WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals will have some work to do and moves to consider with the NHL Trade Deadline looming, and they're focused on doing whatever they deem necessary to make a legitimate run for the Stanley Cup.
Of course, one major possible boost that could come in the spring would be the addition of Ryan Leonard, who is finishing up his second year at Boston College and seems ready to make the jump from the NCAA to the pros.
Still, even with Leonard likely to come to the NHL, Washington isn't shifting its trade deadline plans for his imminent arrival.
"Ryan, I think, we have to hold separate (from our plans)," general manager Chris Patrick explained. "Obviously, he decided to go back to college this year. He's accomplished a lot of great things this year, like a lot of our prorspects have, so I think we're going to have to approach the deadline with kind of holding him separate."
Patrick wouldn't speak much on specific areas that the team will look to address with the deadline looming, though the third line has been a question mark all season as the team seeks stability and consistency on the bottom-6 down the stretch.
"Anything's on the table," Patrick said.
Capitals GM Chris Patrick Says 'Anything On The Table' Going Into Trade Deadline WASHINGTON — Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick likes to play his cards close to the vest, and he didn't reveal too much as the team heads towards the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline.
Through 31 games this season with the Eagles, Leonard has 27 goals and 15 assists for 42 points as he continues to make waves as one of the top scorers at the collegiate level. A big factor in his decision to return to college for a sophomore season was to get another run at a championship, as Boston College fell to Denver in last year's final.
That said, him winning this time around could make all the difference and expedite his move to the District.
Ultimately, though, Patrick wouldn't commit to Leonard making the NHL jump this season, and said that the team will touch base with his camp and see if he's ready to join the mix when his season comes to an end.
