It is time for a little NHL Trade Analysis as Philipp Grubauer has been traded from Washington to Colorado. The entire deal consists of Brooks Orpik and Grubauer heading to the Avalanche for a second-round pick (47th) tonight. This serves the needs of both teams adequately. Let’s dig into the impacts.
What It Means For Colorado
Grubauer brings insurance at the very least for the oft-injured Semyon Varlamov. The former Washington goalie turned some heads with his numbers the last two seasons. This season, he finished with a 15-10-3 record, a 2.35 GAA, and .923 save percentage. More critically, Grubauer ended the season with seven wins in his final nine starts. That clinched a division for Washington and earned him a start in the first two games of the playoffs. The goalie takes that experience with him and is expected to sign a bridge deal.
Colorado again faces a situation where Varlamov is likely the 1A coming in but up against a 1B who has again shown the ability to make a run. It is that time of limbo that creates uncertainty from a fantasy standpoint. From a NHL trade analysis viewpoint, it means Colorado will not expect much of a drop-off from Varlamov to Grubauer.
Then, there is Brooks Orpik. Orpik tossed into the deal is interesting because he has one year, $5.5 million cap hit left. This keeps him as an attractive buyout candidate. As Pierre LeBrun just noted…
The Avs intend to either trade Orpik and if they can’t find a trade partner, they will probably buy him out… Colorado has already spoken to Grubauer’s agent as well. He’s RFA. Contract shouldn’t be an issue. https://t.co/t9RaWfCbU6
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 22, 2018
Again, it is part of why the ultimate price for the goalie was lower. Washington added a condition to the deal. Colorado still carries a ton of cap space (almost $22 million) and that number will inch up as free agency approaches.
What It Means For Washington
Simply, freeing up salary cap space and gaining the second-round pick was a bonus. All that, just to shed Orpik’s cap hit and save money to sign John Carlson. Washington possesses three second-round picks, which is great flexibility. Also, they now have a bit over $21 million in cap space to sign other players as well. Tom Wilson needs to be signed, as well along with several other players. This should free up enough space to keep Andre Burakovsky too. It will be close and depend on how much cap room Washington needs before the season starts.
The Capitals must find a backup goalie between Pheonix Copley and Ilya Samsonov. It’s plausible that they could go another route. They still may have to sign a sixth defenseman as well depending on how free agency goes (and a fifth also). After that, the rest of their RFA’s and UFA’s should be easily signed. There looms one possible exception. Jay Beagle signing elsewhere could occur. That rumor keeps persisting so it is one to eyeball as July 1 approaches.
Into The Weekend
Colorado expects to be more solidified in net and may not be done yet making moves. Washington could be in the same boat. This paves the way for potentially more trades.