ESPN: Lang traded to Detroit

[Posse81]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1745956

By ESPN.com news services
The Detroit Red Wings have acquired center Robert Lang, one of the NHL's leading scorers, from the Washington Capitals for prospect Tomas Fleischmann, a first-round pick in 2004 and a fourth-round pick in 2006.


Lang, who is tied for the league scoring lead with 74 points, signed a five-year, $25-million contract with the Capitals when he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2002.


"We could not have asked for more from Robert Lang over the past two seasons, he has been a terrific player for our club and we consider him as the best free-agent signing in the team's history," Washington GM George McPhee said in a prepared statement. "We have given Robert a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup while adding a good young player and two valuable draft choices to our organization. We wish Robert and his family all the best."


Lang is the third high-profile player to be traded from Washington this season. The Capitals traded Jaromir Jagr to the New York Rangers on January 23 and shipped Peter Bondra, their all-time leading scorer, to the Ottawa Senators on February 18.

[RDSCNZ20]

thought it was Kenard Lang.....lol

[Funkyalligator]

Hmmmm...seems like a decent prospect....now all we have to do is get rid of Carter.....Witt, Kolzig and Gonchar...then we can start rebuilding........hopefully we will get a ton of prospects in return for these guys.....we certainly don't need any more goalies though....

[BleedB&G4life]

Originally posted by RDSCNZ20
thought it was Kenard Lang.....lol

You're not alone. Oh Robert Lang he was the Caps best player this season but, I guess it's just business.

[Sebowski]

I have a bad feeling the Caps are about to enter Bullets/Wizards territory. Medicore at best for the next decade:gus: What happened here?

[Skins24]

Originally posted by Sebowski
I have a bad feeling the Caps are about to enter Bullets/Wizards territory. Medicore at best for the next decade:gus: What happened here?
I was thinking the same thing.

I know they're in rebuilding mode but man....

[BayouBrave86]

Nah the Caps got a very talented young player in Fleischmann. I would say the Caps won this trade hands down. They get a good prospect, 1st rounder, and 4th rounder all for a 33 year old who is having a career year that is due 5 mil a year. I can't wait to see what Witt and Gonchar get the Caps in return in the next week or so. Gonchar should bring in a TON of return. Hopefully the Caps will get last place this year and draft Ovechkin, and with Detroit's pick, pick a gritty defenseman. Maybe get Ernskie from Dallas for Witt and Coca-Cola(can't spell his full name) from Toronto along with Stajan and Antropov! This team is going to be stacked for the future. If most of this talent pans out, the Caps will be very good in 3-4 years.

[Funkyalligator]

I agree with you Warpath....I do hope they get Ovechin....we have the second ranked prospects and after these recent trades we will have the number 1. We do need more Defense though....we have the best goalie in the minor league in Ouellet...and we have Stana and Charpentier.....Hopefully while trading away Gonchar and Witt we will pick-up some good D prospects and some 1st Rounders....I am also hoping that we can trade Kolzig too...especially with the above mentioned goalie depth......

[DSF]

Originally posted by Funkyalligator
Hmmmm...seems like a decent prospect....now all we have to do is get rid of Carter.....Witt, Kolzig and Gonchar...then we can start rebuilding........hopefully we will get a ton of prospects in return for these guys.....we certainly don't need any more goalies though....

Leonsis is clearly money for the potential lock out coming.. We dont need to get rid of Carter because he is in the last year of his contract.

However, with that being said.. If someone is willing to give up a 1st or 2nd round pick for him. I'd jump all over it if I were the Caps because they have little interest in re-signing him after this year as well.

So yeah, be a good move if we do... But its not vital if we dont since it wont cost Leonsis any more money after this season.

[AmaniToomer81]

capitals are in a fire sale mode now

[Bugs']

I don't think the Caps will ever sink to the depths that the Bullets/Wizards have. I agree that we have a good, young nucleus to our team and our minor leagues are starting to produce good players like Semin and Eminger. Add this with all the picks that we will have once we trade Witt, Kolzig, and Gonchar with the picks we already have we should be in good shape. But we need some of these prospects to pan out like they did in Tampa Bay. But don't worry we will never sink to wear the Wizards are. I really believe our turn-around won't be that long and I can see us in the playoffs in 1-2 years.:hump: