Blackhawks Send Brouwer to Washington

			2010-2011 NHL Statistics				July 1st Status
To Washington	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Years	Cap Hit
Troy Brouwer	F	25	79	17	19	36	0	RFA
--------------------------
To Chicago	Position	Age	GP	G	A	P	Years	Cap Hit
2011 1st Round Draft Pick

The Washington Capitals decided their 1st round pick in the 2011 draft would be better used by getting a little bit more experienced and a little bit more gritty, trading it to the Chicago Blackhawks for depth forward Troy Brouwer.

Brouwer has been a key figure on a decent Blackhawks team over the past few seasons and since he has become a restricted free agent, there may have been an idea that he thought of himself as a player that could make more for a team that he plays well with, possibly pricing himself out of the budget in Chicago.  Brouwer did have some decent offensive numbers in 2011 and did a pretty good job in the opening round of the playoffs against the Canucks, so he should be able to bring that kind of edge to a Capitals team that needs traction in the playoffs.

The Blackhawks will now have two picks in the 1st round of the entry draft, showing that they may need to infuse their organization with a bit more youth, especially after the crash out of the playoffs this Spring.

From the Pool Outlooks that were posted in the last month, there is no immediate change to either team's salary cap projections, a potential restricted free agent for a draft pick doesn't change anything.  Washington has 16 players signed for $49.7 million and Chicago has 12 players signed on for $50.9 million.  Clearly, the Blackhawks needed to find some cheaper depth, while getting something rich as a reward.