The Capitals traded forward Tomas Fleischmann to the Colorado Avalanche this morning for defenseman Scott Hannan, a physical, durable shot-blocker with playoff experience.
The move has been in the works in some form since August and addresses an obvious need for Washington – and one it has been trying to fill for several years. With Hannan, 31, in the final year of a four-year, $18 million contract, the timing was right to make a deal. The Caps had the salary-cap space available – and to an extent still do to make a move later in the season, if needed.
“[Hannan’s] got as much experience on the blueline than everybody on our club other than [defenseman] Tom Poti,” said Washington general manager George McPhee. “I think it completes our defense. We’re really happy with the way our defense has been playing. But to add one more guy like this helps. Our defense moves the puck pretty well. We can generate offense from back there. But to have one more shutdown guy that can block shots and do all the little things that make a difference was important.”
The Caps saw firsthand how those skills translate in the Stanley Cup playoffs when unheralded defensemen Josh Gorges and Hal Gill made life miserable for them in the first round last spring against Montreal. Not stars. Not the swiftest of skaters. But solid guys who keep shots to the outside and play through pain. Hannan is in that mold. As Caps public-relations guru Nate Ewell notes, Hannan would have led Washington in blocked shots each of the last four years.
“Obviously I’m really excited to go to a team in first place with a great chance to make a run at a Stanley Cup,” said Hannan, who will join the Caps in St. Louis tomorrow. “I’m excited to be able to add whatever I can to a team with that much talent.”
Will have a story in the print version of our paper tomorrow, obviously, and will get another post or two up later this evening. Obviously, it’s a tough break for Fleischmann, who came up through the organization and has been a key piece in recent years. But he’s also going to a team building in the mold of Washington – young, speedy, exciting. Colorado made the playoffs last year when no one expected it and should have plenty of ice-time available for Fleischmann, who returns home on Dec. 11 when the two teams meet at Verizon Center.
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