NHL Trade Rumors: 5 bold trade deadline predictions
3. Capitals Make One More Move
The Washington Capitals have had a darn good week. They acquired long-time nemesis Carl Hagelin and defenseman Nick Jensen without giving up any roster players. The only concrete asset the Capitals gave up in 2019 is a third-round pick. Credit general manager Brian MacLellan for addressing needs without mortgaging the future.
However, the Jensen trade smells a little funny because they signed him to a four-year, $10 million extension immediately after trading for him. Now, that’s a perfectly fine deal for him. Heck, it’s probably a bargain. But looking at the Capitals blue line, the extension likely means someone’s heading out.
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John Carlson isn’t going anywhere, he’s the Caps best defensemen. Nor is 2018 trade deadline acquisition Michal Kempny. Crazier things have happened, but let’s rule out Jensen being traded. This leaves Matt Niskanen, Christian Djoos, and Dmitry Orlov. The purpose of trading a defenseman would be for cap space, so we can eliminate Djoos. This leaves Niskanen and Orlov.
I’m not sure this trade gets done by Monday. This sounds like something that happens in the offseason. But the Caps are likely going to try to get something done. And MacLellan has proven he has a tendency to strike from out of nowhere.
Prediction: Niskanen gets sent to Ottawa, along with a draft pick, for a low-level prospect or draft pick.