The defense without Kempny....

....and Orpik, and Niskanen. Yeah. It's a big offer. Some people think Puljujarvi's got potential, though?

Puljujarvi = Do not want

But you need to clear cap space so a trade needs to happen. However, Puljujarvi can either sign his $916K QO, or at ABSOLUTE most... $1Mx2. There is zero justification for anything over $1M. Frankly, there isn't any justification for $1M either, but Edmonton media machine is keeping people thinking that Puljujarvi has value.

If they could get him to three or four years at 1.5, and have room to carry 23, that might really make up for moving Kempny. I agree with you his next contract is really a "show me," but I figured I'd get flamed for posting it. So thanks for your courage.

Kempny is our best defensive defenseman why are we trading him. Right now the roster is perfect. Why mess it up for a guy who’s going to be a ufa soon (bc he’s terrible)

The roster would be "perfect" right now if the cap was $83.5M, but it's not, so the roster isn't.

Would love to get Poolparty but there's absolutely no way he's worth that much. Could get him for much less. But the main issue is there's no room for him up front. No way Panik is pushed to the 4th line. Best bet is to have him spend the year in Hershey then make room next year.

No way the Caps make this trade after they traded Niskanen. Kempny isn't going anywhere.

Kempney, in my humble opinion, is far too important to let go. For whatever reason he just fits and solidifies the defense.

Honestly they can let Copley move to Hershey call up samsonov and Stephenson can also can go directly to waivers. He’s not good. Dropping 1 million is fairly simple. I love this roster. Quietly one of the best teams in the nhl without having to sign any massive superstars or trade one or for one

I think Edmonton is looking for a young forward in return.

Edmonton's reportedly talking to Brassard, to try to add a checking center, but doesn't have the 4M cap space he wants. Stephenson has played more wing with the Caps, but came up as a listed center, and has the speed and defensive skills to eventually be a solid 3C. This year, they should put Khaira at 3C, either way, and if they can get Stephenson at 4C for $1 million, he'll be a better fit than Brassard at 4C for $3 million.

Stephenson led the Caps in faceoff percentage and was 2nd among forwards in short-handed time on ice, behind Eller, last year. He only has 24 points in over 100 regular season games, but he starts 75% of his shifts behind the red line, so that's to be expected. And he's won a Cup, playing all three forward spots, and getting as high as the 2nd line for a game or two against Columbus.

What has Puljujarvi done since world juniors ended?

I still can't find any info on how well JP speaks Swedish, so I really don't know whether this makes sense. But the Caps probably have some Swedish scouts who can find out? He was born in Sweden, and Finish schools usually start teaching Swedish in 3rd grade, but don't start English until, like, middle school? Playing with Hagelin and Eller who both speak Swedish pretty well should make pro hockey much easier for JP than it was when he played a bunch with Lucic and Spooner and whatever Bruins retreads Chiarelli thought would save the team.

Kempny is obviously worth a late 1st right now, because he's a decent top-pairing guy, who blocks a ton of shots, puts up an incredible plus/minus, and even gets a few points.

Maybe I'm just really optimistic, but I think Djoos has had a lot of time to heal, now, from the leg injury that kept him out for so much of last year. Last summer we all had Djoos pencilled into a top four role. If he could play 18 minutes a night with Carlson, and I think he can, then the above defense is still decent?

ETA: Maybe I'm overvaluing JP. Tough to tell from your comments. You guys can be a little subtle, sometimes.

Stephenson sucks and I would probably not trade him for pool party. I think gersich is a far better player than both and should get some time in the nhl before we trade for him or give Stephenson a roster spot

The Samsonov/Copley flip only saves $85K. Waiving Stephenson doesn't remove him from the cap. If you actually send him down you have to call someone else up to fill that roster spot. Biggest savings there might be about $300K. Still nearly $1M over the cap.

And the nonsense of fielding only 21 players, or even 22, is just that, nonsense. Even the Cup year the Caps averaged 22.9 players, and they were VERY lucky on a lack of non-LTIR injuries. It is simply folly to bank on going that route.

They were either lucky or they toughed a lot of little things out and made it work. Toughing out small injuries is easier when your team has five proven, established top-four defensemen than four. At the same time, people are posting Jensen trades that give him away based on his numbers with the Red Wings, and my whole thought in posting this is that Kempny has already shown what he can do on a great team, and people can see what a great value his contract is. Kempny's on-ice value might be a high second, but because he's signed so cheap, his trade value is a late 1st. Jensen is just as good, I think, and after a year with the Caps, I think other people will see it, too, so if one has to be traded now, my idea was to maximize the return by moving Kempny.

But it looks like I whiffed on picking a trade target. If Puljujarvi is worthless right now, then obviously Stephenson and 4th should be enough to get him.

Back to your question of whether the Caps consider moving a player to clear cap, that might depend on the target. Who is cheaper than Kempny, younger, with more up-side, and has two or more years left on their deal? https://www.capfriendly.com/browse/active/2020/caphit/all/forwards&signing-status=rfa&contract=standard&p=3

Ritchie? Hinostrosza? Crouse? Blake Coleman at 1.8 opens up a minimum wage spot behind Kempny's cap hit, and is a 20 goal scorer at the same age, with the same term remaining, but I doubt NJ move him... even if a few NJD fans say their team is looking for a top pairing LHD to get the best results out of some UFA they signed?

ETA: I posted it on the NJ side, because why should we worry about it if they're not even interested? https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1380525

I imagine Stephenson gets picked up from waivers if not his entire salary would be down in hershy and the capitals already have 23 guys they could fit under and be fine. I can make a team if needed

Cool. Do one with 23 guys and under the cap, without trading anyone.