeles Kings skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 04, 2019 in New York City. The Kings defeated the Rangers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

According to Bob McKenzie, the NHL trade rumors market is heating up. The Washington Capitals and Los Angeles Kings could be very close to making a trade.

Things are moving quickly for the Washington Capitals. On Wednesday, Feb. 20, they initially were going to put Dmitri Jaskin on waivers. However, it was Devante Smith-Pelly, who scored one of the most memorable goals in franchise history to tie Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, who found himself on waivers. The latest NHL trade rumors have them very close to making a trade.

According to Bob McKenzie, the Caps decisions had to with a trade they’ll be making soon. Though it’s not set in stone, he’s reporting the trade will likely be with the Los Angeles Kings. It likely can’t happen until the Capitals get Smith-Pelly’s $1 million cap hit off the books.

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The Capitals have scouted the Kings numerous times, according to The Fourth Period. They’re looking to upgrade their bottom six forward core and Los Angeles has several interesting names. By name, McKenzie mentions three of them – Kyle Clifford, Carl Hagelin, and Trevor Lewis.

Hagelin

Hagelin is someone who the Capitals and their fans are familiar with. He’s been a common adversary of the team from his days with the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins. Hagelin will be an unrestricted free agent after this season, which works for the Capitals.

His production is down, however. Even before being traded to the Kings, he wasn’t producing in Pittsburgh. Hagelin has eight points in 36 games. But as recently as last season, you could pencil him in for 20 to 30 points a game.

Hagelin would give the Capitals struggling penalty kill a bit of a lift as well. He’s a very good defensive forward who finds himself in the green in possession numbers far more often than not. There is, however, the issue of his $3.5 million cap hit, which might be a bit too rich for the Caps’ blood.

Lewis

Lewis has a $2 million cap hit for this season and the 2019-20 season. So the 32 year old forward would be more than merely a rental for the Capitals. Lewis is a quality defensive forward, but much like Hagelin, his offensive numbers leave a lot to be desired.

He has five points in 21 games, but has nice possession numbers this year. Lewis put up a combined 14 points in 46 games during their two Stanley Cup runs (2012 and 2014).

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Clifford

Personally, Clifford is the guy who the Capitals should be targetting. Ideally, they’d talk to the Kings into retaining some salary. His $1.6 million cap hit isn’t an issue, but he has a year left on his deal after this one. If the Capitals talk them into retaining salary, that would allow them to do something else at the trade deadline should the opportunity come.

For updated NHL trade rumors, be sure to check out our Rumors page.

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