In an attempt to bolster their blue line, the Washington Capitals sent forward Tomas Fleischmann to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for veteran shut-down defenseman Scott Hannan.
Hannan, an 11-year veteran of the NHL, waived his no-trade clause to be sent to the Washington Capitals and should provide an immediate boost to their blue line as a shut-down defenseman against the opposition’s top talent.
“I’ve been counted on to be a defensive player and to kill penalties and to play against other teams’ top lines,” the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Hannan said, essentially listing the very things the Capitals have been seeking. “I’ll be put in a defensive role there; I don’t think I’ll change that up too much.”
This will be Hannan’s third NHL club after spending time with the San Jose Sharks and the Avalanche.
The 26-year-old Fleischmann has been the subject of trade talk for some time now. After a career season last year where he posted 23 goals and 28 assists in 69 games, Fleischmann started this season as the second line center for the Capitals but has been slow out of the gate with only four goals and 10 points for one of the league’s most potent offenses and has found himself sitting in the press box as a healthy scratch at points during this season. However, a change of scenery could do some good for Fleischmann, who spent five years with the Capitals.
“In Tomas we are acquiring a top-six forward who is only 26 years old,” said Avalanche GM Greg Sherman in a press release. “His addition will bolster our lineup immediately.”
Fleischmann could immediately see time on the wing of one of the top two lines in Colorado as the team is pretty much set at center with Matt Duchene and Paul Stastny centering the top two lines. If nothing else, Fleischman certainly provides the team with a bit more depth and more options on offense.
The Avalanche seemingly acquired a preemptive replacement for Hannan yesterday when they traded for defenseman Matt Hunwick from the Boston Bruins in exchange for minor leaguer Colby Cohen.
Couldn’t be happier with this trade. Fleischmann should get a much better opportunity in Colorado. He should fit in really well with the young team and start contributing immediately.
I think this is a strong trade for both teams. The Caps get a solid d-man to bolster their blue line, something that they weren’t really able to address in the offseason, and the Avs have done amazing things with their young talent and I highly suspect that Fleischmann will fit right in.