The Washington Capitals have added some much needed depth to their blueline on this deadline day, acquiring Dennis Wideman from the Florida Panthers. The Caps send prospect Jake Hauswirth to the Panthers, along with a third-round pick in June, to Florida.
Washington Capitals Acquire Dennis Wideman In Deadline Day Trade
For Dale Tallon and the Panthers, the motivation is simple: clear cap space. It's his second space-clearing deal of this deadline day for his club after they sent veteran forward Radek Dvorak to the Atlanta Thrashers earlier in the day. With the two moves, the Panthers have cleared almost $5 million in space.
Wideman has a cap hit of just under $4 million, with another year left on the deal beyond the current season. For the Caps, the motivation is also obvious. Wideman provides the club with necessary depth to create success in the postseason. He can move the puck well and with Mike Green out of the lineup for an undetermined amount of time, Wideman will immmediately help.
Hauswirth isn’t much of a prospect. Currently toiling in the ECHL, he went undrafted when eligible in 2006. He made the jump to the pros two seasons ago and missed out on joining the absolutely stacked Hershey Bears prior to this season. Perhaps he’ll get more of a shot in the Panthers organization.
For more on the deal from the Caps perspective, check in with Japers’ Rink. For more from the Florida perspective, check in with Litter Box Cats.
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