Caps Make Big Trade for a Big Enforcer

On Monday the Capitals announced they had traded captain Chris Clark and defenseman Milan Jurcina to Columbus in exchange for left wing Jason Chimera. Chimera is known to Caps' fans as the guy who injured Ovechkin earlier this season. The trade came as a complete surprise to most especially as the the Caps were currently the first place team in the NHL. Many wonder why risk team chemistry when they are playing so well together? Also, trading away your captain can leave your team with a major leadership void. Its affect can be seen on the last two games in which the Caps have lost both by a three goal margin. It's one thing for a guy to step up into a leadership role, it's quite another for a guy to be forced into one, and that is not always a recipe for success.

There were many reasons, however, that made this move not only smart, but necessary. Clark has been plagued by injuries the last three seasons, playing only 88 games. Though he has remained healthy this season, his playing time has diminished substantially. Milan Jurcina has struggled for a regular spot on the Caps' crowded blue line. One thing the Caps did not have, however, was a consistent enforcer. Both Clark and Matt Bradley aren't ones to shy away from a fight, but the Caps didn't have another player to really put the hurt on opponents other than Alexander Ovechkin. After receiving a 2 game suspension earlier this year and an upper body injury that kept him out of the lineup for two weeks, the Caps really needed another physical presence on the ice to take some of the physical pressure off Ovechkin. Chimera gives the Caps the enforcer they desperately needed, but without taking away from the lineup. Many can point to Jon Erskine as a legitimate enforcer, but he has the same problem as Donald Brashear: he's a terrible hockey player. Unlike Brashear, however, Erskine is a defenseman. Erskine's complete lack of talent really hurt the Caps in their own zone. Whenever he was caught out of position, which was frequently, he gave up a goal or a penalty. Chimera adds skill and speed to the lineup. If he knocks Erskine out of the regular rotation on the blue line, he may have made the team a lot better than anyone would have thought.

The Caps also added $2.2 million of cap space with the trade. Last season the Caps decided to make no moves at the trade deadline. The result: well, the Caps may not have hurt the team chemistry, but they watched Boston, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia get better. The Caps aren't going to make the same mistake this year. If Varlamov can stay healthy and consistent, the Caps are one solid defenseman away from seriously contending for the Cup. After sending Michael Nylander to the minors and making this trade, the Caps are gaining a lot of cap space. Watch for the Caps to make a move to bring in a big name defenseman and counter moves made by Pittsburgh, New Jersey, Buffalo, and whoever else tries to compete. The front office is looking at the future of this team.