Is a veteran defenseman on his way out in Washington, paving the way for a highly anticipated prospect? The NHL trade deadline is fast approaching, and while many are focused on the Capitals potentially making a big splash for a top-six forward, a new rumor suggests a significant defensive move might be on the horizon.
According to seasoned hockey insider Frank Seravalli, the Washington Capitals are reportedly "likely to move on" from their veteran defenseman, Trevor van Riemsdyk (TVR). This potential shift comes as the team anticipates the arrival of promising young talent, Cole Hutson, who is expected to make the jump to the NHL once his collegiate season at Boston University concludes.
But here's where it gets interesting... TVR has been a fixture on the Capitals' blue line for six seasons, having joined the team as a free agent before the 2020-21 season. He's played the most games of his career with Washington, a total of 366 games, surpassing his previous stints with the Carolina Hurricanes and Chicago Blackhawks.
Last season, TVR was a constant presence, playing in all 82 games. However, this current season has seen him in and out of the lineup, often finding himself as a healthy scratch. In the 47 games he has played, the 34-year-old blueliner has contributed eight points (2 goals, 6 assists). His average ice time per game has also seen a dip to 15:32, the lowest it's been during his tenure with the Caps.
And this is the part most people miss... The driving force behind this potential move appears to be the imminent arrival of Cole Hutson. Seravalli highlights Hutson as the key factor, with the 2024 second-round pick poised to join the Capitals as soon as mid-March. Hutson has been a standout for Boston University, leading the team in scoring with 28 points (9 goals, 18 assists) in 31 games. While TVR is a right-handed shot, Hutson is a left-handed defenseman. Interestingly, the Capitals might already be adapting to this. With John Carlson sidelined by injury, Rasmus Sandin, another lefty, has been playing on his off-side (the right side) for the past three games, even registering three points (1 goal, 2 assists) in the first two of those contests.
TVR currently carries a $3 million cap hit for this season and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this coming July.
Now, over to you: Do you think the Capitals should prioritize making room for a young prospect like Hutson, even if it means moving on from a seasoned player like TVR? Or is there value in keeping veteran experience on the blue line as they push for a playoff spot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
