Fansided

Five teams that should trade for Dustin Byfuglien

By David Rouben

Feb 2, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) chases a loose puck with Dallas Stars right wing Valeri Nichushkin (43) during the third period at MTS Centre. Dallas wins 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33) chases a loose puck with Dallas Stars right wing Valeri Nichushkin (43) during the third period at MTS Centre. Dallas wins 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers in the third period at Verizon Center. The Panthers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers in the third period at Verizon Center. The Panthers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

1: Washington Capitals

Pick your poison with the Capitals. They can burn you offensively with elite scorers like Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov – both of whom are top five in the league in goals and points. Scoring on them is just as hard with Braden Holtby (or rather Holt-beast) playing like the frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy.

However, they still need to improve their defense – particularly with injuries to key contributors such as Orpik and Carlson. They need someone who can help ease the pressure off Holtby and provide cover.

The Caps have had to rely on Dmitri Orlov and Taylor Chorney for minutes recently, and that Matt Niskanen contract is getting worse by the day. Carlson is making his way back from injury but still isn’t 100 percent, but a top pairing of him and Byfuglien would make Washington an absolute force to be reckoned with.

Washington’s first-round pick wouldn’t be very high considering they sit at the top of the standings and project to finish in the conference finals at worst. To pull off this deal, they could offer the Jets Marcus Johansson – who’s set to become an unrestricted free agent after this year – cash, and a top prospect like Jakub Vrana.

All stats obtained from NHL.com. All cap information obtained from General Fanager.

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