The Washington Capitals made a trade today, acquiring...wait for it...goaltender Rémi Poirier from the Devils for a 7th round pick. The move makes sense, considering that the Caps lost goaltender Clay Stevenson last month when he was claimed off waivers by Winnipeg. It is NOT the trade that many are anticipating, the Caps trading for Red Wings center Dylan Larkin. , the Red Wings' disgruntled center who has requested a trade. But, perhaps the trade for goaltending depth is a sign that the Caps are positioning themselves for one.
Poirier became expendable after New Jersey traded for Connor Hellebuyck last week, who had requested a trade from Winnipeg this past summer. The 25 year-old Poirier has a career record of 70-51-14 in the AHL, with a 2.76 goals against average and a .908 save percentage. He fills the void left by the departure of Stevenson, and solidifies the Capitals' minor league depth. With the trade rumors flying and the recent bombshell that Nikita Kucherov has asked Tampa Bay for a trade, the Caps may not have a choice but to be a major player in the coming trade frenzy.
They have been heavily linked to Larkin, the Detroit Red Wings' former captain, who has a list of ten teams to which he would accept a trade. The Capitals are one of them. With it being Alex Ovechkin's final season, the Caps want to win the Stanley Cup and send the Great 8 riding off into the sunset. With more star players demanding trades and the Capitals looking to be in the race to the Cup, they may have to make a big move to remain in contention.
The Red Wings want a lot for Larkin, who is 30 and makes $8.7 million per season for the next five years. Larkin is good, but the Wings are asking for way too much. Rumors claim that Detroit wants Ilya and Aliaksei Protas or budding superstar Ryan Leonard in exchange, which is crazy. The Caps aren't going to trade Ryan Leonard. I seriously doubt they would give up both Protas brothers, along with another prospect and a first-rounder for Larkin. That's highway robbery and wouldn't make the Caps better. However, there may be a bigger deal that could be possible between the two clubs.
Detroit could package Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson and offer them to Patrick, and I think he should listen. Edvinsson is just 23 years-old and is a restricted fee agent. The Caps would have to include a defenseman and a few prospects along with the Protas noys. That might be a deal Patrick should listen to. Adding Poirier may just be Patrick getting ready.
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