Caps facing tough decisions at trade deadline

For the Caps, this week was do or die. A back-to-back matchup with the division-leading Jets was the Caps’ last chance to turn things around this season. Two losses would have all but doomed their chances for a late run to the postseason.

The Caps let everyone know that they were not ready to call it quits.

Oates and crew came out swinging and Troy Brouwer scored 3:06 into the game. Turns out, that would be all the Caps needed on the night.

They would tally another three for good measure and Holtby would chip in with a shutout. It was mission accomplished in game one as the Caps coasted to a 4-0 win.

Game two on Friday saw the Jets start more aggressively, but the Caps still were able to exert themselves early on. Brooks Laich got his first of the season at 12:10 into the first and Brouwer added a second four minutes later. The Caps never looked back going on to win 6-1.

Just a short week ago it was thought the Caps should be sellers at the approaching trade deadline. Now, they sit only five points behind Winnipeg for the top of the division and three points behind Carolina for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Selling at the deadline suddenly seems a bit premature.

The Caps were never going to have a fire sale anyway. The Caps just do not have enough assets they would be willing to part with. There is speculation surrounding Mike Ribeiro who is on the last year of his contract. I also think they could look to move Michal Neuvirth who has seemingly fallen out of favor with Adam Oates. Other than that, there is very little to sell.

The schedule itself also makes selling before the deadline premature. Including tonight’s game against the Rangers, the Caps have five games before the deadline. Only one of those games is against a team currently in playoff position, Carolina, who are dealing with injuries and have lost five straight.

The schedule allows for the Caps to make a strong run leading up to the trade deadline.

Of course, the Caps are not likely to be buyers either.

The inconsistencies they have shown thus far do not justify selling assets and draft picks for what ultimately remains a long shot postseason run. Should the Caps fail to make the playoffs, they will likely have a high draft pick. It makes no sense then to give those up.

Since it does not make sense to buy or sell then, I expect a quiet deadline for the Caps. Any possible run they make will depend on the roster they currently have. It will start tonight against the Rangers.