At Contrarian Sports, we do not often advocate for trade deadline deals. The trades that contenders make to beef up the roster generally end poorly, with the acquisition either disappointing or the team falling flat, or both; the Capitals worsen the bargain by trading away future All-Stars for sloppy seconds.
But it might work for us!
No one wants to enter the postseason with two rookie defenders. Madison Bowey and Christian Djoos have played exceptionally well, but it is not ideal for them to eat minutes with Taylor Chorney as the only NHL defender ready to step in. With the potential for 80 or more minutes of hockey, Brooks Orpik might not ideal on the second pair either.
Enter Erik Gudbranson.
He is big, mean, and surly, who plays a game that Bowey can model after (Orpik is great for this, but maybe a right-shot will help Bowey learn to control breakouts better). His ice time has been cut - his 17:37 per game is the lowest since his rookie season and is good for 6th among Canuck defenders. Oft injured, and a pending first-time UFA, he may come with a slight discount, as Vancouver would rather lose him for something than nothing.
Should the Capitals trade for him, he will come with low expectations, but should represent a significant upgrade to the blueline.
With John Carlson playing the best hockey of his career, earning himself a hefty pay raise, this trade may be prudent - so long as the team does not mortgage the future again.
But it might work for us!
No one wants to enter the postseason with two rookie defenders. Madison Bowey and Christian Djoos have played exceptionally well, but it is not ideal for them to eat minutes with Taylor Chorney as the only NHL defender ready to step in. With the potential for 80 or more minutes of hockey, Brooks Orpik might not ideal on the second pair either.
Enter Erik Gudbranson.
He is big, mean, and surly, who plays a game that Bowey can model after (Orpik is great for this, but maybe a right-shot will help Bowey learn to control breakouts better). His ice time has been cut - his 17:37 per game is the lowest since his rookie season and is good for 6th among Canuck defenders. Oft injured, and a pending first-time UFA, he may come with a slight discount, as Vancouver would rather lose him for something than nothing.
Should the Capitals trade for him, he will come with low expectations, but should represent a significant upgrade to the blueline.
With John Carlson playing the best hockey of his career, earning himself a hefty pay raise, this trade may be prudent - so long as the team does not mortgage the future again.
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