Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said Monday he has meetings scheduled for next week at the NHL Draft in Dallas with the representatives of the team’s pending free agents.
The Capitals will have 10 free agents, five unrestricted and five restricted, with defenseman John Carlson being Washington’s No.1 priority.
Washington can negotiate with Carlson and the others exclusively until free agency begins July 1. At that point, other teams are permitted to speak with — and sign — the Capitals’ free agents.
Carlson, who led defensemen in points last season, said last week he wants to return to the Capitals, but “there’s more to it than that.