Capitals Rumors: Veteran Winger Becoming Trade Candidate

The Washington Capitals are one of the many teams in the Eastern Conference who are currently fighting for a playoff spot. They currently sit in fourth in the Metropolitan Division, but the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders are only one point behind them, while the Pittsburgh Penguins trail them by two points.

The Capitals also have a disastrous minus-21 goal differential, so if they continue to struggle scoring, they run the chance of falling further down in the standings. As a result, if they find themselves out of a playoff spot nearing the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, one player who could be on the move in that scenario is Max Pacioretty, according to Daily Faceoff's Matt Larkin.

Pending UFAs on bubble playoff teams: Own-rental or trade them?

Continuing our Trade Deadline Countdown, @MLarkinHockey looks at five "swing" UFAs who could stay or go.

STORY:https://t.co/wLSkfTgGd1
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) January 19, 2024

Pacioretty signed a one-year deal with the Capitals this offseason while still recovering from his Achilles injury. It was a long road back for the veteran forward, but he has since looked solid for the Caps, posting one goal and five points in his first eight games. However, if he finds his previous form before his two Achilles injuries, he could be a big trading asset for the Caps, as Larkin mentions in his piece.

With the Capitals still very much in the playoff race, they are not necessarily in a position to become sellers immediately. However, if their lack of scoring catches up with them and they fall out of the race, Pacioretty will be a player to watch very closely in the trade market.