Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee was in the minority when he publically questioned the depth in this year's NHL draft class.
With that in mind, McPhee traded the Caps first-round selection (No.26 overall) to the Chicago Blackhawks for the rights to left wing Troy Brouwer.
Brouwer, 25, is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1. He finished the year with 17 goals and 35 points in Chicago but finished fifth in the league with 262 hits.
McPhee was recently quoted during a pre-draft conference call saying, "I don’t know what to expect this year, and we’ll go there prepared to draft a player in the first round and then see what else develops throughout the rest of the draft, if there are trades being discussed, we’re certainly going to be involved.”
Mentioned by Pierre McGuire during the draft telecast is that the Caps may be making a preemptive strike in terms of losing free agents by making this deal.
Washington has a group of six pending unrestricted free agents. The list includes Brooks Laich, Jason Arnott, Matt Bradley, Boyd Gordon, Scott Hannan and Marco Sturm.
Free agency opens on July 1, and representatives for Arnott and Bradley told the Washington Post that there is nothing in the works with the Capitals entering draft weekend.
Brouwer could be a potential line replacement for Brooks Laich who scored 16 goals with 48 points last season in Washington. Laich is considered a target by many teams in this year’s market.
The Caps may look to spend some money this offseason. They have almost $51 million committed to the 2011-12 roster. However, after the NHL and the NHLPA announced the new cap of $64.3 million for this upcoming season, the Caps were extended more than $13 million in new space.
Last season, the Capitals hit the $59.4 million in available cap space.
This marks the 18th time the Capitals have made a draft day trade. McPhee and the rest of the Caps front office may need to conjure up another trade or two.
The Capitals had a franchise-low five picks headed into this year’s draft, and Washington does not pick again until the fourth round—No.117 overall.
After being swept out of the playoffs by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Caps are thought to be in search of grit and toughness during this offseason.
With that said, McPhee left several decent prospects on the board, including a player many considered the toughest skilled player in the draft, Tyler Biggs.
Stay tuned for all Washington Capitals draft day updates right here on Bleacher Report.
For more 2011 NHL draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NHL mock drafts, NHL draft rumors, NHL draft results and draft grades.
Cameron Richardson Camilla Belle Carla Campbell Alexis Bledel Ali Campoverdi
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