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Capitals: Grading their trades after the NHL Trade deadline

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20: Brenden Dillon #4 of the Washington Capitals in action against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Capital One Arena on February 20, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 20: Brenden Dillon #4 of the Washington Capitals in action against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period at Capital One Arena on February 20, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 4: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Montreal Canadiens points in celebration as the Canadiens celebrate a goal by teammate Nick Cousins that tied the game during third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils on February 4, 2020 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ – FEBRUARY 4: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Montreal Canadiens points in celebration as the Canadiens celebrate a goal by teammate Nick Cousins that tied the game during third period of an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils on February 4, 2020 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

Ilya Kovalchuk

Perhaps the biggest trade that shook up Washington happened Sunday night when MacLellan announced the trade of a 2020 third round draft pick to the Montreal Canadiens for Ilya Kovalchuk. This addition will provide offensive depth for the Capitals in the bottom six and he should make an impact right away.

Kovalchuk lined up at the right wing position on the third line next to Carl Hagelin and Lars Eller. He also practiced on the power play on the second unit in the slot at morning skate alongside Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson, Lars Eller and Dmitry Orlov.

Kovalchuk will make his Capitals debut tonight against the Winnipeg Jets. He recorded 13 points with six goals and seven assists in 22 games with the Canadiens while adding nine points with the Los Angles Kings this season prior to them releasing him.

Kovalcuk and Ovechkin are best friends and they were seen happy together at the morning skate. It was destiny they would become teammates.

Grade A+: This move helps bolster the Capitals offense while giving a veteran a legitimate opportunity to make some noise in the Stanley Cup playoffs This might’ve been Brian MacLellan’s best trade deadline move yet. Only time will tell.

More. Capitals vs. Jets preview. light

Those are our grades for the newest members of the Capitals. What grades would you give the trades for Brenden Dillon and Ilya Kovalchuk? Let us know in the comments!

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