Dennis Wideman Traded To Capitals

To Washington Capitals:
Dennis Wideman 









To Florida Panthers :
Jake Hauswirth 
Third-Round Pick in the 2011 draft

REVIEW:

The Capitals get a talented offensive defenseman that will do a good job on the Power Play. So far this year he has 33 points and he has been strong in the offensive zone but one really troubling stat is he has a minus-26 rating. Even though the Panthers have struggled this season, that plus/minus is horrific so it bears watching with the Caps. Another issue raised by this trade, is the fact that the style of play that Wideman brings to the table is a bit redundant in the Capitals system. But, with Mike Green out with a potentially long term injury, Wideman can effectively fill that role until Green returns. A major plus to this deal is that the Capitals didn't have to give up anything too big of value for him. The 23 year old borderline prospect, Jake Hauswirth, was sent to the Panthers. Hauswirth is a big 6'5 Center that has been toiling in the ECHL and has put up only 14 points in 37 games. As of right now, it doesn't seem like he has much of an NHL future. Also coming with him, is a 3rd round draft pick for this year. The 3rd round pick was the main piece coming back to the Panthers as they look to re-build their club.

Short-Term Winner: Capitals, they get a solid top 4 defenseman for basically a 3rd round draft pick. The fact that they could add without subtracting any current roster players is a good thing.

Long-Term Winner: Capitals, Wideman is young at just 27 and they gave up a non-prospect in Hauswirth and a 3rd round draft pick which is obviously not a give-in to produce an NHL player.