The Washington Capitals are set to part ways with another promising young forward, as Brett Connolly is expected to sign a four-year deal with the Florida Panthers, according to multiple reports.
Connolly, 26, spent the past three seasons with the Capitals, winning a Stanley Cup in 2018 in the process. He is coming off a career-year in 2018-19 in which he posted 46 points with 22 goals and 24 assists.
However, the Capitals didn’t have much salary cap space entering the summer. Washington had already prepared for Connolly’s departure before the NHL Draft as his market rose.
Brett Connolly joins Andre Burakovsky and potentially Devante Smith-Pelly as three forwards that contributed to the Capitals’ first-ever Stanley Cup a year ago and yet be gone from the organization this off-season.
The Capitals are still hoping to sign Jakub Vrana, who presents more upside than Connolly and Burakovsky despite all three being promising 20-goal scoring forwards.
Washington also has its sights set on Chandler Stephenson as well as defenseman Christian Djoos as they comb the market.
