The deal
Washington Capitals get: T.J. Oshie
St. Louis Blues get: Troy Brouwer, Pheonix Copley, 2016 third-round pick
Washington Capitals: B+
The Capitals used to suffer from a bit of an identity problem, but that isn’t an issue now as general manager Brian MacLellan continues to revamp this roster while coach Barry Trotz shapes the culture in Washington. They’ve been a great duo, and this is just the latest move that sets the Capitals up nicely in that regard.
In Oshie, they get a player with high-end skill and a passion for the game that Trotz will really appreciate. Teammates love him, so he’ll fit seamlessly into a dressing room that appeared to be closer last season than in previous campaigns.
“Great personality,” texted one NHL coach following the trade. “Very good professional. Practices the right way ... passionate about the game, enthusiastic.”
Another coach echoed that sentiment.
“Like his attitude. Like the way he works, low maintenance guy,” said the coach.
“One of my favorites,” texted a Western Conference pro scout.
So he’ll fit the culture they’re developing in Washington. The question becomes how much will he produce offensively? He has great hands, but he's eclipsed 20 goals in only one season out of seven. In 30 career playoff games, he has just five goals. Oshie may not have been the main problem in the postseason for a St. Louis team that struggled offensively, but he definitely wasn’t the solution, either.
“Great hands,” texted another source. “Skating hurts him. If the game was played in a phone booth, he’d be the best player in the NHL.”
He’s still just 28 years old, and is signed at a reasonable cap hit of $4.175 million per season through 2016-17, according to war-on-ice.com.
St. Louis Blues: B
It was time for Blues GM Doug Armstrong to shake up the core, and this trade definitely does it. The problem is that the ideal return would be a player who can solve the Blues' offensive issues in the playoffs, and Brouwer hasn’t that been that kind of player since winning the Stanley Cup in 2010 with the Blackhawks.
In his past 42 playoffs games, he has just three goals.
Still, he’s been more consistent offensively during the regular season over the course of his career than Oshie, with 46 total goals the past two seasons with the Capitals.
“I like the way Brouwer plays,” said one coach. “They’re two different types of players. It’s a question of what fills your needs.”
The key in this deal for St. Louis is goalie Pheonix Copley. According to a source, the Blues insisted he be a part of the trade. He’s exactly the kind of goalie that Caps goalie coach Mitch Korn usually molds into an NHL starter. In 26 AHL games, he had a .925 save percentage, and at 6-foot-3, he’s got the size you want in an NHL goalie.
“I like him,” texted an NHL goalie coach. “Good athleticism. Needs some work on his rebound control but he has potential. Could play a bit bigger at times.”
It’s quite possible that Oshie and Brouwer are a wash, and the 23-year-old Copley is what puts this deal over the top for the Blues. But if that happens, it won’t be for a few years.