The National Hockey League is a business. The Washington Capitals made an easy business decision late Sunday night when they traded their longest-tenured player, Brooks Laich, prospect Connor Carrick, and a 2016 2nd round pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs for F Daniel Winnik and a 2016 5th round pick.
It was a necessary move for the league-leading Washington Capitals to make. The $4.5 million cap hit that Laich carries through 2017 was a financial handcuff for several years due to several serious injuries and a sharp decline in performance.
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With the serious stuff out of the way, this was a very difficult emotional decision for any fan, player or member of the Washington Capitals organization that has watched Laich play for the past 12 years with the team.