The Washington Capitals took steps forward on Monday at the 2022 trade deadline as they looked to ensure that they had proper forward depth ahead of a Stanley Cup playoff run. Many thought they would look to bring in goaltending but ultimately decided to stick with their current duo and focus on building up the bottom-six forward group. The first trade they made saw them reunite a familiar face in Marcus Johansson, but the second player they acquired later on from the Arizona Coyotes stands out.
Trade Breakdown
The Washington Capitals and general manager Brian MacLellan could strike a deal with the Arizona Coyotes that brought the fourth-line forward Johan Larsson to the nation’s capital. Arizona agreed to retain 50 percent of his salary. In exchange for acquiring the forward, the Capitals sent a 2023 third-round pick to Arizona, which may seem steep, but after breaking down, Larsson’s defensive analytics is a fair price to pay for what he will bring to this team. The key takeaway from the trade is that no prospects were lost, and it was only a third-round pick that acquired a proven ten-year NHL veteran that will instantly help with a playoff run.
What Does Larsson Bring to the Caps?
Johan Larsson is a defense-first forward that will slide into Washington’s fourth line and instantly make them better, especially with Carl Hagelin on LTIR and Nic Dowd missing some time due to a lower-body issue. Larsson is also dealing with an injury as he recovers from a sports hernia surgery but will be good to go once he arrives in DC. The offensive upside is nonexistent as he has only scored double-digit goals once in his career, and that was during the 2015-2016 season. Another usefulness of having Larsson on the roster is that he can be versatile as he can play both center and wing, making him a key asset if injuries start popping up in the playoffs.
