Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. (Steve Mitchell/Associated Press)It’s not often in professional sports that the home team has the chance to keep the best player on the visiting team after the game, but that might be the case this afternoon if the Capitals can make the right impression on the Florida Panthers. Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester is an emerging star. He plays defense well, passes the puck well and scores goals. All year, Florida has tried to secure a long-term contract to keep him in a Panthers uniform. But this week, the Panthers’ general manager said he is actively considering trades for the All-Star.
Wednesday is the NHL’s trade deadline; after that date, teams can only bring in players from their own developmental system until after their season ends. Just like last year, league-wide media perception of the Capitals is that they should try to add a tough, talented, veteran defenseman to assist in their playoff push. Last year, that deal was not available, but the Caps added center Sergei Fedorov, goalie Cristobal Huet and winger Matt Cooke. All three helped them make the playoffs and extend the Philadelphia Flyers to seven games before bowing out.
This year, the Caps have held on to Fedorov, signed goalie (and Paris Hilton fan) Jose Theodore to a reasonable free agent contract, and steadily developed the offensive skills of forwards Eric Fehr and David Steckel — so the needs they addressed at last year’s deadline are mostly filled. Because of these strengths, the Caps now stand second in the East, with an undefeated record against the first place Boston Bruins. The biggest need that remains for the Caps is the one that’s been there all along: the need for a second great defenseman to compliment Mike Green along the blueline.
Of the three world–class defensemen available this year, Bouwmeester is the youngest by more than a decade and the only one whose brightest years are still ahead of him. The Caps have players and prospects they could trade who would help Florida succeed this year and in the future.
A match made in heaven, right?
