J.J. Regan of NBC Sports Washington (mailbag): Assessing what may be the Washington Capitals’ biggest need is the most essential thing of their trade deadline. Some argue that need is little or no. That may be true. On the other hand, defense seems to be a bigger priority than the power play, etc. A right-handed defenseman remains high on their list. Brian MacLellan has traded for a defenseman every year of his reign so far. Expect little deviation there.
Pending UFA defensemen are far and few between because almost every team thinks they are still in it.