Caps Make Deadline Move for Stanley Cup Push

The trade deadline has come and gone and the Washington Capitals have four new players from four different teams to use for their run at the Stanley Cup. The Capitals traded four draft picks, prospect Oskar Osala, and defenseman Brian Pothier, for winger Scott Walker, center Eric Belanger, and defenseman Milan Jurcina and Joe Corvo. Despite General Manger George McPhee expressing caution before the deadline he showed he was committed to making this team better. How'd he do?

Well, the first plus is that the Caps really didn't give up anything. This Washington team is young and affiliate Hershey is packed with top prospects. Draft picks are definitely valuable, but it's not really what they need right now and neither is Osala. Brian Pothier has been a great player for the Caps since he was brought in, but this was a good move. He really hasn't been the same since a concussion kept him out for over a year and he really has been in and out of the line up this season with injury problems. Durability was a major concern and this Washington team wants to make a long run this spring.

Despite having the best record in the league, there were some areas of concern for this team heading into the deadline and the post season. The major concern was goaltending. No moves were made there, but that's understandable. The Capitals already have three, all of whom are capable of great play, but can they keep it up? Can Varlamov stay healthy or Theodore keep up the pace? The Caps are poised to have a strong goalie situation in years to come with Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth. With all three playing well, it makes no sense to muddy the water further with another goalie. It would really undermine the confidence of Varlamov and Theodore and no one would get the playing time they needed or deserved.

With this in mind, what they desperately needed was defensive help. When the Caps announced that they had acquired Belanger and Walker, my initial reaction was why? They have the best offense in the league, there is no need for more players up front to ruin the lines that have worked so well and still leave the defense in question. But these two may actually boost the Capitals defense. Walker was not playing up to his potential in Carolina anymore. He adds a strong locker room presence and is also known for being a real tough, gritty player. He will best serve the caps if he replaces Erskine. Erskine has been a staple for the Capitals this season because he is the biggest fighter they have. Without an enforcer teams really go after Ovechkin. Erskine had to stay in the lineup, but he really doesn't have the talent to keep a regular spot on the team. If they don't need him, it opens up a spot for a better player.

Belanger is really needed to help on the penalty kill. Washington currently ranks 25th in penalty kill, which is awful. It is a real area of concern. A center is a big part of the penalty kill because faceoffs can kill a lot of time. The problem the Caps have is that their centers really aren't the gritty penalty kill type. Belanger adds another body on the penalty kill and a faceoff that can help the Caps clear the zone.

For the defensemen they did pick up, they might be a great fit, but it may not be far enough. The idea of trading for a defenseman we already traded away bothers me. Jurcina was splitting time with Erskine, Sloan, and Alzner. I think he is a good fit for the Caps, but what made them realize that now? If they brought him in to be a regular presence on the blue line, great. If they brought him in to split time again, then I really don't see the point. Corvo will be a great fit if he can recognize what he is being brought in for. The Caps can score. Everyone and their mother knows that. What they need is defense. Corvo is more of an offensive minded defenseman, like Mike Green. The problem is that he wasn't (or should not have been) brought in to score and so I have to wonder whether he was the right pick up for this team.

My initial reaction to the moves the Caps made today was 'eh,' but what you really have to realize is that this team did get better. That much is clear. As they were already the best team in the league, that means a lot. What also makes me feel good is how pumped Barry Melrose is. Watch the trade deadline video on ESPN.com. While I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about hockey, Melrose is one of the few people I will freely admit is miles ahead of me. When asked who got better today, the first thing he said was Washington. He clearly believes today's moves were the right moves. Let's hope it is enough to get us our first Stanley Cup.