Music: {allcanada} Maple Leafs send Daniel Winnik to Capitals for Brooks Laich, pick

Sunday, February 28, 2016

{allcanada} Maple Leafs send Daniel Winnik to Capitals for Brooks Laich, pick

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded forward Daniel Winnik and Anaheim's fifth-round pick in 2016 to the Washington Capitals for forward Brooks Laich, defenseman Connor Carrick and a 2016 second-round pick. No salary was retained in the trade.

Why the Maple Leafs made the trade: Getting a second-round choice and Carrick for Winnik makes a lot of sense for the rebuilding Maple Leafs. Carrick has spent the season with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears, suiting up in 46 games and recording 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists), which leads the team's blue-liners. He will fit in well with the streaking Toronto Marlies if he's assigned to the AHL immediately. Winnik, who expressed his gratitude for the opportunity play for his hometown team after news of the trade broke, carries a $2.25 million cap hit until the end of next season. With his low production totals (four goals, 10 assists in 56 games), he wasn't a player the Leafs were likely to want to hold onto going forward. Laich is an extremely effective penalty killer to join the 18th-ranked PK in the league.

Why the Capitals made the trade: Winnik is also is an effective penalty killer and had better offensive numbers than Laich (one goal, six assists in 60 games). Laich carries a $4.5 million cap hit that goes until the end of next season. He recently was placed on waivers by the Capitals to save an additional $950,000, but given his poor stats this season, his days with the organization appeared numbered.

Key stat: Laich's $4.5 million cap hit is now the highest on the Leafs' active roster.

Worth noting: Per Zac Boyer of the Washington Times, if the Capitals do go on a successful Stanley Cup run, because Laich has played at least 41 games with the team this season, his name could still be etched on the side of hockey's greatest prize.

Odd fact: Laich was the longest-tenured player on the Capitals, arriving in 2004. Winger Alex Ovechkin came on board in 2005.

Last word: The Maple Leafs continue to stay the course in their rebuild, essentially buying draft picks and unloading players they didn't see in their future anyway. In exchange for taking on Laich's money, they move up into prime draft position. In that sense, this is an excellent get by general manager Lou Lamoriello. Carrick will be just 22 in April, and adds to the incredible stable of bright young talent the Leafs have in their system. The Capitals need a steady role player who can produce better than Laich had been, and Winnik gives them that. With all the turmoil on the Leafs roster this season, it has been difficult for anyone to find a rhythm, but Winnik has had his moments. Plus, he's a good locker room guy.