Just accept it at this point

Fleury was just traded to Chicago for nothing right after winning the Vezina. How does his value go up to a 1st rounder after the worst start to a season is his career

For the exact reason I just gave you in the trade description. Vegas gave him away cuz they were desperate for cap. That doesn’t change his value. Meanwhile, Chicago, who’s defense is ungodly bad, has been at the heart of his poor displays. He’s still fleury though, and a playoff will pay that for a playoff run.

While it would be fun to see Kane and Ovi together, it just doesn't make sense for the caps at the current price. WSH already have a log jam at wing, with WIlson, Sprong, and Oshie all fighting for top 6 minutes, and Washington can't really afford/wants to get rid of Lapierre and the picks required. I especially think they don't want to trade Lappy since they clearly have faith in him to play well, and with remembering that he could have gone far earlier had he not had injury concerns. Plus, this would mean the Caps would have to most likely move 2 players (Schultz and Hagelin/Kempny come to mind), which would overall weaken the team more than it might help.

That’s all very fair concerns. To the point of wingers, I would then ask, what if Oshie came back the other way? It frees up cap and a spot. As for lapierre, I feel like I’d want either him or mcmichael out of said trade. If it took taking a pick out of the trade that’d be fair.

It's a bad start for a 36, almost 37 year old goalie at a high cap hit. Team's will use everything that's happened since the offseason as leverage against Chicago so they'd have to at least retain to get anything of value imo. Which can't happen if they are to move Kaner & Toews like you do here with retention.