I'd like to add that while this would be a tough situation for any player, it's especially difficult for a player like CMM. He doesn't have stand out skills that he can maximize in 4-5 shifts a game. He doesn't skate particularly fast, doesn't hit people, doesn't have a lethal shot. He is a balanced player who sees the ice well, can pass, can shoot.
It's an interesting situation because Caps really need a ~2nd line center of that description. All in all, none of this matters within the current system. Laviolette isn't going to play him, organization doesn't want to trade him. All other options are some kind of crappy.