Rumors about the trading deadline in the NHL: the capitals mysteriously grant a derogation to DeVante Smith-Pelly; Red Wings weighing options

The playoffs this season represent a daunting challenge for the Eastern Conference and the Washington Capitals should face each other face to face. While most of the attention is drawn to the Atlantic Division, the Capitals are at the heart of the metropolis as they face the New York Islanders, all teams combined.

The defending Stanley Cup champions do not seem to rest on their laurels, as they seem to be preparing for a timely move. With the deadline set for Monday, some other teams appear active, including the Red Wings and Kings, while the reconstruction teams are looking to discharge some of their contracts expiring.

Capitals place Devante Smith-Pelly in derogation

The aforementioned capitals seek to remain competitive against the Lighting and the Maple Leafs, not to mention the Bruins who appear to be extremely active by the deadline of this year. They would have placed DeVante Smith-Pelly on waivers Wednesday, by Elliotte FriedmanThis means that once he clears them or is picked up by a team on Thursday, the Capitals can announce a move.

Smith-Pelly – the Stanley Cup hero of last year – has not produced much this season. He has 13 goals just under two seasons with the Capitals, but his seven goals in last year's playoffs were an integral part of the Capitals' miraculous run.

The Los Angeles Kings could be the commercial partner of capitals

The Kings have more control over their composition than almost any hockey team, but they have a solid player who could be an unrestricted free agent next season. Winger Carl Hagelin may well be Smith-Pelly's replacement. Bob McKenzie, of TSN, speculated on the fact that the exchange would probably be with the Kings, but it is far from being etched in stone. We probably will not know until Thursday, when the Smith-Pelly waiver status will be confirmed in one way or another.

There is a lot of speculation about the possibility of this agreement being with LAK, perhaps for a veteran of depth F. Many possibilities: Carl Hagelin is UFA at the end of the season but has a ceiling of 3.5 M $. Trevor Lewis and Kyle Clifford each have one year after this season, Lewis at $ 2 million and Clifford at $ 1.6 million.

– Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 20, 2019

Red Wings continue to spark interest in Gustav Nyquist, Nick Jensen

Gustav Nyquist and Nick Jensen of the Red Wings are two possible players. Nyquist is a second-rate expiring winger at that time and some dominoes have to fall out of Detroit. According to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, Nyquist will likely start interest in the falling dominos of Mark Stone and Artemi Panarin. The Wings can also sign Nyquist again if they do not move it by this year's deadline at Mike Green.

Nick Jensen is in a similar situation. The Red Wings want to sign it again, but if that also proves impossible, he could move on the deadline. TSN's Bob McKenzie said Jensen got a lot of attention in the league, but the Wings would like to keep the third-year defenseman to the extent possible.