Capitals inching closer on Ivan Miroshnichenko trade

David Pagnotta reports the Capitals are inching closer to a trade involving Ivan Miroshnichenko, with several teams still in the mix.

That's a shift in tone. Washington's asking price has been the story for days, and it has been the main obstacle to a deal.

Pagnotta noted that multiple teams are still going after the 22-year-old winger, and that the price tag is a first-round pick plus. He added that the value may not necessarily be an actual first-round pick.

-

Read that last part carefully. It suggests Washington has some room to move on the form of the return, even if the overall value stays high.

When we first looked at this, Ivan Miroshnichenko's stalled trade talks were all about a lack of obvious fits. Competition from several teams is a different problem for Washington, and a better one to have.

For a team that sits at 10-6-0 and has won two straight, there is no desperation here. The Capitals beat Ottawa 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday, and coach Spencer Carbery isn't dealing with a team in free fall.

Is a first-round pick realistic for Miroshnichenko?

Is a first-round pick realistic for Miroshnichenko?

Not at face value, and the post seems to concede as much. Miroshnichenko was the 20th overall pick in 2022, but he has 14 points in 55 career games, with six goals.

This season he has one goal in three games, a power-play goal. That's a tiny sample, and it doesn't move the needle for a buyer.

The pitch to other teams is potential and a cheap deal. His cap hit is under $1 million through 2027-28, and he is an RFA at expiry, so a buyer gets control beyond this season.

Still, paying first-round value for a player who has yet to establish himself in the NHL is a risky bet. A prospect-heavy package or a mid-round pick with a conditional attached makes far more sense, and that's likely where general manager Chris Patrick lands if the market stays this crowded.

Our report on Washington's demand for Ivan Miroshnichenko on Wednesday warned that talks could collapse over the price. Pagnotta's latest suggests the opposite may be happening.

No team has been named as the frontrunner, and nothing is done. The Capitals visit New Jersey on Thursday, and any deal could land at any moment.

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.

Also read on Markerzone.com:
25-year-old forward placed on waivers for purpose of contract termination by the Vancouver Canucks