NHL trade grade: Capitals hit grand slam with Kevin Shattenkirk

The Washington Capitals are officially all-in after the Kevin Shattenkirk trade. 

In case you missed it, late last night, the Washington Capitals traded for St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. It’s a huge trade for both sides. While the Blues begin a retooling phase, the Caps further improve the best team in the NHL.

Capitals Get

D Kevin Shattenkirk, G Pheonix Copley

Blues Get

2017 1st round pick, F Zach Sanford, F Brad Malone, conditional picks

Shattenkirk has 42 points in 61 games. He has 11 goals and 31 assists, both of which are top 10 among defensemen. Shattenkirk does most of his damage on the power play, accumulating seven goals and 13 assists on the man advantage. His plus-minus looks bad at -11, but it’s worth noting the Blues, until recently, had awful goaltending. Shattenkirk’s defense isn’t his calling card, but he’s excellent with the puck. He can make a huge impact offensively in a way very few defensemen can. Shattenkirk will be a free agent after this season.

The conditions of the trade are fairly complicated. Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post explains them quite well. Also, it’s worth noting the Blues are retaining 39 percent of Shattenkirk’s remaining contract to facilitate the trade.

Let’s look at the trade from both sides.

Capitals Hit Grand Slam

This is like the Golden State Warriors getting Kevin Durant. The Caps don’t need Shattenkirk at all. They already have a very deep team with John Carlson and Matt Niskanen on the right side. Washington already has the fifth best power play and scores the second most goals per game. They got the best rental player available without giving up a significant roster player.

Shattenkirk makes the power play even more lethal and their offense even more outlandish. Any concerns about his defense can be thrown out the window because reigning Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby will be in goal. Another important part of this trade is the Caps keep him away from the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, at least for the time being. If Shattenkirk, as expected, signs with the Rangers this offseason, his price just went up because he’s going to produce with the Caps. Washington now has outstanding blue line depth. If someone gets injured, they’d still have six quality defensemen.

There is, however, a major concern. How are the Capitals going to find time for all their defensemen? One can assume Kevin Shattenkirk won’t be on the first power play. He’ll only be on the second unit. But Shattenkirk should still make the second unit lethal. Also, who will sit if everyone’s healthy? Will it be Karl Alzner, Nate Schmidt or Brooks Orpik? But this is an excellent problem to have and one head coach Barry Trotz will enjoy.

Pheonix Copley was traded to the Blues in the T.J. Oshie trade. He gives the Capitals a solid third goalie option if something should happen to Holtby and Philip Grubauer.

Grade: A+. The Caps are going for a Stanley Cup. There is no such thing as an overpay for them.

Blues Get Questionable Return

Getting a first round pick (and likely more) for Shattenkirk is a nice return. However, Sanford is at best a third line or fourth line player in the NHL. It’s a bit disappointing the Blues couldn’t get more for the best available player. Giving up Copley hurts because Tage Thompson is the only player the Blues have left to show for trading Oshie.

St. Louis fans should be rooting hard for the Capitals — the better they do, the more draft picks St. Louis gets. This trade does nothing to solve their current issues, suggesting the Blues are embracing a retooling and potentially a rebuild. General Manager Doug Armstrong has been taken to the cleaners twice by Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan. That’s a bit concerning.

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Grade: C. If the Blues knew they had no shot at re-signing Kevin Shattenkirk, they should have traded him last offseason. Now they trade him and get no immediate help. In a vacuum, this trade is good for them. However, they could have done so much better.