Rumor: Trade brewing between two Eastern Conference contenders!

The 2017-18 season keeps going and the Washington Capitals are still living the consequences of the offseason departures of Kevin Shattenkirk, Karl Alzner and Nate Schmidt. 

And now with Matt Niskanen on the sideline with an upper-body injury, their blueline depth is depleted. 

In his recent NHL.com mailbag segment, Dan Rosen mentioned that Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Andrej Sustr might be dealt to the Capitals. 

Sustr has an affordable contract at $1.95 million and is probably as affordable on the market. Seeing the Caps are already close to the $75 million cap ceiling for this season, this trade could work for them. 

"The Capitals probably wouldn't have to give up too much to get him either. The fact that he's a right-handed defenseman helps too. The righties in Washington are Carlson, Niskanen and Bowey. It could work," writes Rosen. 

The Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights also have some defensemen available on the market, where the Caps might be looking at as well. 

The Caps might however choose to ride this out until Niskanen returns to the lineup and consider a move closer to the Trade Deadline with a better playoff picture.