TORONTO — For the first time in a long time, the Washington Capitals are not swimming in compliments.
With general manager Brian MacLellan at the controls, the NHL’s back-to-back Presidents’ Trophy winners hit a financial wall this summer. Unable to cram all contracts below the $75-million US salary cap ceiling, a number of key members from the Capitals’ stacked 2016-17 roster, including Justin Williams and Marcus Johansson, will be skating elsewhere in October.
“It’s how it is everywhere,” Capitals forward Brett Connolly told Postmedia on Wednesday at the annual BioSteel pro hockey camp. “GMs now, you’ve got to manage your money really well.