Capitals Acquire Defenseman Michal Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks

kempy In need of some NHL-ready defensive depth with two rookies (Madison Bowey and Christian Djoos) playing in their top four, the Washington Capitals acquired defenseman Michal Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday afternoon.

Kempny, 27, has one goal and seven points in 31 games with the Blackhawks. He can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. He currently carries a $900,000 cap hit. He will wear number 6 for the Caps.

NEWS | #Caps acquire defenseman Michal Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a third round draft pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. #ALLCAPS

More info: https://t.co/4zhkLI3484 pic.twitter.com/gdYEuLk85F

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 19, 2018

Washington will send their 2018 third-round pick to Chicago in return for Kempny. Washington acquired a third-round pick as part of the Marcus Johansson trade with New Jersey. The pick was originally Toronto’s and still have their own third-round pick in the upcoming draft in June. Chicago will acquire the higher pick according to NBC Sports Washington’s Tarik El-Bashir.

The Capitals have been looking for a defenseman since Nate Schmidt was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft. He was expected to slide in a top-four role next to John Carlson with Karl Alzner and Kevin Shattenkirk leaving in free agency.

Kempy will now likely slide beside Carlson on the second-pairing and that will force one of Djoos, who has three goals and 13 points in 49 games this season, or Bowey, who has 10 points, all assists out of the lineup. Kempny was on the second pairing with defenseman Connor Murphy in Chicago.

A look at Michal Kempy’s three-career @NHL goals including one outdoors at the Winter Classic. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/nvyP0JGLh4

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 19, 2018

In 81 career NHL games, Kempny has recorded 15 points (3g, 12a) and 34 penalty minutes. Kempny was signed by the Blackhawks as a free agent on May 23, 2016. Prior to joining the Blackhawks, Kempny recorded 60 points (21g, 39a) in 213 games with the Czech League.

Kempny’s plus-13 rating leads all Chicago skaters this season.

He played his last game as a Blackhawks against the Capitals and tallied an assist and a plus-2 rating on Saturday. Chicago won the game 7-1 at the United Center.

The Capitals may also be forced to put Taylor Chorney, who has not seen much action this season, on waivers. He can become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He has one goal and four points in 24 games this season.

He will join defensemen Chorney, Bowey, John Carlson, center Jay Beagle, winger Alex Chiasson as the Capitals who can become unrestricted free agents July 1. The Capitals re-signed center Lars Eller to a five-year contract worth $17.5 million ($3.5 million AAV) on February 10. He could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Kempny will most likely not join the Capitals for their 3:00 match against the Buffalo Sabres but could be in the lineup when the Capitals take on the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning at Capital One Arena tomorrow night.

The NHL Trade Deadline is a week from today at 3 PM eastern time so Capitals’ GM Brian MacLellan will get an opportunity this week to see what holes the Capitals need to fill before then.

By Harrison Brown

About Harrison Brown

Harrison is a diehard Caps fan and a hockey fanatic with a passion for sports writing. He attended his first game at age 8 and has been a season ticket holder since the 2010-2011 season. His fondest Caps memory was watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and hanging out with his two dogs. Follow Harrison on Twitter @HarrisonB927077

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