Capitals should not trade Tom Wilson under any circumstance

This would be a terrible move for the Caps if they even consider the idea of a Wilson trade. Outside of Alex Ovechkin for obvious reasons, Wilson is arguably the biggest player on the team who should be considered off-limits.

Wilson is only 29, and his mere presence alone makes him an integral piece for the Capitals. He's a well-known "enforcer" who protects his teammates and who opponents fear. If he's not on your team, you probably hate him — which is precisely why he's a fan favorite in Washington.

He can score, too. He's earned north of half a point per game in each of his last five seasons, and in 2021-22, his last fully healthy season, he tallied a career-high 24 goals. And despite his polarizing reputation, Wilson is a leader both on and off the ice. Many believe he'll be the team's next captain in a post-Ovechkin world.

If Washington is going to move a significant piece, underperforming Anthony Mantha is the most obvious one. It would also be understandable to give Evgeny Kuznetsov a fresh start elsewhere as he has reportedly been unhappy in D.C. 

Even longtime stalwarts John Carlson, T.J. Oshie, and Nicklas Backstrom — all of whom are in the twilight of their careers — could be worth entertaining offers.

But Wilson should not be traded under any circumstances. He's the heart and soul of the team, and he's the perfect player to bridge the gap as Washington tries to usher in a new, younger era in the coming years.