Is Ovechkin retiring? Is Holtby leaving via free agency?
This is their year. The rest of the East is down...that won't last. Ovi isn't getting any younger. Not winning it this year will be a huge blow...kind of like what the Nats sufferred in 2012...and that still plagues them today.
The Caps have it all going on right now...with role players playing well. Others are having career years. We're not likely to keep all of them...we never do. Losing out last year was a blessing in disguise. Doing it again will be crippling.
Caught your edit on Kane...I think he's straightened himself out enough to stay out of prison. If not because he wants to...because he has to.