Keep, Cut, Or Wait?: Reviewing Washington Capitals’ 2025 UFAs

Photo: @Capitals

After a busy summer that saw the Washington Capitals acquire seven new players, the team will face some tough decisions next offseason, with seven pending unrestricted free agents at the NHL level. NoVa Caps examines these seven players, all eligible for free agency on July 1, and labels each one with a recommendation prior to the 2024-25 season: whether the team should retain them, wait to make a decision, or let their contracts expire.

NHL Roster

• LW Andrew Mangiapane – The 28-year-old had at least 17 goals and 30 points in each of his previous four seasons, including a 35-goal campaign in 2021-22, before notching a career-low 14 goals and 40 points in 75 games with the Calgary Flames last season. With Ryan Leonard possibly making the jump to the NHL next fall, or even this upcoming spring, the Capitals will need to clear roster space in the middle-six forward group. As a result, Mangiapane is likely the odd man out, barring a strong season. Verdict: cut
• C Nic Dowd – The 34-year-old tallied 12 goals, 22 points, a .481 faceoff-winning percentage, and a .4212 five-on-five expected goals-for percentage in 64 regular-season games before being held scoreless when Washington was swept in the opening round of the postseason. Dowd is arguably the team’s best shutdown forward and can also contribute offensively. However, the Capitals have been trending toward getting younger over the past couple of years and will likely give a younger player the opportunity to earn this role in next year’s training camp. Verdict: cut

• RW Taylor Raddysh — The 26-year-old notched five goals, 14 points, and a .4288 five-on-five expected goals-for percentage in 73 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. Raddysh is primarily used as a defensive forward but can also contribute offensively, having scored 20 goals and 37 points in 78 games just two seasons ago. He signed an affordable contract over the offseason and matches the age range the Capitals need more of. Washington will likely need time to see if the fit is there. Verdict: wait
• D Jakob Chychrun – The 26-year-old earned 14 goals, 41 points, a -30 rating, a .5002 five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, a .4755 expected goals-for percentage, and a .4858 scoring chances-for percentage in 82 games last season with the Ottawa Senators. He averaged 22:23 per game (third among Senators defensemen), including 2:41 on the power play (second). Washington ranked 31st in goals by defensemen, with just 20 (half of which came from John Carlson, who had at least seven more than anyone else) last season, Washington’s first full campaign without Dmitry Orlov. The team will need more offense from the blueline going forward, and Chychrun has always been a player they have coveted. Verdict: keep

• D Ethan Bear – After missing six months due to offseason shoulder surgery, the 26-year-old tallied a goal, four points, a -5 rating, a .4537 five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, a .4089 five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and a .4181 five-on-five scoring chances-for percentage in 24 games before entering the NHLPA Players’ Assistance Program in mid-March during his first season in Washington. The team will likely want to see how Bear performs after having a full offseason of unrestricted training, but they have three right-handed blueliners (Carlson, Matt Roy, Trevor Van Riemsdyk) under contract for 2025-26, though all will be on the wrong side of 30. Verdict: cut
• G Charlie Lindgren – The 30-year-old was arguably Washington’s best player last season, going 25-16-7 with a .911 save percentage, a 2.67 goals-against average, a 4.92 five-on-five goals-saved above average, and six shutouts. However, he started 27 NHL games for the first time in his nine-season career, which he has primarily spent in the AHL. Lindgren’s performance dropped in the postseason, where he recorded an .864 save percentage and a 3.58 goals-against average. Especially considering his value is high right now, the Capitals will likely want to see him play more before deciding whether to extend him. Verdict: wait

• G Logan Thompson – The 27-year-old went 25-14-5 with a .908 save percentage, 2.70 goals-against average, a shutout, and 5.22 goals-saved above average in 46 regular-season games last season with the Vegas Golden Knights before getting traded on June 29. He posted a .921 save percentage and 2.35 goals-against average in four postseason games during Vegas’ seven-game loss to the Dallas Stars in the first round, but Adin Hill started the final three outings of the series. Thompson will likely play in a tandem situation with Lindgren this season, and Washington will need to determine whether that rotation works or if they need a dependable starter next summer. Verdict: wait

Others On LTIR/In AHL

• C Nicklas Backstrom
• RW T.J. Oshie
• C Michael Sgarbossa
• RW Spencer Smallman
• RW Riley Sutter
• C Riley Sutter
• C Luke Philp
• C Alex Limoges
• D Dylan McIlrath
• D Chase Priskie
• G Hunter Shepard

By Harrison Brown