Caps Trade the Farm for a RW Juggernaut

[JonDuke]

An offensive threat, raising heck,
5 hole, top shelf; Goalies, he'll wreck.
Old school... Cassette's in the tape deck,
Wu-tang's pumping, best protect ya neck.
Always first class, just like an exec,
Check out that beard? Hair's triple sec.
Washington welcomes another fresh Czech,
Please say "welcome home", to Jake...

Spoiler!

Within minutes of the Washington Capitals announcing their most exciting signing to date, the Lincoln Memorial (which sits just 2.0 miles from the Verizon Center) had been dramatically transformed. Vice president Joe Biden joined Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser for the ceremony, and unveiled the newly re-designed Voracek Memorial, to honor what will truly be a remarkable tenure as a Capital.



Jakub was the highest scoring RW last season, coming in tied for 4th overall in NHL scoring with 81 points. In the CPHL, he scored a respectable 28 goals and 68 points.

Said Capitals GM JonDuke about what he sees in Voracek:

"Jakub is an explosive skater with dynamic offensive ability who is extremely strong on the puck and has great vision. He has a very good shot, but prefers the role of a setting up his line mates and is an outstanding puck distributor. With a strong defensive presence, he is very close to being the full package. With his durability (appearing in 78 games or more in every full scheduled season to date) the uphill trend of Voracek’s value hasn't even come close to apexing."

We had received many offers for #12 in the past 5 days since making our intentions (to move it) known. After stalled negotiations (see: my high demands), Washington reached out on their own for the deal they had envisioned all along. Chats with Winnipeg went extremely well, and Dammage79 was a breeze to PM with.

To Washington:
Voracek and 3.5 million for 2015

To Winnipeg:
12th overall
Valentin Zykov
Bill Arnold
PE Bellemare
Viktor Tikhonov
2016 3rd

We started this off-season confident that our back end could steal us a few games, but knew that we needed some help up front. So, we went out aggressively in search of those pieces. A few transactions later, and we are confident the steps taken will drastically improve our club. Losing #12 and Zykov was extremely tough on the future, but bringing back a player like Voracek dramatically changes our team for the better, and immediately so. We are excited to bring a new look, a new level of excitement and a new era of passionate hockey to the fans in Washington.

"Excited to come to Washington?", some have asked him.
Seems like he's going to let his selfie stick answer those questions.

[simmer2]

I'm always a fan of getting the best player in the deal and Voracek is definitely that.

[Slava]

Awesome write-up! Washington wins the deal based on that alone, although I hate those selfie-sticks, so maybe its a little more even.

[Swayze11]

I like the deal for Washington...unsure why cap needed to be sent with him. I think at best that 12 could be Voracek and I feel with the risk and time Winnipeg will need to wait, it is not enough.

[Da_Chief]

^Winnipeg sent you 6 mill in the Iggy deal. Same reason.

[Swayze11]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

^Winnipeg sent you 6 mill in the Iggy deal. Same reason.

Not at all. Iggy is 38 on a UFA grid, Voracek is 25 with multiple RFA deals left.

[JiriHrdina]

Not sure why that would matter. UFA status doesn't change how much money a guy is making this year - which is what you got the cap for.

[JonDuke]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

...unsure why cap needed to be sent with him...

I don't think I would have been able to afford him for this year without it.

I've never been through re-rates, or an FA season, and still don't know how much it'll cost me to sign Daley and my RFAs. Even after this, I'm still not sure I'll have enough to do what I want, but wanted to err on the side of caution just in case.

I have gone through last years re-rate grid prices to get a general idea, but still am very much in the dark to how that works until I go through at least one off season. That's why I asked for the cap.

[dammage79]

Give me all your Russian fowards!

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Give me all your Russian fowards!

Get in line newbie!

[JonDuke]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Give me all your Russian fowards!

Was kinda sad that Tikhonov was part of your asking price.
Will probably be even more sad about Zykov in a few years.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Give me all your Russian fowards!

I've got some good ones in my AHL. Let' talk.

[dammage79]

I'll my take on the trade from a Jets perspective.

The team that gets the best player in a trade always wins, that's true here. But depth is something the Jets did not have, a first round pick is something the Jets did not have and prospects, 6 or 7 in the ECHL and maybe, maybe two good ones. Zykov makes that three now.

Sending the cap still frees up space to sign UFA's/RFA's and having signed players instead of RFA's is helping.