Winnik traded to Washington

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

He had a bad lower body injury earlier in the year. It's been mentioned several times that it's hurt his mobility all season.

He missed a tiny bit of time for it in November. If it was that serious the team would have done something about it.

There was a story not long after, that basically said it was an injury that was unlikely to heal to the point where he'd have full mobility unless he was shut down for several months or had surgery, he decided playing at 85% was preferable.

Had it happened later in the year I suspect they'd have shut him down entirely.

 

[Kin]

This seems like a bit of a steal. Caps must've been pretty eager to shed Laich and get Winnik.

Makes you wonder if they've got something sizable on deck for tomorrow.

 

[L K]

This seems like a bit of a steal. Caps must've been pretty eager to shed Laich and get Winnik.

Makes you wonder if they've got something sizable on deck for tomorrow.

PA Parenteau to Washington confirmed?

Pretty solid deal. 

 

[herman]

This seems like a bit of a steal. Caps must've been pretty eager to shed Laich and get Winnik.

Makes you wonder if they've got something sizable on deck for tomorrow.

PA Parenteau to Washington confirmed?

Pretty solid deal.

They would've rolled him into the package, no?
I thought Komarov would've gone to Washington for Laich+.

 

[herman]

The value coming back on this trade boggles my brain more than the Polak/Spaling deal.

 

[Bender]

Laich has been really bad this year, they're willing to give up picks to save a couple million dollars

 

[herman]

Laich has been really bad this year, they're willing to give up picks to save a couple million dollars

And with our team for this and next season, neither of those downsides is consequential.

 

[Highlander]

2 guys named Carrick on the same team?..one will have to go

 

[Bender]

Laich has been really bad this year, they're willing to give up picks to save a couple million dollars

And with our team for this and next season, neither of those downsides is consequential.

It seems like we're really going with a scorched earth policy here. I thought PAP would be gone before Winnik.

 

[maplesyrup]

Jebus... I had no idea Laich was having that horrific of a season. I wonder where he fits in next season - if at all. Horray for the pick and the prospect though.

 

[Beowulf]

What a great return for Winnik. Even more so if Laich can be parlayed into another pick next year.

I agree that Washington has something brewing and wanted the cap space ASAP.  I just don't see how the Leafs get that kind of return for Winnik otherwise (even keeping in mind the pick is likely to be in the high 50s).

 

[Frank E]

So, is Laich that bad now?  Salvageable 3rd liner?  When does Hough arrive?

 

[cujo4ever]

Nice return for Winnik, keep em coming Lou!

 

[Boston Leaf]

just think after next year we can resign Winnik and do it all over again

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

So, is Laich that bad now?  Salvageable 3rd liner?  When does Hough arrive?

1. Borderline NHL'er at this point.

2. Babcock will do what he can, maybe. Legs might have gone though.

3. I'm going to call her an uber in about 45 minutes.

 

[bustaheims]

Solid return on Winnik, and nice job taking advantage of cap space. I wouldn't be surprised to see another couple deals like this today.

 

[Kin]

I know for these guys with two year deals we think "eh, no need to trade them now, the return might be higher next year" but I think this shows that one of the reasons you want to trade these guys now is because you can always sign other guys this off-season for these roster spots and trade those players next deadline.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

So, is Laich that bad now?  Salvageable 3rd liner?  When does Hough arrive?

4th line, PK guy. The Caps still relied on him pretty heavily on the PK. He averaged about the most minutes (2:05) there among the forwards, along with Richards (2:12) and Beagle (2:04). But those two have only played in 18 and 37 games respectively for Washington this season. They've also got the 4th best ranked PK in the league, so he's likely doing something good there (having Holtby behind you helps no doubt).

Past couple of seasons he's been on pace to score 25 points, but this season he's shooting at just 1.5%. He has 1 goal on 66 shots. So it's probably reasonable to expect his scoring to go up a little next season.

Lastly he's at least been able to keep a positive possession rate this season, and a positive relative-possession rate. Playing fairly comfortable minutes though.

So I'd categorize him as an extremely overpaid, but average-to-slightly-above-average (if his SH% regresses back to the mean) 4th liner.

 

[herman]

Better than Clarkson?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

This might have nothing to do with anything, but it always surprised me a little bit that the coaching staff was constantly passing Winnik over when it came to handing out As this season. I mean Brad Boyes got to wear one over him recently.