Capitals counting on prospects to step up on defense

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is taking a look at where each team stands. Today, the Washington Capitals:

The Washington Capitals knew there would be changes this offseason regardless of how they fared in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, those changes have been more painful after they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Eastern Conference Second Round for the second consecutive season after also winning the Presidents' Trophy for the second consecutive season.
After signing forward T.J. Oshie to an eight-year, $46 million contract June 23, before he could hit the free agent market, the Capitals re-signed restricted free agent forwards Evgeny Kuznetsov (eight years, $62.4 million) and Andre Burakovsky (two years, $6 million), defenseman Dmitry Orlov (six years, $30.6 million), and goalie Philipp Grubauer (one year, $1.5 million).

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However, those signings came at a cost. NHL salary-cap constraints forced Washington to trade forward Marcus Johansson to the New Jersey Devils for two picks in the 2018 NHL Draft. That move came after they lost Nate Schmidt in the NHL Expansion Draft and unrestricted free agents Justin Williams, Karl Alzner and Kevin Shattenkirk signed with other teams.
The Capitals are entering a transition season and will need some prospects or inexpensive veterans to step up and take places in their lineup.
Here is what the Capitals look like today:

Key arrival

Devante Smith-Pelly, RW: The 25-year-old signed a one-year, two-way contract ($650,000 NHL salary/$300,000 minor league salary) July 3 after the Devils bought out the final season of his two-year contract June 30. The Capitals hope Smith-Pelly, who was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round (No. 42) of the 2010 NHL Draft and has 77 points (33 goals, 44 assists) in 266 NHL games with the Devils, Ducks and Montreal Canadiens, can rebound after he had nine points (four goals, five assists) in 53 games last season.

Key departures

Marcus Johansson, F: Traded on July 2 for a second-round pick and a third-round pick in 2018, Johansson, who turns 27 on Oct. 6, set NHL career highs with 24 goals and 58 points last season. He can play center or wing. … Justin Williams, RW: The three-time Stanley Cup winner signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on July 1. Williams, who turns 36 on Oct. 4, had 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) in 80 games last season. … Karl Alzner, D: He signed a five-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens on July 1. Alzner, who turns 29 on Sept. 24, had 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) and a plus-23 rating last season. …Kevin Shattenkirk, D: He signed a four-year contract with the New York Rangers on July 1. The 28-year-old had 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 19 games after being acquired by the Capitals in a trade from the St. Louis Blues on Feb. 27. … Nate Schmidt, D: The Vegas Golden Knights selected Schmidt in the expansion draft. The 26-year-old was expected to play in the top four for the Capitals this season. … Daniel Winnik, LW: Although he scored an NHL career-high 12 goals last season, Winnik, 32, remains unsigned as an unrestricted free agent.

On the cusp

Jakub Vrana, F: The Capitals hope Vrana, their first-round pick (No. 13) in the 2014 NHL Draft, is ready to play regularly as a top-six forward. The 21-year-old had six points (three goals, three assists) in 21 NHL games and 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists) in 49 games for Hershey of the American Hockey League last season. …Madison Bowey, D: A lacerated ankle tendon that sidelined him for 2 1/2 months probably prevented Bowey, 22, from making his NHL debut last season, but he'll have a chance to make the Capitals in training camp with Alzner, Schmidt and Shattenkirk gone. A second-round pick (No. 53) in the 2013 NHL Draft, Bowey had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 34 games for Hershey last season. … Christian Djoos, D: Selected in the seventh round (No. 195) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Djoos also will have a chance to start the season in the NHL after finishing third among AHL defensemen with 58 points (13 goals, 45 assists) in 66 games for Hershey last season. Djoos, who turns 23 on Aug. 6, will have to show he can overcome his lack of size (6-foot, 164 pounds) with his skating and offensive skill. … Nathan Walker, LW: A third-round pick (No. 89) in 2014, Walker is on the verge of becoming the first Australian to reach the NHL. The 23-year-old, who emigrated from Wales to Australia with his parents as a young child, will get a chance play on the fourth line after scoring 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 58 games for Hershey last season.

What they still need

A top-four defenseman. If the Capitals don't add anyone else, they likely will begin the season with two defensemen who have no NHL experience on their roster. In addition to Bowey and Djoos, Lucas Johansen, a first-round pick (No. 28) in the 2016 NHL Draft, and Jonas Siegenthaler, a second-round pick (No. 57) in the 2015 NHL Draft, also will get looks in training camp. It would not be surprising if a veteran is brought in on a professional tryout agreement for training camp.

Pete Jensen's fantasy focus

The Capitals lost two top-six forwards this offseason: Williams signed with the Hurricanes and Johansson was traded to the Devils. That means Burakovsky (No. 122 in NHL.com's fantasy rankings) finally can slot in on the second line with Kuznetsov and on the first power-play unit with Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. Burakovsky's long-awaited breakout may finally be upon us, so target him after the first 10 rounds of a 12-team fantasy draft.

Projected lineup

Andre Burakovsky -- Nicklas Backstrom -- T.J. Oshie
Alex Ovechkin -- Evgeny Kuznetsov -- Jakub Vrana
Brett Connolly -- Lars Eller -- Tom Wilson
Nathan Walker -- Jay Beagle -- Devante Smith-Pelly
Dmitry Orlov -- Matt Niskanen
Taylor Chorney -- John Carlson
Brooks Orpik -- Madison Bowey
Braden Holtby
Philipp Grubauer