Who adds what?
Joined: Jul. 2017
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Let's look at this from an opportunity cost perspective: if the Caps trade and take on Erik Karlsson, it reduces the odds of John Carlson re-signing in Washington next year. Is Karlsson slightly better as a two way player? Most years, yes. Sure. But two first round picks, Burakovsky, and Carlson better? You're giving up four first round picks to kind of tweak one of them around the edges.
Pass.
Now, if Ottawa wants to trade and extend John Carlson, the Caps would happily throw in a little more to get Karlsson, and not have to worry about losing Carlson for nothing next summer.
Before there was a salary cap, the Ducks and Wings each made a habbit of stacking three #1 RHD at the deadline for the playoffs. It worked pretty well some years. In the salary cap era, I think the Caps need a #2LHD more than they need a third #1 RHD.
Trades for Green and Karlsson are cool from a total talent perspective, but in terms of team needs, they want someone who can rival Dimitry Orlov for time on the left side of their top pairing.
Frankly, as unglamorous as it sounds, the Senators defenseman the Caps are more likely interested in is Dion Phaneuf.
I'd rather they get OEL, or Duncan Keith, but realistically...