Washington Capitals: The Effect of Each Offseason Addition and Subtraction

The Washington Capitals have been adding to their roster this offseason, while subtracting from it at the same time. 

What good—or bad—will come from each of these moves? 

Here is a list of all the Capitals' offseason additions and subtractions and how they will affect the Washington Capitals. The list begins with the additions, and each entry includes an analysis of the predicted effect on the team. 

Note: All statistics courtesy of NHL.com unless noted otherwise. 

Addition: Tyson Strachan, D

The Capitals signed defenseman Tyson Strachan on July 8, as reported by TSN's Darren Dreger via Twitter: 

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Tyson Strachan signs 2 way contract with Capitals.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 8, 2013

 

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The 28-year-old Strachan has played 120 games in the NHL, starting with the St. Louis Blues in 2008-09. He joined the Florida Panthers in 2011-12, and his only two career playoff games were with Florida, that same year.

Last season with Florida, Strachan had no goals and four assists in 38 games, with a minus-13 rating and 40 penalty minutes. His three fighting majors were good for second on the team, according to HockeyFights.com. 

Capitals fans will remember Strachan best for his hit to the head of Jason Chimera on March 7, for which he was ejected but not suspended, according to Harvey Fialkov of The Sun Sentinel. Chimera made sure Strachan answered for the hit directly, though, when the two fought on April 6. 

HOW WILL THIS ADDITION AFFECT THE CAPITALS? 

Strachan is a veteran who will add physicality and depth. In the words of Mike Halford of NBC Sports Pro Hockey Talk, "with Washington, Strachan will likely battle for one of the final spots on the blueline." 

Addition: Joel Rechlicz, RW

Rechlicz Abandon has returned to Washington, as Joel Rechlicz signed with the Capitals on June 26, according to The Washington Times. 

The 26-year-old Wisconsin native has played a total of 26 NHL games, with one assist, a minus-13 rating and 105 penalty minutes.

However, he has compiled quite a dossier at HockeyFights.com. 

Rechlicz had a cup of coffee with the Capitals in 2011-12, playing only three games. He spent more minutes in the penalty box (10:00) than on the ice (6:00), according to Hockey-Reference.com. 

HOW WILL THIS ADDITION AFFECT THE CAPITALS? 

The Capitals 2013-14 depth chart is very deep at right wing, but if Rechlicz can crack the Capitals' lineup at any time, he will add some serious snarl to this team. 

Otherwise, the Hershey Bears will have gained some depth at goon. 

Subtraction: Jeff Schultz, D

The Capitals bought out the contract of Jeff Schultz on July 2, according to Katie Carrera of The Washington Post. He has since signed with the Los Angeles Kings, according to the team's website. 

Schultz had played his entire seven-year career with Washington, highlighted by the 2009-10 season in which he led the NHL in plus/minus rating at plus-50. 

However, the 2012-13 season was the worst of Schultz's career. He only played in 26 of 48 games, or 54 percent. This was the lowest such percentage since Schultz's rookie season, when he played in 46 percent of the team's games. Plus, Schultz's absences were due to healthy scratches, not injuries. 

Furthermore, Schultz posted the lowest average time on ice of his career, according to Hockey-Reference.com. 

HOW WILL THIS SUBTRACTION AFFECT THE CAPITALS? 

The Capitals lose a warm body on the blue line. 

More importantly, the departure of Schultz provides an opportunity for young defensemen such as Tomas Kundratek or Dmitry Orlov to gain valuable experience in the NHL, with the hope of gaining a permanent place in the lineup. 

Subtraction: Mike Ribeiro, C

Mike Ribeiro was signed by the Phoenix Coyotes on July 5 to a four-year deal worth $22 million, according to Adam Gretz of CBSSports.com. 

Ribeiro was outstanding for the Capitals in 2012-13 after being acquired in a trade with the Dallas Stars last offseason. 

The 33-year-old scored 13 goals with 36 assists for 49 points in 48 games, with a minus-four rating and 53 penalty minutes. 

Ribeiro was fifth in the NHL in assists and first in power-play assists, with 21. 

HOW WILL THIS SUBTRACTION AFFECT THE CAPITALS? 

The Caps will once again be searching for a second-line center. At the same time, Washington will struggle to duplicate their productivity on their power play. 

On the plus side, the Capitals are losing a second-line center who is prone to misconduct penalties, and is as skilled at winning faceoffs as he is at keeping his wife off Twitter. 

Subtraction: Matt Hendricks, LW

The popular Matt Hendricks signed with the Nashville Predators on July 5 for $7.4 million over the course of four years, according to the team's website. 

In 2012-13, Hendricks scored scored five goals with three assists for eight points in 48 games, with a minus-six rating and 73 penalty minutes. 

Among Capitals forwards, Hendricks ranked third in hits, second in blocked shots, second in short-handed time on ice and first in faceoff win percentage (minimum 200 faceoffs).  

The Minnesota native also led the team in fighting majors, according to HockeyFights.com. Hendricks would fight whoever the team needed him to fight even if he was outsized, which happens a lot when you're 6' 0", 211 pounds. 

HOW WILL THIS SUBTRACTION AFFECT THE CAPITALS? 

Severely, that's how. 

Matt Hendricks excels at tasks that are vital to the survival of any hockey team. No one else on the Capitals' current roster does them better than he does. 

He will be missed.