Capitals Ship Clark, Jurcina to Blue Jackets for Chimera

The Washington Capitals announced today that they have traded right wing and team captain Chris Clark and defenseman Milan Jurcina to the Columbus Blue Jackets for left wing Jason Chimera. In 38 games so far this season, Clark has four goals and 11 assists for 15 points, while Jurcina has played in 27 games, scoring four assists. Chimera has appeared in 39 games this season, scoring eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. Not a bad trade for both teams, but not an earth-shattering one by any means, although it's not too often you see a team trade their captain during the middle of a season. However, this move trims a little over $2 million from the Capitals' payroll, so this could be the prelude to a later trade for the team, as they could be in the market for a top-four defenseman. The Capitals could also use this extra salary cap space toward re-sign impending restricted free agents Nicklas Backstrom and Tomas Fleischmann. For the Blue Jackets, this trade was likely done to help pull the team out of their current losing skid, though it will likely take more than Clark and Jurcina to get the Blue Jackets back on a winning track. Chimera will bring plenty of gritty, two-way play to the Capitals' checking line, while Clark brings plenty of leadership and offensive depth to the Blue Jackets' offense. Jurcina brings plenty of defensive depth to Columbus' blueline which is currently without Rostislav Klesla and Marc Methot due to injuries.