Photo: @LAKingsInsider

The Washington Capitals are “close” to acquiring forward Carl Hagelin from the Los Angeles Kings, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Freidman.

“I do. I believe so. I believe they’re working on a deal possibly involving Carl Hagelin from the L.A. Kings,” said Friedman on NHL Network on Wednesday. “He seems to be the name that we’re hearing a lot of right now. Obviously, that can’t happen until things get done tomorrow in terms of does Smith-Pelly clear waivers or what the Capitals have to do to make part of it.”

“But there’s a lot of smoke around a Capitals-Kings deal, and Hagelin is the name I’m hearing the most. He’s obviously a guy who’s had a lot of success in the Eastern Conference as a member of the Rangers and a Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins.”

Hagelin, 30, was acquired in a trade that sent forward Tanner Pearson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in November. He carries a cap hit of $3.75 million and can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

In 38 games with the Penguins and Kings this season, Hagelin has only two goals, eight points, and an even rating, including only one goal, five points, and a -2 rating in 22 games with the Kings.

In 526 career games with the Kings, Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, and New York Rangers, he has 90 goals, 230 points, and a +83 rating.

His team has played the Capitals in every postseason that Washington has made the playoffs since he entered the league in 2011-12. He was on both of the Penguins teams that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. In addition, he has been to the Conference Final a combined five times with the Rangers and Penguins.

In 121 career playoff games, Hagelin has 22 goals, 47 points, and a +7 rating, including six goals, 16 points, and a +9 rating in 24 playoff games while on the “HBK Line” with forward Phil Kessel and center Nick Bonino during the Stanley Cup run in 2016.

Hagelin adds speed and another strong penalty killer that could help the Capitals as they are currently 22nd in the NHL with an efficiency of 78.4% and look to make another deep playoff run.

By Harrison Brown