In a recent interview with Tarik El-Bashir of The Athletic, Capitals General Manager said that the team would like to add a top-six forward to their roster and has been discussions with teams since the NHL Entry Draft in June.
So far this summer, MacLellan has added six-time 30+ goal scorer Max Pacioretty, who's coming off a second torn Achilles in 12 months and Matthew Phillips through free agency. They also acquired Stanley Cup champion defenceman Joel Edmundson in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on July 1st.
If the Capitals decide to go down the free agent route, there are still a handful of prominent names that can play in a top-six role including Patrick Kane, Tomas Tatar. But they make any addition, MacLellan will need to clear cap space and one way that may be possible is by moving forward Anthony Mantha, who is reportedly available.