Report: Capitals ‘Open For Business’ Entering Trade Deadline; Jensen & Eller Interest

With the trade deadline days away, the Washington Capitals have reportedly made the rest of the league aware of their approach, and it looks like almost anything goes.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shared in his new episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast that general manager Brian MacLellan sent an email about his pending unrestricted free agents and let all other 31 teams know that there's a lot for sale.

"He's open for business, and teams know he means it, and they're all calling him," Friedman said.

MacLellan has also been negotiating with his UFAs, asking them what they want going into the future. He mentioned that the Dmitry Orlov trade arose out of a deal becoming "impossible" between both sides, and now there's discussion around the other defensemen, including Nick Jensen, who the team is still trying to sign but at the same time, is garnering a lot of attention from other clubs.

"Jensen, there's quite a few teams with interest," Friedman said, citing the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators as two of the suitors. "So I think what MacLellan is doing right now — the decision was made on Orlov, and now I think he's making a decision: is there a deal to be made here or am i moving on?"

In addition to Jensen, defensemen Erik Gustafsson, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Matt Irwin and Dylan McIlrath, along with forwards Lars Eller, Conor Sheary, Marcus Johansson and Nicolas Aube-Kubel, are all set to hit free agency. Martin Fehervary and Alex Alexeyev are RFAs.

The Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils also had reported interest in Eller.

READ MORE ON WHN: Lars Eller Opens Up About Possibility Of Being Traded After Years With Washington Capitals

Friedman also added that the team is considering big-name defenseman Jakob Chychrun to come in and help the team, but that it will be costly to pull off and will take a lot of future assets, with examples being Connor McMichael and Hendrix Lapierre. MacLellan is apparently weighing the pros and cons of potentially dealing players like that away for  Chychrun or keeping those players in the system.

"They're weighing that too. 'Do we trade most of our assets for one player?' That's something they are considering," Friedman said, adding, "It's not only considering Chychrun, it's considering is that the best [plan]."