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Washington Capitals: Brooks Orpik, Philipp Grubauer move to Colorado

By Ron Juckett

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Brooks Orpik #44 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals won the series four games to one. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Brooks Orpik #44 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals won the series four games to one. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Looking to clear salary cap space, the Washington Capitals traded the popular Brooks Orpik and netminder Philipp Grubauer to Colorado. A move that stings.

The Washington Capitals made the painful decision Friday night to trade Brooks Orpik and Philipp Grubauer to the Colorado Avalanche. In return, the Avs sent their second-round pick to Washington while giving the Caps an additional $5.5 million in salary cap room.

With the pre-draft trade, Washington has $1 million and change to play with and whatever Grubauer gets from Colorado not counting against it. The net benefit is likely to top $7 million.

Now, the Caps head into free agency with the flexibility to re-sign John Carlson, John Beagle and Michal Kempny as unrestricted signings. Tom Wilson and Devante Smith-Pelly are the restricted free agents of note. Travis Boyd and Madison Bowey could also return.

Colorado plans to sign Grubauer to a deal fast. He will get playing time next season in bunches.

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Although the top off-season priority for the Caps is keeping Carlson, losing Orpik is a tough pill to swallow for you the fans. Forever linked to this championship squad, his $5.5 million owed was too much for Washington to keep. The Avs will either trade him or buy him out.

This move gives the Caps options for the future. No longer was their summer about keeping Carlson and some other free agents. Now, they can sign whoever wants to stay. The championship window stays wide open.

Unless something happens before the start of Saturday’s second round of the Draft, Washington gets another two prospects out of the top 50. Remember, they have the Florida Panthers pick at 47 with Colorado’s selection at 46.

Yet, despite most of the positive press on the move, losing Orpik is a cruel reminder sports are a harsh business. He is a folk hero in Washington, playing the last three games of the Stanley Cup Finals with a slashed left-pinky finger. When you add his crucial game-tying assist in Game 5, his legend grows.

There is a small chance, if Orpik is bought out, that he might return. If so, the pay cut would be huge. No one is signing him at $5.5 million.

For Grubauer, we knew for days his time was over in Washington. The Carolina Hurricanes made overtures, but the Caps paid their former goalie the highest sign of respect. They wanted him out of the conference.

Next: 2018 Draft about stocking depth

On top of Barry Trotz leaving for the New York Islanders, this has been a harsh week for the Washington Capitals. Let’s hope they use the newfound money wisely.

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