Washington has horrible centre depth with Backstrom getting older and unable to stay healthy and Kuznetsov who has requested a trade. Hertl doesn't fit the timeline for a full San Jose rebuild, seven year contract for a 1st line centre man for a team that should be looking at acquiring prospect and draft capitol.

San Jose stocks up on three high draft picks, an alright prospect while taking on Kuznetsov's contract who wont put up huge numbers but will still play.

Washington continues the win now while we have Ovechkin mentality while screwing over their already weak prospect pool. Washington shouldn't make this trade ever but they might while they still have Ovechkin and want to win.