It has been a few weeks since the Washington Capitals traded John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional first-round pick as well as a third-round selection. With the trade a few weeks old, Capitals general manager Chris Patrick discussed trading those assets from the Carlson trade to get even more youth, according to a New York Times article by Pierre LeBrun.
“I’m hoping there will be trades there this summer, but I also think teams that are maybe willing to move a top guy understand that it is a sellers’ market, so the prices will be high. So we had to put ourselves hopefully in a position to have as many different pieces that we can use to get somebody,” Patrick told LeBrun.
The Capitals’ trade of Carlson could come back with great returns, especially if they utilize those assets for a good pick or an even better trade. With the Caps out of the playoff race, Patrick took the best action for the future of this team. Patrick may also have to deal with the possibility of Alexander Ovechkin’s retirement, their longtime star.
A year ago, the Capitals made the playoffs despite the start of a heavy youth movement surrounding Carlson and Ovechkin. But that has not been the case this season, as they are on the brink of elimination. While the Capitals still can technically make the playoffs, they need a lot to happen, and they needed to make this trade.
If the Capitals manage to find a trade partner, they could secure their future with even more assets. It could also mean the dawn of a new age in Washington, D.C.
It has been a few weeks since the Washington Capitals traded John Carlson to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional first-round pick as well as a third-round selection. With the trade a few weeks old, Capitals general manager Chris Patrick discussed trading those assets from the Carlson trade to get even more youth, according to a New York Times article by Pierre LeBrun.