The Washington Capitals don't plan on emulating the 2014-15 Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline.
When John Carlson was placed on long-term injured reserve Sunday, it fueled speculation that he could be shut down for the remainder of the regular season, which would provide Washington with a significant amount of additional cap space ahead of Monday's deadline.
Head coach Barry Trotz squashed the notion, confirming the Capitals don't intend on doing what the Blackhawks did last season when they shut down Patrick Kane until the playoffs in order to acquire Antoine Vermette under the salary cap.
Trotz said Carlson will get "at least a dozen" games before playoffs. "Maybe more."
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 28, 2016
With the expectation that Carlson will be back well before the postseason, his cap hit would return, making it clear the Capitals don't plan on adding any significant contracts - which would force them to clear nearly $4 million in cap space once Carlson returns to the lineup - via trade.
Essentially, Trotz implied the Caps wouldn't do what Chicago did with Patrick Kane last year and shut Carlson down until playoffs.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 28, 2016
Earlier in the week, Trotz said "nothing crazy" is expected out of the Capitals, and it appears as though they're staying the course with just over 24 hours left before Monday's deadline.
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