WASHINGTON - With almost two weeks in the books for the Capitals under new management, the city has bid farewell to several skilled veterans in exchange for youth and draft picks.
With his regime only 2 days old, Washington Capitals GM Tom Poraszka completed his first trade moving the biggest physical presence on the team, Darius Kasparaitis to a familiar city of his, Pittsburgh. In exchange for Kasparaitis, the Penguins forfeited roster players Todd Harvey and Dan Focht, but more importantly prospects R.J. Anderson, Stephen Dixon and a 5th round draft pick in the 2005 OTHL Entry Draft. In Kasparaitis, the Penguins acquire a lethal, dominant and feared presence for their blue-line who enjoyed his best days in Pittsburgh. While in Harvey and Focht, the Capitals receive two depth players that may take on key roles this season in maintaining Washington's respectability, as well as potentially filling in depth positions in the future of the Capitals' plans. With Anderson and Dixon, the Capitals acquire two solid prospects with potential to be solid contributors in the OTHL someday. Dixon is a solid two-way player who can win key faceoffs and work in his own zone as well as kill key penalties. Currently captaining the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL, Dixon's role on the recent gold-medal winning Canada World Junior squad demonstrates his versatility, leadership and obedience. R.J. Anderson selected in the 3rd round of the 2004 OTHL Entry Draft, is a skilled offensive defenseman with vision and puck-handling, potentially positioning himself in a future role as powerplay quarterback.
"We definitely like what both R.J. [Anderson] and Stephen [Dixon] bring to the table. We see Stephen as a future role player for this organization with his ability to win key draws and kill key penalties, while Anderson shows the potential to become as good as a 4th defenseman with his offensive capabilities, and we feel it is realistic to believe he could quarterback our second powerplay unit in the future.", answered Poraszka at his second press conference in Washington.
Following a week of silence on the trade front with rumours of a possible deal in the works with Poraszka's former team, the New Jersey Devils, the Capitals struck a deal. However, it was not with the New Jersey Devils, and nor was it the blockbuster anyone had in mind. The Capitals sent veteran depth player Craig Johnson to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 7th round pick in this year's entry draft. The deal was merely a move to rid the team of dead weight and bring in picks in a significant draft for this organization.
"We were just happy to get a decent draft pick for just about anyone, this upcoming draft we feel can be a significant turning point for this organization and for it to be that, we'll need to stack up on picks.", said Poraszka concerning the minor deal with the Leafs.
After a week without any significant deals to report, Poraszka finally brought in his trigger finger and made two big trades on Saturday. In the first, the star of the Capitals, John LeClair was dealt to a contendor in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Along with the previously acquired 7th round draft selection, LeClair joins the 9th place Lightning and significantly improves their left side. With LeClair aboard, the Lightning add an offensive punch that may be just enough to squeek them into the playoffs where damage may be done. In exchange for the services of John LeClair and the 7th round draft pick, the Capitals received prospect Petr Vrana and a 5th round draft pick in the upcoming draft. Thus, in addition to upgrading from a 7th round pick to a 5th, the Capitals receive Petr Vrana, a Czech-born center selected in the 2nd round of the 2003 entry draft by the New Jersey Devils, territory Poraszka is quite familiar with. Vrana plays a finesse type game which he uses consistently to contribute as captain to the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL, as well as most recently with the game winning overtime goal in the Bronze medal game in the IIHF World Junior Championships between the Czech Republic and the United States.
The latter trade completed on Saturday saw Per-Johan Axelsson depart from the Capitals and go to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Rob Zamuner and prospect Ivan Huml. In Axelsson, the Bruins receive a quality depth player, who's consistent play allows for added responsibility at both ends of the ice. While in Zamuner, the Capitals, like with Harvey and Focht receive a player with the ability to step in and help the Capitals play out the season for pride. The heart of the deal for Washington comes in prospect Ivan Huml, in Huml, the Capitals receive another Czech player with strong skating and puck handling. Huml was selected in the 2nd round of the 2000 Entry draft and has extensive experience in professional hockey with over 40 games played with the Bruins in 2002-2003, and over a year with the Providence Bruins of the AHL.
"In Huml and Vrana we feel we get two solid Czech prospects who will be able to contribute to our team, in only a matter of time. We love Vrana's combination of leadership, finesse and maturity while we admire Huml's talent. We feel together with Eric Fehr, these two could make up a dominant 2nd line for the Washington Capitals."
After being completely dominated in an 8-1 defeat from Poraszka's former club and a loss to Florida, the Capitals have bounced back with two straight unexpected victories over Carolina and Edmonton. More importantly, with these recent trades, a blueprint for the Capitals appears to be forming. With Tom Poraszka at the helm, Washington looks to better years ahead.