MacLellan On Capitals’ Trade Deadline Plans, ‘Little Things Going On’ With Ovechkin & Oshie

The Washington Capitals have not had it easy this season. It's been a year of ups and downs, with the team not only dealing with some inconsistency but a myriad of injuries across the board. Taking that into account, it'll be an interesting trade deadline as March 3 approaches.

General manager Brian MacLellan joined John Walton and Ben Raby on Caps This Morning to share some insight on the team and potential trade deadline plans. And right now, the plan is patience.

“I think we have to play it out here a little bit," MacLellan said on the podcast, adding, "We're an LTI team now; we have to prepare to bring guys back if we choose to do that. We'll make decisions at the last possible moment."

GMBM also discussed some of the injuries on the roster. John Carlson is out long-term following a slap shot to the face, along with Connor Brown and Carl Hagelin. And now, Nic Dowd is out "for a bit" while Tom Wilson is again dealing with a lower-body injury (though he's only day-to-day). But in addition to them, MacLellan hinted that Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie may also be dealing with things behind the scenes. There have also been rumors and speculation about Anthony Mantha and Lars Eller being on the block.

"Health is the major concern for us. Howe Carlson's progressing, we got little things going on with Oshie and Ovi," he added.

Oshie recently revealed in an interview with The Washington Post that he's been dealing with back issues, while Ovechkin recently sat out his first game of the season due to an undisclosed lower-body injury. Head coach Peter Laviolette said on Thursday, though, that the 37-year-old captain is working hard.

In the end, MacLellan called the ongoing injury situation "chaotic" and also praised Laviolette for keeping the team afloat amid the health struggles.

“He’s been good, he’s been great to deal with," MacLellan said. Being an experienced coach and his personality, his maturity, he’s handled whatever’s come our way… We’re looking forward to having everybody healthy.”