Washington (38-12-8) currently hold the second-best record in the National Hockey League (NHL) and a 10-point lead over the Eastern Conference's second-place Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Caps have just over $3.6 million in cap space to work with.
So what more does the NHL's top goal-scoring team need to even do at this point at the trade deadline - if anything? Well, in his first season as the team's GM, Patrick is all ears to getting even better - no matter if it's depth or a big splash.
“Obviously, the team's had a really good year so far,” said Patrick. "We got a couple months here to go where we need to continue improving our game and getting to the next level. Obviously, when the playoffs start, everything ramps up, and we got to make sure we're ready to do that."
“I think it's going to be a balance of, are there ways to improve our team versus risking over-tinkering with what's been a pretty good group so far this year.”
Ahead of their 2018 Stanley Cup Finals run, the Capitals traded for defencemen Michal Kempny (34) and Jakub Jerabek (33) simply as depth pieces, proving that a relatively conservative trade deadline proved to be the right move.
Patrick thinks it's not always about making the biggest splash - but the right fit.
“I think you look at trade deadline deals - not just our team, any team in the League - when they make a big splash or a small addition and do they end up moving the needle a lot on a team's chances to win the Stanley Cup,” said Patrick. “It's debatable, so I think you need to make smart moves for your hockey club. I want Alex to win a Stanley Cup. I want everybody on this team to win a Stanley Cup. I think all our decisions are dictated on trying to get this team into a point to win the Stanley Cup".
“We're open to do whatever if it's going to improve the team, but we're not going to do deals for the sake of making deals."
Who can the Caps trade for
The Capitals don't have many holes that one could look at and think they needed to fix it immediately or else they won't win the Stanley Cup.
Logan Thompson (28) has proven to be one of the best goalies in the league this year and is fighting his way to a possible Vezina Trophy award.
They lead the league in goal-scoring and have given up the third-least amount of goals (146). Washington ranks ninth in power-play success (24.4 percent) and have the fifth-best penalty kill (82.1 percent).
With Sonny Milano (28) returning from injury, who might they go after? Christopher Babos from The Hockey Writers suggests that Team USA forward and New York Islanders alternate captain Brock Nelson as a potential fit.
The 33-year-old veteran has 17 goals and 20 assists for the Islanders this year and could potentially add a great all-around veteran in the locker room that won't break the bank.
But given the cap situation and how the team has meshed up to this point, the Capitals might not make a splash like Nelson whatsoever.
To finalize - is this a Capitals team that even needs to make a move at the NHL trade deadline? No.
