After another early playoff exit, the Washington Capitals may need to seriously consider reworking their roster this offseason.
It appears the Capitals have reverted to their familiar postseason struggles. Since winning their first Stanley Cup in 2018, they’ve failed to advance past the second round in each of their last six playoff runs.
On Thursday, Washington was knocked out by the Carolina Hurricanes with a 3-1 loss in Game 5 of the second round. It was a disappointing outcome for the Eastern Conference’s top seed, especially after the team overhauled its roster in hopes of both chasing another championship and helping Alex Ovechkin pursue Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record.
4 players that may not return to Washington after Capitals second round exit
Most of the players Washington added made their mark during the regular season, but a few may have played their final game in a Capitals uniform.
Anthony Beauvillier – Right Wing
The 27-year-old proved to be a solid trade deadline pickup — especially coming from rival Pittsburgh — and brought valuable depth to the lineup. Still, he managed just five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in 18 regular-season games with Washington, along with two goals in the playoffs.
General manager Chris Patrick might consider re-signing the pending free agent winger to see what he can offer over a full season. On the other hand, he could explore more affordable options in free agency and use the opportunity to give rookie Ryan Leonard more ice time on a higher line to aid his development.
Lars Eller – Center
The man who famously sealed the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup win with his third-period, Game 5 goal against Vegas, Lars Eller found his way back to Washington — again by way of Pittsburgh — after bouncing around several teams in recent years.
Now 36, the veteran Danish center could be nearing the end of his career. He was a healthy scratch for Game 5, a decision by head coach Spencer Carbery that suggests his recent play hasn’t met expectations. Eller’s 20 points this season marked his lowest total since 2022-23, and it’s clear his influence on the ice isn’t what it once was.
Andrew Mangiapane – Left Wing
The 29-year-old was acquired in an offseason trade with the Calgary Flames and added valuable offensive depth, finishing with 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists). However, that marked his lowest production since the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, Mangiapane could draw enough interest on the open market to price Washington out—especially considering the uncertainty of his future impact. At 29, he may be entering the decline phase of his career, making him a high-risk, moderate-reward option if general manager Chris Patrick chooses to bring him back.
Taylor Raddysh – Right Wing
At 27, Raddysh was never expected to be a major offensive contributor for the Capitals, but he served as a steady veteran presence who rarely made costly mistakes. Still, he ended up as a healthy scratch several times late in the season to allow rookie Ryan Leonard to gain valuable experience.
Given that he became the odd man out, there doesn’t appear to be a strong case for re-signing the pending free agent. With several prospects in the pipeline, Washington may prefer to give those younger players similar opportunities, meaning Raddysh could be continuing his journeyman path with another team next season.
LTIR Baggage (3 players)
In addition to the players who saw game action this season but may not return for 2025-26, there are several who never suited up at all.
Forwards Sonny Milano, T.J. Oshie, and Nicklas Backstrom all spent the entire 2024-25 campaign on long-term injured reserve. Oshie and Backstrom—two long-time Capitals and fan favorites—are set to see their contracts expire this summer, likely bringing an end to their NHL careers. Both have been battling chronic injuries that have kept them sidelined for extended stretches over recent seasons.
Milano, meanwhile, struggled with a lingering injury that never fully healed. Even before that, he was frequently a healthy scratch, suggesting he had already begun to fall out of favor with the coaching staff. It’s likely all three will officially part ways with the organization.
Washington’s roster already looked quite different entering this past season compared to the previous five or six years, and with Alex Ovechkin heading into the final year of his contract, more changes could be on the horizon.
