Washington Capitals should consider Eeli Tolvanen as a free agent – The Hockey Writers –

The Washington Capitals started the offseason with a big trade, sending goaltender Darcy Kuemper to the Los Angeles Kings and receiving forward Pierre-Luc Dubois in return. As a team that didn’t produce enough offense last season, Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan and his staff are looking for ways to increase their scoring numbers. One player they could have interest in during the 2024 free agency period is winger Eeli Tolvanen, who spent the 2023-24 season with the Seattle Kraken.

In 81 games last season with the Kraken, Tolvanen finished with 16 goals and 25 assists for 41 points. This was good enough to rank fifth in Seattle’s points total for the campaign. Only Jared McCann (62 points), Oliver Bjorkstrand (59), Vince Dunn (46) and Jordan Eberle (44) had more points. There are several reasons why the Capitals should consider bringing him in. Connecting several factors, this seems like a signing that would check some important boxes.

by Tolvanen Versatility on the wing

Tolvanen can play on both sides of the wing. If Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery needs him to play left wing, he’s comfortable being on that side. If Carbery prefers him on the right wing, he can also play on the right side. Having that flexibility to move him to one side or the other is beneficial if someone gets injured or if they become a player used on the power play or penalty kill. The Capitals already have a number of players on the roster who can be moved to different positions. Aliaksei Protas, for example, can play on either wing or center. Sonny Milano, like Tolvanen, can also play on both wings. Having players who can be moved around like that is valuable. He would be another player that Carbery could mix in and see which teammates can match up with him and get the most out of his game.

by Tolvanen The contract might not be expensive

Tolvanen just signed a contract worth $1.45 million per season. The Capitals could give him a contract worth around $2.5-3 million per season. If he wants more, MacLellan and his team can work with him and his agent to make it happen. $3 million per season is something I would consider offering him.

Related: 10 NHL Free Agents Who Could Be Bargains in 2024

As for the length of the mandate, Washington could perhaps offer him a four or five year contract. This would benefit Tolvanen because if he becomes a future star in his prime, he will be able to ask for more money on his next contract. This is another incentive for him to consider signing. Of course, speaking of incentives, MacLellan could probably also add financial measures to further convince Tolvanen. I honestly think that if the Capitals really want Tolvanen, they might not have a hard time landing him. Perhaps the biggest problem is how many other teams want to bid for his services.

Tolvanen Produces solid numbers

Finishing his sixth NHL campaign, Tolvanen has currently played 264 games between the Kraken and the Nashville Predators. The Predators selected Tolvanen with the 30^th 2017 NHL Draft pick. He made his NHL debut with Nashville for three games in 2017-18, remaining useless during that time. After spending a few seasons in the Predators system that saw him play for Nashville as well as their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, Tolvanen was placed on waivers during the 2022 season -23.

The Kraken claimed him and he played the remainder of the campaign with Seattle. His offensive production improved with the change of scenery. He finished the 2022-23 campaign with 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points in 48 games. He also had another solid campaign with the Kraken in 2023-24, finishing with the previously mentioned 41 points. I think if he came to the Capitals he might be able to put up even more numbers as an offensive threat for them. Being able to play with teammates like Alex Ovechkin, Dubois, John Carlson, Dylan Strome and Milano, among others, could do wonders for his point total.

Tolvanen recorded the following statistics during his time in the NHL:

• 2017-18 (Predators): Zero points in three games
• 2018-19 (Predators): A goal and an assist for two points in four games
• 2020-21 (Predators): 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 40 games
• 2021-22 (Predators): 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 75 games
• 2022-23 (Predators): Two goals and two assists for four points in 13 games
• 2022-23 (Kraken): 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points in 48 games
• 2023-24 (Kraken): 16 goals and 25 assists for 41 points in 81 games

Additionally, Tolvanen also played three playoffs. He played for Nashville in their 2021 and 2022 playoff runs, while playing for Seattle in their 2023 run. During those runs, he posted the following stats:

• 2021 Playoffs (Predators): Zero points in four games
• 2022 Playoffs (Predators): One goal in three games
• 2023 Playoffs (Kraken): Three goals and five assists for eight points in 14 games

Tolvanen can be a big producer in the postseason, as he showed during the 2023 run with Seattle. He just needs to have the right fit, and the Capitals could potentially be that team.

Looking at where Tolvanen would stand statistically on this season’s Capitals team in the regular season, his 41 points would put him fourth. Strome led with 67 points, followed by Ovechkin with 65 and Carlson with 52. Tolvanen would be next with 41, then behind him in fifth would be Wilson with 35. Tolvanen would be a good option for the Capitals. as an offensive weapon and without having to break the bank.

Many years to come

Tolvanen just turned 25 on April 22. He has many seasons left in the NHL and may not even have had his best seasons of his young career yet. Being able to land a talented young player capable of putting up good offensive numbers would be a big win for MacLellan and the Caps, as he could land a big contract and become a key member of the franchise’s next era. As it stands, the players on long-term rosters with the organization are Rasmus Sandin, Tom Wilson and Dubois. If Washington wants Tolvanen to be another part of the post-Ovechkin era, it can make it happen. He should be in the conversation for MacLellan and his leadership group once free agency begins July 1.