Photo: Bleacher Report
The Washington Capitals traded forward Chandler Stephenson to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the team announced on Monday night.
NEWS | Capitals acquire a fifth round pick in the 2021 NHL entry daft from Vegas for Chandler Stephenson. https://t.co/B9EO7afq0Z
— Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) December 3, 2019
Stephenson, 25, was held out of the Capitals’ practice at SAP Center in San Jose on Monday afternoon because of a pending roster transaction, according to Capitals’ senior writer Mike Vogel.
With center Nicklas Backstrom, who has missed the past five games with a lower-body injury, and forward Carl Hagelin, who has missed the past 11 games with an upper-body injury, set to return against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday night (10:30 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington), the Capitals need to make a move to stay under the NHL salary cap. They currently have $2.65 million available but need $2.75 million to activate Hagelin off of long-term injured reserve.
Stephenson, 25, has posted three goals, four points, and a +5 rating in 24 games this season after signing a one-year, $1.05 million contract as a restricted free agent on July 27. He can become a restricted free agent again on July 1.
The Capitals currently have 21 players on the roster. The maximum they could have is 22 but they do not have the room to carry that many with their current salary cap situation.
The Capitals selected Stephenson 77th overall in the 2012 NHL Draft. In 168 career regular-season games with the Capitals, Stephenson has 14 goals, 33 points, and a +2 rating. He posted two goals, seven points, and a +3 rating during the team’s run to the Stanley Cup in 2018. In 180 career AHL games, all with the Hershey Bears, Stephenson recorded 30 goals, 87 points, and a +4 rating.
Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee drafted Stephenson when he was GM of the Capitals.
More From The Capitals
The Washington Capitals have acquired a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft from the Vegas Golden Knights for forward Chandler Stephenson, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Stephenson, 25, registered four points (3g, 1a) in 24 games with the Capitals this season. The 6’0″, 208-pound forward has recorded 33 points (14g, 19a) in 168 games with the Capitals. He was drafted by Washington with the Capitals’ third round pick, 77th overall, in the 2012 NHL Draft.
By Harrison Brown
Tom Wilson loses another close friend to a trade. Burakovsky traded before the season. DSP let go. Connolly left in free agency. And now Stevenson gets traded.
Thank you, Chandler!
A 5th round pick in return is a joke. We knew a move was needed but waited until last minute to make a deal. Team knew GMBM was in a pinch.
A fifth round pick for a 3/4 line player who doesnt produce many points isnt bad. Not a bad return for a 3rd round pick. Think that he was picked up to replace eakin who is a UFA after this season. That way Vegas keeps a 3/4 line center and someone who is very good on the penalty kill and doesnt miss a beat when Eakin is gone.
Sad to see Chandler go BUT similar type player to Boyd and just not producing, salary cap issues and still a RFA at the end of this year. Shame to lose him and have to keep Hagelin and Panik. had high hopes for him but then again so did I have them for Sanford who was traded and he is still not a big point producer. Hpe that Chandler does well in Vegas except when it comes to playing the Caps.
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