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NHL Draft 2018: 15 first-hand takeaways from a weekend in Dallas

By Josh Clark

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: The entry draft logo is seen during the second day of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 23: The entry draft logo is seen during the second day of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 07: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 and won the series four games to one. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 07: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Washington Capitals hoists the Stanley Cup after Game Five of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 and won the series four games to one. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

2. Early movement

Going into the draft, the majority of the hockey world expected the weekend to be filled with lots of movement. Trades, contract extensions, and rumors on players like John Tavares and Ilya Kovalchuk set the stage for an incredibly interesting weekend.

And before the draft even kicked off with the Sabres, a big move went down. The Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche struck a deal just moments before the draft clock started.

The Caps sent goaltender Philipp Grubauer and defenseman Brooks Orpik to the Avalanche in exchange for a second-round draft pick (47th overall).

At first glance, it seems as though the Avalanche won this trade by a long shot. The Avs picked up a veteran defender (though they intend to buy him out) and an elite backup goaltender who was ready for a starting role and is expected to be the face of Colorado’s crease down the road.

But on the other hand, the Capitals got what they wanted as well, being flexibility with their cap space.

After winning their first ever Stanley Cup, the Caps had an extensive list of free agents to negotiate with and make decisions on. At the top of the list sat defenseman John Carlson, who finished fifth in Norris Trophy voting this past season. He was a main priority for Washington, but their cap space was limited and they needed to make some room.

They did so in the trade. The Caps opened up around $7 million in space by trading the two players away and found a way to sign Carlson on Sunday afternoon to a long-term deal.

So, in other words, it turned out to be a win-win.

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