With the NHL free agency period closing in, we at NBC Sports Washington want to know which free agents you, the fans, think the Capitals should make moves on this off-season.
We chose the 16 free agents we think are the best fits for the Caps. Every week day we'll pit two free agents against eachother, make an argument for why the Caps should sign each player and let you, the fans, vote via our Twitter.
Here are the various matchups, with voting details, a brief preview of the matchup and the final voting results. The free agents are split into four regions: third line forward, fourth line forward, depth defenseman and Capitals' free agent.
CAPS FREE AGENT MATCHUP BRACKET
Round One
MARCUS JOHANSSON, C/W (Bruins) vs. JOONAS DONSKOI, RW (Sharks)
Voting Period: Mon. 6/10 6 a.m. ET to Tues. 6/11 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Johansson is obviously a good fit in Washington. The former Cap has put up a strong postseason performance with Boston, and is one of the reasons the Bruins are in the postseason to begin with. But MoJo is money and Donskoi is a competitive, cheaper option. Click here for the full matchup breakdown of Marcus Johansson vs. Joonas Donskoi.
Voting Results: Michael Ferland (149) over Marcus Johansson (38)
Day one of our Free Agency Bracket pins Marcus Johansson against Joonas Donskoi. Who should the Caps go after?
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 10, 2019
🔄 for MoJo
❤️ for Donskoi pic.twitter.com/rOu8fudhS4
MATTS ZUCCARELLO, LW (Stars) vs. MICHEAL FERLAND, LW (Hurricanes)
Voting Period: Tues. 6/11 6 a.m. ET to Wed. 6/12 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Zuccarello was a major factor for the Stars in the playoffs, while Ferland completely disappeared. An injury limited the winger to seven games for Carolina, and he managed just one point in those seven games. Click here for the full matchup breakdown of Matts Zuccarello vs. Michael Ferland.
Voting Results: Michael Ferland (60) over Matts Zuccarello (19)
Day two of our Free Agent Bracket:
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 11, 2019
Mats Zuccarello vs Micheal Ferland
Who do you choose?
🔁 for Zuccarello
❤️ for Ferland pic.twitter.com/mhO0FidFJl
BEN LOVEJOY, D (Stars) vs. DERYK ENGELLAND, D (Golden Knights)
Voting Period: Wed. 6/12 6 a.m. ET to Thurs. 6/13 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Lovejoy's playoff experience with both Dallas and Pittsburgh means the defenseman could provide added depth for the Caps, both on and off the penalty kill. Engelland also brings penalty-kill experience, in addition to strong possession. Click here for the full matchup breakdown of Ben Lovejoy and Deryk Engelland.
Voting Results: Engelland (24) over Lovejoy (18)
Day three of our Free Agent Bracket:
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 12, 2019
Ben Lovejoy vs Deryk Engelland
Who do you choose?
🔁 for Lovejoy
❤️ for Engelland pic.twitter.com/c3RtAJsTCi
CARL GUNNARSSON, D (Blues) vs. RON HAINSEY, D (Maple Leafs)
Voting Period: Thurs. 6/13 6 a.m. ET to 6/14 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Gunnarsson is cheap and can deliver when it matters. Hainsey likely won't be as cheap, but is a stronger defenseman than Gunnarsson. Click here for the full matchup breakdown of Carl Gunnarsson vs. Ron Hainsey.
Voting Results: Gunnarsson (16) over Hainsey (9)
Day four of our Free Agent Bracket:
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 13, 2019
Carl Gunnarsson vs Ron Hainsey
Who do you choose?
🔁 for Gunnarsson
❤️ for Hainsey pic.twitter.com/2W8wCb0U3p
BRIAN BOYLE, C (Predators) vs. MARCUS KRUGER, C (Blackhawks)
Voting Period: Fri. 6/14 6 a.m. ET to Sat. 6/15 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Boyle's size and consistency speaks for itself, as does his playoff experience. But the smaller Kruger will likely cost less, and has a fair amound of Stanley Cup experience as well. Click here for the full matchup breakdown of Brian Boyle vs. Marcus Kruger.
Voting Results: Kruger (43) over Boyle (16)
Day five of our Free Agent Bracket:
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 14, 2019
Brian Boyle vs Marcus Kruger
Who do you choose?
🔁 for Boyle
❤️ for Kruger pic.twitter.com/XQP2kSMDuE
NOEL ACCIARI, C (Bruins) vs. PIERRE-EDOUARD BELLEMARE, LW (Golden Knights)
Voting Period: Mon. 6/17 6 a.m. ET to Tues. 6/18 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Acciari's character and toughness speaks for itself, as does his penalty-kill experience. Bellemare brings veteran experience and strength on the penalty kill. Click here for the full matchup breakfown of Noel Acciari vs. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare.
