Washington Capitals Continue to Deal, Add Second-Line Center, Jason Arnott

Washington Capitals GM George McPhee continues to wheel and deal at the NHL's trade deadline. According to NHL.com and the Washington Post, the Capitals have added a potential No. 2 center from the New Jersey Devils, acquiring Jason Arnott for David Steckel.

Arnott who is 36, is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. He has 13 goals and 24 points for the Devils. He is a 17-year veteran and now becomes the second member of the Washington Capitals to boast a Stanley Cup ring. Mike Knuble is the other.

Arnott waived his no-trade clause on Sunday night in order to join a contender, and today, that contender is the Washington Capitals. This deal comes directly on the heels of Washington acquiring veteran defenseman Denis Wideman form the Panthers for a prospect and a third-round draft choice.

McPhee and the Caps front office had been surprisingly quiet up until Friday, when they acquired 14-year NHL veteran Marco Sturm off waivers from the L.A. Kings.

The Caps have not announced this latest deal, as it is being reported on NHL.com.

The Capitals have been playing rookies Marcus Johansson and Mathieu Perreault as their second- and third-line centers for much of this season. Perreault was optioned to Hershey on Friday.

Steckel has five goals and 11 points in 57 games for the Capitals this season, primarily as the team's fourth-line center. He is one of the top faceoff specialists in the league and has been a key member of Washington's penalty-killing unit.