StevieInferior
February-18th-2004, 12:25 PM
The Washington Capitals traded winger Peter Bondra, the franchise leader in virtually all offensive categories, to the Ottawa Senators today in exchange for center Brooks Laich and a second-round pick in the 2005 draft.
Bondra, 36, who was on pace to become the Capitals leader in games played next month, had hoped to play his entire career for Washington but was being pursued heavily by several teams, the Senators among them.
The Capitals have been seeking to trade high-price veterans to trim salary and acquire younger players as part of a rebuilding process. Laich, 20, was playing well in Ottawa's minor-league system this season, with 15 goals and 33 points in 44 games. He has played only one NHL game since being drafted 193rd overall by the Senators in 2001.
"This is an extremely difficult trade for the organization," Capitals General Manger George McPhee said. "We worked hard to make sure that he went to a team that could win the Stanley Cup this year. We wish Peter and his family all the best."
Bondra, a native of Slovakia, had played for the Capitals exclusively since being drafted in 1990. He is among the most popular players in franchise history and was one of few players on the team to make his year-round home in the Washington area. His children were raised in Washington, and he spoke frequently about his goal to lead the Capitals to the Stanley Cup, although the team is several years away from contending at this point.
The trade comes weeks after Washington dealt five-time NHL scoring champion Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers, and more moves are expected before the March 9 trading deadline. Among the Capitals being pursued by other clubs are goalie Olaf Kolzig, defenseman Sergei Gonchar, center Robert Lang and center Michael Nylander.
It is possible that Bondra could return to Washington next season. There is a player option attached to his contract for 2004-2005 worth $4.5 million, and sources said the Senators are highly unlikely to exercise that option. Thus, Bondra would become an unrestricted free agent in July.
Laich, a Canadian who is 6-2, 200 pounds, scored 94 points in junior hockey last year.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51172-2004Feb18.html
Bondra, 36, who was on pace to become the Capitals leader in games played next month, had hoped to play his entire career for Washington but was being pursued heavily by several teams, the Senators among them.
The Capitals have been seeking to trade high-price veterans to trim salary and acquire younger players as part of a rebuilding process. Laich, 20, was playing well in Ottawa's minor-league system this season, with 15 goals and 33 points in 44 games. He has played only one NHL game since being drafted 193rd overall by the Senators in 2001.
"This is an extremely difficult trade for the organization," Capitals General Manger George McPhee said. "We worked hard to make sure that he went to a team that could win the Stanley Cup this year. We wish Peter and his family all the best."
Bondra, a native of Slovakia, had played for the Capitals exclusively since being drafted in 1990. He is among the most popular players in franchise history and was one of few players on the team to make his year-round home in the Washington area. His children were raised in Washington, and he spoke frequently about his goal to lead the Capitals to the Stanley Cup, although the team is several years away from contending at this point.
The trade comes weeks after Washington dealt five-time NHL scoring champion Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers, and more moves are expected before the March 9 trading deadline. Among the Capitals being pursued by other clubs are goalie Olaf Kolzig, defenseman Sergei Gonchar, center Robert Lang and center Michael Nylander.
It is possible that Bondra could return to Washington next season. There is a player option attached to his contract for 2004-2005 worth $4.5 million, and sources said the Senators are highly unlikely to exercise that option. Thus, Bondra would become an unrestricted free agent in July.
Laich, a Canadian who is 6-2, 200 pounds, scored 94 points in junior hockey last year.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51172-2004Feb18.html