Capitals Trade Rumors: Nic Dowd and Anthony Mantha Linked To Canadian Team

“The priority for us is the future of our organization.” Those were the words of Washington Capitals GM Brian MacLellan today when asked about Friday’s trade deadline. And with several players on the trade block, you can expect some fireworks out of DC by this coming Friday at 3pm Eastern.

Two of the top trade targets on the market as we head down the stretch this week are Caps center Nic Dowd and forward Anthony Mantha. And according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, both players are on the Edmonton Oilers' radar—to a point.

I do think they're looking at Dowd. I think he’s someone they've considered... The one thing about Mantha is that I’ve gotten the impression that there’s a limit to what the Oilers are willing to do for Mantha. We’ll see. At this time of the year, you have to be so careful. What’s the price you’re willing to pay?

Oilers GM Ken Holland is quite familiar with Mantha, having drafted him with the 20th overall pick in 2013 for the Detroit Red Wings. And the Oilers are looking for a goal-scoring winger for their top-six.

Mantha is having a nice bounce-back season, to be sure, with 19 goals in 55 games, his best production in five years—all in 14 minutes of ice time per night. But he is a rental, as an impending unrestricted free agent, carrying a $5.7 million cap hit. With limited cap space, that would mean someone heading out the door for the Oilers to make room. 

Defenseman Brett Kulak and his $2.75 million is one name that's been thrown around, but the Capitals would surely want one of the Oilers' youngsters, such as Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, Raphael Lavoie or Xavier Bourgault. In the case of at least a couple of those names, it seems highly unlikely. 

Washington was also said to be looking for a first-round pick in return for Dowd, as centres are at a premium on this year's trade market.

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