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NHL trade: Capitals acquire goaltender Eddie Pasquale from Winnipeg on draft day

By Satchel Price

Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; A general view of the complete draft board after the completion of the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Capitals added some depth for the future during the draft on Friday, acquiring 23-year-old goaltender Eddie Pasquale from the Winnipeg Jets, as Pro Hockey Talk reports.

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Along with Pasquale, Washington landed the No. 159 pick, used on high school center prospect Steve Spinner out of Minnesota, in the trade. The Jets got three selections from the Caps — No. 164 and No. 192 this year, plus with a seventh-rounder in the future.

Pasquale has spent his entire career in the Jets organization, having been drafted by the team back in 2009 during the Atlanta Thrashers days. The past three seasons, he played for the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps, earning All-Rookie team honors in 2011-12 after leading the team to an impressive playoff run.

Last season, Pasquale played in 31 games for St. John’s, posting a 17-13-1 record with a .920 save percentage and 2.43 GAA. The Toronto native set a career-high for save percentage in 2013-14.

It’s unclear whether Washington will send Pasquale to their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, or give him a shot at becoming the backup to Braden Holtby, but he’ll likely get his shot with the big club sooner or later. Still fairly young, he could end up proving valuable in the future for a franchise that’s long searched for consistent options in goal.

The Capitals still don’t have a solid backup behind Holtby after trading Michal Neuvirth and allowing Jaroslav Halak to hit free agency this offseason. Clearly, they’re looking to add some pieces at that position entering Barry Trotz’s first season running the show.

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