With just two days before the NHL Trade Deadline on Feb. 28 at 3:00 PM EST, the Washington Capitals have already made one move. The team picked up left winger Marco Sturm off waivers earlier today, and sent D.J. King packing.
King had played in only 14 games this season and was signed to fill the enforcer role that had been vacant since the departure of Donald Brashear prior to the start of the 2009-10 season. But with other physical players like Matt Bradley and John Erskine dropping the gloves when necessary to stick up for Washington's stars, King's services were no longer deemed necessary.
The often injured Sturm is a speedy and seen as a good skater with quality puck-handling skills who is likely to step into Washington's lineup immediately. He'll be among the Capitals' top six forwards.
But just because the Capitals have made a minor move, one should not believe that the team is done seeking new players this season. The Capitals could still look to add a premier second-line center, as suggest by SB Nation D.C.'s own Adam Vingan earlier this month. Some potential targets could be Stephen Weiss, Antoine Vermette, Brad Richards, or Jason Arnott, but the Capitals would probably have to be willing to part ways with one of the team's several young talents like Marcus Johansson or Matthieu Perreault.