Failed to trade Marc-Andre Fleury despite dangling picks and salary retention, which results in a very good but very expensive tandem ($12 million). Hate it: Sold Nate Schmidt at pennies on the dollar. Robin Lehner finally landing a deal with term. Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore could be Canada’s top pairing at the 2022 Olympics. Love it: The nerve of owner Bill Foley to shoot for the stars - and hit. Seeing youngsters like Chandler Stephenson and Andre Burakovsky hit their stride in other markets. Alex Ovechkin still unsigned for 2021-22. Rumours that Capitals didn’t take bubble playoffs seriously enough. Right-shot defenceman Trevor van Riemsdyk sliding in for $800,000. Re-upping Brenden Dillon for less than $4 million per season. Giving Henrik Lundqvist the perfect landing spot at the perfect cap hit ($1.5 million).

No-nonsense veteran coach Peter Laviolette stepping to the plate. Love it: Hendrix Lapierre at 22nd overall could be steal of the draft. Wondering if there is enough offence here to get the job done. Hate it: So many names floated in trade rumours without actually moving. Brad Treliving’s double trade-down on the draft “floor.” Louis Domingue ($700,000) as an inexpensive third-string netminder.

Chris Tanev’s injection of heart, soul and defence. Love it: Securing the best available goalie on the market, Jacob Markstrom, and giving the franchise its first long-term bona fide No. Key RFAs Sam Reinhart, Victor Olofsson and Linus Ullmark still unsigned. Hate it: Goaltending has not been upgraded. Brandon Montour (one year, $3.85 million) needing to prove it. Coach Ralph Krueger becoming a selling point in Buffalo. Cody Eakin one of the better under-the-radar UFA signings. Taylor Hall should boost Jack Eichel’s mood. Love it: Eric Staal trade is a clear win in our books.

Hate it or love it 50