Photo: Los Angeles Times

The Washington Capitals acquired forward Carl Hagelin from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the team announced on Thursday afternoon, after the team placed forward Devante Smith-Pelly on waivers to make room to get Hagelin on Wednesday. The 30-year old can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

“We are pleased to welcome Carl to our organization. We felt this trade enables us to add depth up front and provides us with a veteran player with a tremendous amount of speed to help us on the penalty kill.” – GM Brian MacLellan https://t.co/RnSYsSWYjE

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 21, 2019

The Kings will retain half of his $3.75 million cap hit. Hagelin, 30, was acquired in a trade that sent forward Tanner Pearson to the Pittsburgh Penguins in November. They will get the sixth-round pick if the Capitals advance past the second round and Hagelin plays in at least half of the team’s playoff games.

In 38 games with the Penguins and Kings this season, Hagelin has only two goals, eight points, and an even rating, including only one goal, five points, and a -2 rating in 22 games with the Kings.

In 526 career games with the Kings, Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, and New York Rangers, he has 90 goals, 230 points, and a +83 rating.

His team has played the Capitals in every postseason that Washington has made the playoffs since he entered the league in 2011-12. He was on both of the Penguins teams that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. In addition, he has been to the Conference Final a combined five times with the Rangers and Penguins.

In 121 career playoff games, Hagelin has 22 goals, 47 points, and a +7 rating, including six goals, 16 points, and a +9 rating in 24 playoff games while on the “HBK Line” with forward Phil Kessel and center Nick Bonino during the Stanley Cup run in 2016.

Hagelin adds speed and another strong penalty killer that could help the Capitals as they are currently 22nd in the NHL with an efficiency of 78.4% and look to make another deep playoff run.

Capitals’ head coach Todd Reirden said that Hagelin won’t be available when the team visits the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at 7 PM ET but is expected to play on Saturday afternoon when they visit the Buffalo Sabres at 1 PM ET.

The Capitals have until Monday at 3 PM ET to make any other moves they wish to make before the NHL Trade Deadline.

By Harrison Brown