Washington Capitals NHL Trade deadline Roundup

Here is a look around at the thoughts and reviews from various sources of the NHL Trade deadline and the analysis of how the Washington Capitals fared.  It seems pretty solid, the Washington Capitals were big winners in the trade deadline yesterday, as they begin the push toward the Stanley Cup.

A quick recap again:

Caps Give Up:  2010 Draft: 2nd round, 6th round, and 7th round picks, 2001 Draft:  2nd round pick, veteran D Brian Pothier

Caps Acquire:  F Scott Walker, F Eric Belanger, D Milan Jurcina, and D Joe Corvo

Now, quick looks how the Caps faired.

Here is the Puck Daddy report card and specififcally, how teh Washington capitals did.

Washington Capitals: The Capitals made an incredible amount of noise at the deadline, and left some fans scratching their noggins. Adding veteran forward Scott Walker from Carolina is inspired, because he brings grit and experience down the lineup. Adding Eric Belanger from the Wild was puzzling, because the Capitals seemed pretty set up the middle; but he adds a solid two-way game.

The reacquisition of Milan Jurcina from Columbus makes sense, because he's a banger that GM George McPhee likes on his blue line. The trade for Joe Corvo is a bit of a puzzler, because with Mike Green(notes) and Tom Poti(notes) one would think that type of defenseman is already well represented on a roster that could have used a veteran shutdown guy. Corvo makes the deadliest offensive team in the league more dangerous, and but only adds to the jitters that this team could be susceptible on defense in the postseason.

All that said: Big moves from a team looking at a Cup within reach, and not many assets sacrificed to make them. GRADE: A-

Kevin Allen from the USA Today gives the Caps a big thumbs up.

USA TODAY's hockey writer ranks the teams that he believes had the top 10 trade deadline performances:

1. Washington Capitals: The Caps' belief that they can win it all is clearly evident in their trade deadline aggressiveness. They went all in. The acquisition of Joe Corvo from Carolina gives the team another blue-chip, puck-handling defenseman. The addition of Eric Belanger from Minnesota Wild for a second-round pick gives Washington a dependable center to add to the mix for the playoffs. Plus, Scott Walker's addition from Carolina Hurricanes gives the Capitals more fire in their belly for the stretch run. He plays with an edge. The Caps reacquired wide-bodied Milan Jurcina, who adds depth and bulk to the blue line. The only question left after George McPhee's moves is whether Washington's goaltending will be good enough in the playoffs. But McPhee has made it clear that he has faith that his goaltending will measure up.

Adam Gretz from NHL Fanhouse also lists the Caps among trade day winners.

As the team with the best record in the NHL (by a wide margin) and the team with best goal-differential in the NHL (by an even wider margin), the Washington Capitals didn't need much, but that didn't stop general manager George McPhee from bringing in four players: Eric Belanger, Scott Walker, Milan Jurcina and Joe Corvo.

Up front, the Capitals gave up a second-round pick for Belanger, and a seventh-rounder for Walker -- the type of gritty, character guys you always have room for, regardless of how stacked your team is, and the type of guys you want on your team in the playoffs. Belanger also gives the Capitals another dominant face-off man, when paired with Dave Steckel, they have two of the top-seven face-off performers in the NHL this season. That can't be overlooked.

There isn't a deeper, more well-rounded group of forwards in the NHL.

Not as crazy about their additions on the blue line (Jurcina and Corvo), but they didn't give up anything that's going to burn them long-term (prospect Oskar Osala is probably the most valuable asset going the other way), so it's hard to really call that a "loss." Corvo is another good offensive player on the blue line, but has a reputation for being prone to the occasional bad turnover at the absolute wrong time. They didn't bring in the "shutdown" defenseman people keep looking for them to acquire, but, on the other hand, it's hard for the other team to score if it never has the puck.

The Brawl Sports Blog, from the Winnipeg Sun, lists the Caps as number one

Read it all at

http://www.dcprosportsreport.com/articles/washington-capitals/washington-capitals-nhl-trade-deadline-roundup.html