What will the Washington Capitals do at the 2019 NHL trade deadline?
The Washington Post: For the past four seasons GM Brian MacLellan has made a trade at the NHL trade deadline and all trades have been for a defenceman. Will he do the same thing this year?
MacLellan likes the chemistry of his roster, so there won’t be any big shake-ups. There’s no need when the team is playing well and in first place. But the Capitals have dealt with more injuries this season with
Christian Djoos is out indefinitely after surgery and Brooks Orpik returning from an ankle injury.
The Capitals will likely pursue another rental depth defenseman before the NHL trade deadline, an insurance move in case of more injuries.
Will the New York Rangers trade Mats Zuccarello?
New York Post: Larry Brooks feels it is time for GM Jeff Gorton to trade pending unrestricted free agent Mats Zuccarello as soon as he gets a legit trade offer.
It has been obvious for nearly a year the New York Rangers would move Zuccarello by the Feb. 25 trade deadline. The club would have moved the winger last year, or at the draft, had they received a generous enough offer.
There are numerous contenders throughout the league seeking cost-effective second- and third-line help who should be interested in him. Zuccarello make $4.5 million/year and many contending teams can fit his salary into their cap.The hockey trade rumors have affected his play and he is quoted as saying…
“People can say that I’m making enough money [$4.5 million] that I shouldn’t let any of this affect me, but I’m sorry, I have been here for nine years, and I am human,” said Zuccarello, who has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) overall. “I know I have a job to do, and I am going to do my best for as long as I’m here. I don’t want to let anyone down.”
