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For the second straight February, Daniel Winnik has been traded by the Toronto Maple Leafs to a team heading to the postseason.
Late Sunday night, the Leafs and Washinton Capitals executed a deal that sends Winnik and a 2016 fifth-round pick to Toronto for the recently-waived Brooks Laich, defenseman Connor Carrick and a 2016 second-round pick.
“Daniel is a versatile player who plays with grit and can be used in all situations,” Capitals GM Brian MacLellan said. “This move enables us to add some depth to our forward group and balances our lineup. We would like to thank Brooks for all of his contributions to our organization over the past 10 years. Brooks is a true professional and we wish him all the best in the future.”
Laich has played 741 of his 742 career NHL games with the Capitals since coming over in the Peter Bondra trade in 2003. The Capitals waived the veteran on Saturday, with MacLellan continuing to choose business over loyalty in his decision-making as GM.
(The Leafs visit the Capitals on Wednesday, so Laich won’t have to wait long for a homecoming.)
Toronto continues to add second-round picks. With this trade, they still have 12 total in the upcoming draft, but now possess four in the second round, per General Fanager.
So, on the Milbury Scale:
ONE MILBURY. The Capitals can now add a little over $2.2 million in a cap hit by Monday’s 3 p.m. trade deadline and now no longer need to make a move when John Carlson returns from injury. The Leafs, meanwhile, take on an upcoming RFA and will see Laich’s $4.5 million cap hit come off their books in the summer of 2017. Not to mention another second round pick and they keep stockpiling assets for their rebuild,
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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