Caps make statement at trade deadline
By: Turner Sports Desk
Jim Turner
turnersportsdesk.com
March 4, 2010
The Washington Capitals were the #1 team in the NHL going into the trade deadline yesterday. The Caps believe they are talented enough to win the cup. The bigger question is are they tough and deep enough to win the cup? General Manager George McPhee made moves to answer both of those questions.
Caps acquire Eric Belanger from Columbus – The Caps needed help up the middle and they got a really good two way center in Belanger. He brings some great skating along with a very good face off record. Bruce Boudreau is familiar with Belanger as he coached him in the Minors. Belanger is an excellent penalty killer and he instantly helps the 25th ranked penalty kill.
Caps acquire Scott Walker from Carolina – Caps nation was not thrilled when the team let Donald Brashear go. They were definitely not thrilled when teams started taking liberties with our skill guys and we had no enforcer to even the score. Scott Walker is not to be mistaken for Donald Brashear but he can drop the mitts with the best of them. He brings solid, gritty play along with good locker room leadership. Walker can make a big difference with his ability to get under people’s skin without hurting his own team. He is also good penalty killer which helps the Caps.
Caps acquire Joe Corvo from Carolina – Joe Corvo’s acquisition allows the Caps to still have a defensive scoring threat when teams key on Mike Green. Many are still at odds with this acquisition because of their belief that the Caps needed more defensive minded defensemen. Corvo brings a wealth of playoff experience, a terrific point shot and the ability to play either opposite green on the first power play unit or to quarterback the second unit. Either way you slice it the number #1 power play in the league just got better.
Caps re-acquire Milan Jurcina from Columbus – This move is proof positive that you can always come home especially if you are a 6’4 235 pound righty defenseman. “Juice” was traded with former Captain Chris Clark to Columbus earlier this season for Mike Chimera. Juice gives the Caps size and a nice heavy shot when he chooses to use it. Jurcina is injured to the tune of 4-6 weeks which puts him back in play in time for the playoffs. The Caps need Jurcina to replace Brian Pothier who was sent to Carolina as part of the Joe Corvo deal along with prospect Oskar Osala.
Overall the Caps got more grit, more playoff tested veterans and more skill. The beauty of these deals is they did not disrupt what is a good locker room in order to do it. They also did not mortgage their future. Questions remain about the Caps goaltending and defense but the Caps made themselves better despite the questions. Time will tell if the moves were good enough. The Caps took the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Penguins to seven games so they feel they have put themselves into a position to over take the Pens and the rest of the NHL.