CAPS LAND WIDEMAN FOR PROSPECT, PICK
The Washington Capitals acquired defenseman Dennis Wideman from the Florida Panthers for center Jake Hauswirth and a third-round pick in the 2011 draft.
What does it give the Washington Capitals
This move perhaps signals bad news on the Mike Green injury front, since Wideman plays a similar game. If everyone is healthy, Wideman should play on Washington's third pairing and see some time on the second power-play unit. He adds depth, but isn't anything the Caps didn't already have in Green and young John Carlson. That said, they didn't give up much to land Wideman here, as Hauswirth is a marginal prospect. So, it's more about the third rounder in 2011. This move by GM George McPhee looks awfully similar to his Joe Corvo acquisition last year.
What does it give the Florida Panthers
This is essentially a salary dump by the Panthers, but it's also an indication that GM Dale Tallon was eager to get rid of Wideman--who underachieved in his first season in South Florida. Hauswirth is a big body who may wind up as a bottom-six forward candidate with the Panthers. The key to the deal for Florida, however, is the third-round pick for this rebuilding franchise. Without Wideman and the recently-departed Bryan McCabe, the Panthers will now turn to youth along the blueline. Dmitry Kulikov will be asked to step up his offensive game, and Keaton Ellerby figures to play regularly from now on.
Fantasy impact
