"I think it's just going to happen naturally," MacLellan said. "Our [restricted free agents] are going to take more ice time. They're going to be a bigger part of this team."
The Capitals won the Presidents' Trophy for the second straight season but failed to make it past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After Washington was eliminated in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round by the Pittsburgh Penguins, several players suggested drastic changes were needed, but MacLellan disagrees.
"I think it's tough to make a major change," MacLellan said. "I think it's a lot easier to make this team worse than it is better."
MacLellan said he expects to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie in the NHL Expansion Draft that will provide the Vegas Golden Knights with their players, but hasn't finalized the list. The 30 NHL teams must submit their list of protected players by 5 p.m. ET June 17. Vegas will submit its selections by 10 a.m. ET June 21.
A team has the option to protect eight skaters (forwards/defensemen) and one goaltender,
"We're going to have to react after they pick their player," MacLellan said. "We're going to have to fill a hole. Whatever player they pick, we're going to have to try and fill that hole."