This core we’ve all watched as Washington Capitals fans might not be as intact in a few years, and we’ve gotten an early taste of some departures this offseason from the bottom-six forwards as well as a two of the biggest leaders on the defense.
Andre Burakovsky and Brett Connolly will be suiting up for the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers, respectively. Devante Smith-Pelly, a playoff hero and fan favorite, still remains unsigned.
On the defense, Brooks Orpik retired after a successful NHL career while Matt Niskanen was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for Radko Gudas to shed some salary cap money.