Top 3 Capitals takeaways after the NHL Trade Deadline

#2 Johan Larsson improves forward depth

The second move the Capitals made was trading a 2023 third round pick to the Arizona Coyotes for Johan Larsson. The Coyotes will retain 50 percent of his salary. Once he’s inserted into the lineup expect him to make an impact to the forward depth.

Larsson is coming off sports hernia surgery that kept him sidlelined for 19 Coyotes games. He’s in the final year of a two year contract with a cap hit of $1.4 million. He’s a 29 year old winger who has six goals and nine assists in 29 games this season. He also is a defensive minded forward which is what the Caps need for their fourth line.

They need it because Carl Hagelin is out with an eye injury. He has skated with the Capitals in a non contact jersey. Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan told the media this on his exception on when to see Larsson play:

"“I would anticipate right around a week of team practice before he can play. And that could vary a little earlier, a little later.”"

The Caps are off until Sunday which gives Larsson time to get ready in case he’s needed that night against the Minnesota Wild. We’ll see.