Voting Results: TBD
CARL HAGELIN, LW (Capitals) vs. DEVANTE SMITH-PELLY, RW (Capitals)
Voting Period: Tues. 6/18 6 a.m. ET to Wed. 6/19 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Since the Capitals already resigned Hagelin, the question becomes whether Smith-Pelly is worth resigning too. WHile the winger's 2018 playoff performance was key to the Caps' victory, after last season there are some red flags. Click here for a full breakdown on whether the Capitals should resign Smith-Pelly.
Voting Results: Devante Smith-Pelly should be resigned (39)
BRETT CONNOLLY, RW (Capitals) vs. BROOKS ORPIK, D (Capitals)
Voting Period: Wed. 6/19 6 a.m. ET to Thurs. 6/20 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: While Connolly added to the Caps' scoring depth, he's pricey. But veteran Orpik brings a certain expertise with his less-expensive pricetag. Click here for a full matchup breakdown on Brett Connolly and Brooks Orpik.
Voting Results: TBD
Round Two
MICHEAL FERLAND, LW (Hurricanes) vs. JOONAS DONSKOI, RW (Sharks)
Voting Period: Wed. 6/19 6 a.m. ET to Thurs. 6/20 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Ferland is productive and physical, but Donskoi is cheaper. Which should the Caps sign? Click here for the full matchup breakdown on Micheal Ferland vs. Joonas Donskoi.
Voting Results: Donskoi (67) over Ferland (7)
ROUND TWO of our Free Agent Bracket begins today.
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 20, 2019
Micheal Ferland vs Joonas Donskoi
Who do you choose?
🔁 for Ferland
❤️ for Donskoi pic.twitter.com/hKkAJBTp6o
DERYK ENGELLAND, D (Golden Knights) vs. CARL GUNNARSSON, D (Blues)
Voting Period: Wed. 6/19 6 a.m. ET to Thurs. 6/20 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Engelland has good experience with the Golden Knights can fill various roles and take on a third-line role. Gunnarsson is older but has proved clutch for the Blues and is good on the penalty kill. Click here for the full matchup breakdown on Deryk Engelland vs. Carl Gunnarsson.
Voting Results: Engelland (15) over Gunnarsson (12)
Free Agent Bracket Round Two:
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 21, 2019
Carl Gunnarsson vs Deryk Engelland
Who do you choose?
🔁 for Gunnarsson
❤️ for Engelland pic.twitter.com/mKkVcnH6kv
MARCUS KRUGER, C (Blackhawks) vs. NOEL ACCIARI, C (Bruins)
Voting Period: Mon. 6/24 6 a.m. ET to Tues. 6/25 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Kruger's pricetag is lower than that of Acciari, plus Kruger brings a strength on the penalty kill. But Acciari is also strong on the penalty kill and would be a perfect fit on the Caps' fourth line. Click here for the full matchup breakdown on Marcus Kruger vs. Noel Acciari.
Voting Results: Acciari (36) over Kruger (4)
Free Agent Bracket Round Two:
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 24, 2019
Marcus Kruger vs Noel Acciari
Who do you choose?
🔁 for Kruger
❤️ for Acciari pic.twitter.com/l60G7QHMZj
BRETT CONNOLLY, RW (Capitals) vs. DEVANTE SMITH-PELLY, RW (Capitals)
Voting Period: Tues. 6/25 6 a.m. ET to Wed. 6/26 5:30 p.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Connolly adds to the Caps' scoring depth, but comes with a hefty pricetag. Smith-Pelly has proven to be inconsistent in the past, but is definitely less expensive. Click here for the full matchup breakdown on Brett Connolly vs. Devante Smith-Pelly.
Voting Results: Connolly (85) over Smith-Pelly (48)
Free Agent Bracket Round Two:
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) June 25, 2019
Brett Connolly vs Devante Smith-Pelly
Who do you choose?
🔁 for Connolly
❤️ for Smith-Pelly pic.twitter.com/bCRcqVaLmm
Round Three--Semifinals
JOONAS DONSKOI, RW (Sharks) vs. CARL GUNNARSSON, D (Blues)
Voting Period: Wed. 6/26 6 a.m. ET to Thurs. 6/27 5:30 a.m. ET
Matchup Preview: Donskoi can fit into any role required of him, while Gunnarsson is almost exactly what the Caps are looking for depth-wise. Click here for the full matchup breakdown on Joonas Donskoi vs. Carl Gunnarsson.
Voting Results: TBD
MORE CAPITALS NEWS:
-
Missing Out: Was 2019 a missed opportunity for the Caps?
-
Looking Back: How the Caps did in the 2010 draft
