The Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers have swapped blue-liners, as the Capitals are sending veteran Matt Niskanen to Philadelphia in return for Radko Gudas.
The trade kills two birds with one stone for the Capitals. On one hand, they move on from Niskanen, who had regressed at the age of 33. He simply appears a step behind on both ends of the ice. They also gain some salary cap flexibility grabbing the younger and cheaper Gudas.
Niskanen had two years remaining on his contract that would pay him $5.75 million annually. Meanwhile, Gudas, 29, has one year remaining on his deal that will pay him $2.5 million and carry a $3.35 million cap hit. Additionally, the Flyers have agreed to pay 30% of Gudas’ 2019-20 salary.
“We feel this move provides us with financial flexibility as we look for additional ways to strengthen our team,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “In addition, we are pleased to welcome Radko to our organization. Radko is a good defensive defenseman that plays a competitive, physical game.”
Niskanen struggled in 2018-19 collecting 25 points in 80 games. It was his lowest non-lockout season point total since 2011-12. He also accumulated a minus-3 rating this past season — his first minus-rating since 2010-11.
Gudas spent four seasons in Philadelphia. In 2018-19, he had 20 points in 77 game with a plus-6 rating. His physicality will be well welcomed to a skilled Capitals’ team looking to rebound from a disappointing season one year after claiming their first-ever Stanley Cup title.
The Capitals now have a projected cap sapce of roughly $13.5 million, according to CapFriendly. Money they’ll need with the likes of Andre’ Burakovsky, Chandler Stephenson, Jakub Vrana, and Christian Djoos all being restricted free agents.
The Capitals also have left winger Carl Hagelin as an unrestricted free agent and will be looking more talent to their roster from the open market.
