Dan Rosen of NHL.com answers questions from the fans...

Do you think the Capitals finally have the team around Alex Ovechkin to make them contend for the Cup?

The answer is yes, I do think the Capitals have the team around Ovechkin to contend for the Stanley Cup this season. I like the coaching philosophy, the style of play, the commitment from the players, the depth up front, the consistency that you have to expect from the defense corps, and the elite goaltending they should again receive from Braden Holtby. I like all the ingredients in Washington now.

The Islanders were able to get Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk before the start of last season. Who gets dealt for cap purposes before the start of this season?

Leddy and Boychuk fell into the Islanders' laps last season because Snow was patient, smart and shrewd. He had the cap space and realized the problems of the Chicago Blackhawks (Leddy) and Boston Bruins (Boychuk), understood their needs, and made it happen. He should have been nominated for the General Manager of the Year Award off those two trades alone.

As for this season, it wouldn't shock me if the New York Rangers traded a defenseman, possibly Kevin Klein ($2.9 million AAV). They have Raphael Diaz, and Dylan McIlrath either has to make the team or be subject to waivers on a return to Hartford of the American Hockey League. I don't think he'd clear waivers. Maybe he gets traded. That definitely wouldn't shock me.

The Detroit Red Wings could also be thinking about trading a defenseman, most likely Kyle Quincey ($4.25 million AAV). They've got seven NHL defensemen along with several young blue-liners that played under coach Jeff Blashill in Grand Rapids of the AHL, including Alexey Marchenko, Nick Jensen, Xavier Ouellet and Brian Lashoff. Trading Quincey would clear some space, give GM Ken Holland some flexibility, and allow for a younger defenseman or two to make the team out of camp.

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