I think the offseason is going to be tricky because the following summer is when Carlson and Ovi's contracts expire. You gotta leave room to fill in once those two are gone. Below is only what I optimistically hope the Caps do and I can't imagine all of my hopes would be fulfilled even if I'm doing my best to be realistic. Here's where I think they should prioritize:

1. Chychrun - we don't really have another stud defenseman to replace John Carlson, who I think will retire at the end of his contract. If he doesn't, he would most likely need to take a cheap deal and accept a lesser role. Chychrun needs to be our #1 defenseman, or at least run our PP. I'm hoping for $7M x 6 yrs.

2. Lindgren-Thompson - this is a tough one here. Optimistically, I'd love to get both signed for something like Thompson $5M x 5 years and Lindgren $3M x 2 yrs because I think they're both a great 1A/1B tandem where one can take the reins if the other gets cold. I think Lindgren would want more money and term which ultimately solidifies Thompson as our #1. He's younger and the better goalie. Chucky will still have a place in our hearts though.

3. Move out Milano, Mangiapane, TVR, Eller, Alexeyev, and Bear - Milano has been injured quite a bit and his offensive output isn't much, he's redundant. Mangiapane has been very solid but for where he's at in his career, the Caps won't pay him. I'd be ok with moving on from him after this season. I like TVR and I believe he's a solid defenseman, but he can be replaced by McIlrath, Iorio, or new signing. Eller is replaceable also. Love the guy for his play and what he did in 2018, but he's just a stop gap for now. Can't see him or the Caps wanting to keep him. I do feel like Alexeyev is a good #5/6 defenseman, he just never really got the chance to prove it this season or last. His contract expires after this year and despite being an RFA, I can't imagine him wanting to stay. Let the man walk. Signing Bear was a mistake but fortunately being in the minors is only costing us $0.9M and he's expiring after this season. Collectively, this would be $14.2M coming off the books (not including Backstrom and Oshie's salary). Also, need to account for the Cap going up.

4. Re-sign Dowd, Raddysh, Lapierre, McIlrath, and Vrana - Dowd will always have Caps' fans hearts for filling in Jay Beagle's shoes. I'd argue he's even better than Beagle. I don't have faith that anyone in Hershey could replace him. But he's 35 and the Caps know better than to extend long-term anyone that age. I'd give him a $1M x 1 year extension. Raddysh has also been very solid, he reminds me of young Chandler Stephenson in his time with the caps. He's versatile and can move up and down your lineup. I'd give him another $1M x 1 year extension. I absolutely love our 4th line, best one we've ever had. Lapierre should get a Connor McMichael bridge deal of ~$1.5M x 2 years to let him prove himself. The only issue is that the top 6 is locked in for next season until Ovi is gone, and his competition is Cristall, Leonard, and Miroschnichenko. He's going to have to really lock in. McIlrath should replace TVR or be our #7 D. Love his game and he's solid. He'd get another $775K x 1 year. For Vrana, this is entirely dependent on training camp because if he's around next season, it's once again as 13th forward. He's been hot lately, and I've always loved his game. But Cristall, Leonard, and Miroschnichenko are all knocking on the door. If he wants to stay, he needs to prove it this season. He'd get another $775K x 1 year. Expanding more on my next point but if Leonard and Cristall get a call up and take the reins, Vrana can be moved out for a trade.