(Nick Wass/Associated Press)
The Washington Capitals traded Brooks Laich, the team’s longest-tenured player, to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night along with prospect defenseman Connor Carrick and a 2016 second-round pick. In exchange, the Capitals acquired forward Daniel Winnik and a 2016 fifth-round pick (Anaheim’s selection that was previously acquired by Toronto).
No salary was retained in the deal, which is the main benefit for a Capitals organization that was handcuffed by Laich’s $4.5 million cap hit this season and next. Unfortunately for Laich, this appears to be the best Capitals team that he was a part of in his 11 seasons in Washington, and any potential Stanley Cup run will happen without him.