On Sunday June 16th the Washington Capitals announced that they have re-signed forward Carl Hagelin for four years and $11 million that has an AAV of $2.75 million per season.
Hagelin, who was aquired from the Los Angeles Kings near the trade deadline, recorded 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points in 20 games with the Capitals last season. Before coming to the Capitals Hagelin combined for eight points with both Los Angeles (1g, 4a in 22 games) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (1g, 2a in 16 games), and upon his arrival in the Nation’s Capital Hagelin averaged 2:21 minutes per game on the penalty kill, which was first amongst forwards for the Capitals since his debut on February 23rd.
Now to take a look at where you could slot Carl Hagelin in the Capitals lineup next season. Now right now looking at the Capitals lineup here is what we can expect going into next season:
Alex Ovechkin – Evgeny Kuznetsov – Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana – Nicklas Backstrom – TJ Oshie
Carl Hagelin – Lars Eller – ???
Travis Boyd – Nic Dowd – Chandler Stephenson
For now it would make sense to have Hagelin on the third line with Lars Eller as that is the line that will need the most looking at right now given how it is expected that Devante Smith-Pelly will not be with the Capitals next season, and there is a chance the Capitals could let Brett Connolly go to free agency to test the market which means we could be seeing some new faces get opportunities to crack the Capitals 2019-20 lineup. I personally only see two players getting a true opportunity at taking that last open spot and the extra forward roster spot and that is Riley Barber and Shane Gersich. Barber has proven in the AHL with the Hershey Bears that he is a goal scorer and he deserves a legitimate chance at the NHL level. Then with Shane Gersich, he has had a taste of the NHL level, especially in the playoffs during the Cup run, and is a speedy player that has a very hard work ethic and a promising NHL career ahead of him. With that said I could see one of two potential lineups for next season:
Option 1:
Alex Ovechkin – Evgeny Kuznetsov – Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana – Nicklas Backstrom – TJ Oshie
Carl Hagelin – Lars Eller – Riley Barber
Travis Boyd – Nic Dowd – Chandler Stephenson
Shane Gersich
Option 2:
Alex Ovechkin – Evgeny Kuznetsov – Tom Wilson
Jakub Vrana – Nicklas Backstrom – TJ Oshie
Carl Hagelin – Lars Eller – Riley Barber
Travis Boyd – Nic Dowd – Shane Gersich
Chandler Stephenson
Now with both options that I see for the Capitals they both have Barber on the third line, but on the fourth line I could see Gersich and Chandler Stephenson switching off and on for the fourth line, but this is a conversation when we get closer to September once we see what other trades and signings General Manager Brian MacLellan may do in the coming months leading up to Training Camp.
As for Hagelin, I see him starting the season on the third line. Him and Eller created some really good chemistry in the short time Hagelin was here in Washington. Now with a contract extension taken care of, their chemistry can continue to grow. However, on the same token Hagelin was also utilized on the other three lines, and just like with Tom Wilson, was able to breathe life into whatever line he was placed on so Hagelin is a true utility player that will can be used anywhere in the lineup.
Overall this signing was a very good one for the Capitals and for Hagelin. The AAV is very generous, and allows the Capitals more Cap flexibility going into next season. Plus it gives the Capitals a player that they can utilize in multiple parts of their lineup, and one they are familiar with, and not one they have to teach the system to and start from scratch.
