Before tonight's game the Caps shipped Brian Sutherby to Anaheim for the Ducks 2nd round pick in 2009 (TSN story).
The upside is that the Capitals pick up a second round pick, which should in itself be a solid pick and could also be used in a trade this year or next year to fill a hole. The downside is that most second round picks don't have sustained NHL careers (although many do) and Sutherby should be a good NHL player for a lot of years. So, as much as I've liked watching Sutherby over the years, I'd have to say it's a good move.
Sutherby just wasn't going to get playing time in D.C. for the foreseeable future. He hadn't shown enough offensively to warrant a top six role and the Caps already have Nicklas Backstrom and Michael Nylander for that (and Viktor Kozlov should need be), Boyd Gordon has the checking line role locked up and although Dave Steckel doesn't have Sutherby's grit he is a very good faceoff man and penalty killer.
It's good for Sutherby too. Not only will he get a chance to play, but he'll get a chance to do it on a team and in a system that suits his gritty style perfectly.
J.P. from Japers' Rink also adds this insight:
You'll recall that the Caps resigned Suts, a former first-round pick, to a 1-year, $800,000 deal this past summer, meaning that, in essence, they bought a second round pick in '09 for just under $200,000.
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