Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Analyzing Organizational Trades in the Ovechkin Era - Part One

October 28, 2020, 7:07 PM ET [0 Comments]
Brian Sickles
Washington Capitals Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Hello All,

I was just digging around the internet today and I thought it would be kind of cool to look at some notable trades the Capitals have made during the Ovechkin Era (2005-2020). The Capitals have won their division in 10 of the last 13 seasons. In the other three seasons where they didn’t win the division during that span, the Capitals were 2nd place twice and 5th place once. During that stretch, they won the President’s Trophy three times. The Capitals have been buyers at the trade deadline practically every year during the Ovechkin Era. Here are some notable trades of the past that in some way or form have lead to where the organization sits today. FYI this will be a two or three part post mostly in chronological order.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 24th, 2011 (2011 NHL DRAFT)

Washington Capitals Acquire:
-Troy Brouwer

Chicago Blackhawks Acquire:
-2011 1st round pick (WSH - #26 - Phillip Danault)

*Today's first example of Washington going “all-in” and trading top-tier draft capital in the early 2010’s. This trade was a couple years removed from when the Capitals won the President's trophy and lost in the first round. The team was still elite and George McPhee really wanted to go for the Cup, as did all Caps fans. Brouwer was good but he wasnt great. He was brought in to play opposite of Ovechkin on the first line. He was one of many they tried at first-line RW. Philip Danault (now on Montreal) has actually played pretty well in recent years. He has produced 40, 25, 53, and 47 points in his last four years with Montreal. I am not saying the Capitals would have drafted him but it’s always interesting to note

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 1st, 2011 (OFFSEASON)

Washington Capitals Acquire:
- 2012 1st round pick (COL - #11 - Filip Forsberg)
- 2012 2nd round pick (BOS - #54 - Mike Winther)

Colorado Avalanche Acquire:
- Semyon Varlamov

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 22nd 2012 (2012 NHL DRAFT)

Washington Capitals Acquire:
-Mike Ribeiro - $4.1 million AAV

Dallas Stars Acquire:
- 2012 2nd round pick (BOS - #54 - Mike Winther)
- Cody Eakin
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 3rd, 2013 (NHL TRADE DEADLINE)

Washington Capitals Acquire:

-Martin Erat - $4.5 million AAV
-Michael Latta

Nashville Predators Acquire:
-Filip Forsberg -$925k AAV

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


*In the 2011 offseason, the Capitals had a crowded cast of goaltenders with Michael Neuvirth, Semyon Varlamov, and rising star Braden Holtby. The Caps were able to flip Varlamov for a first and second rounder. The Caps end up using the first rounder on Filip Forsberg. Over time, Forsberg ends up being one the Capitals top prospects in the farm system. During the same draft where Forsberg was drafted, the Capitals sent Cody Eakin and acquired 2nd rounder from COL for Mike Ribeiro. Flipping Varlamov for two picks was a great move. Shipping out Cody Eakin and 2nd rounder for Mike Ribeiro was okay at the time. While Ribeiro did score 49 points in 48 games for the Caps, he was a free agent at the end of the season and chose not to re-sign with the Caps. In 2013, the Caps did the unthinkable and shipped out Forsberg to Nashville for aging Veteran Martin Erat. I wont even dive into that again but that is easily one of the worst trades in franchise history. All these moves eventually resulted in another first round playoff loss after leading the NYR 2-0 in the series.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 30th, 2013

Washington Capitals Acquire:

- 2013 2nd round pick (CHI - #61 - Zachary Sanford)

Winnipeg Jets Acquire:
-2013 3rd round pick (WSH - #84 - James Lodge)
-2013 4th round pick (WSH - #114 - Jan Kostalek)
-2013 5th round pick (CGY - #127 - Tucker Poolman)

*Three draft picks to trade up in the second round? Sheesh. Four years later the Capitals flipped Sanford and a first & second round pick for Kevin Shattenkirk and Pheonix Copley. Shattenkirk would only play 19 games for Washington and the team suffered another early playoff loss after winning the Presidents Trophy. Copley currently sits third on the goaltending depth chart with a $1.1 million AAV cap hit.

Next post we will look at some of the trades for players like Halak, Glencross, Oshie, and more.

Thanks for reading
Join the Discussion: » 0 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Brian Sickles
» Ovechkin Breaks Gordie Howe's Record for Most Goals with One Team
» WSH 1, DET 3 - Ovechkin Ties Howe in Detroit
» WSH 0, DAL 2 - Caps Blanked by Oettinger and Stars
» WSH 6, NJD 3 - Washington Capitalizes on Blackwood's Off Night
» WSH 4, LAK 3 - Caps Mount Another Third Period Comeback