The Ottawa Senators nabbed a key offensive piece from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade on Tuesday, acquiring center Artem Anisimov for left wing Zack Smith. Both players are signed through the 2020-2021 season, but Anisimov is making $4.55 million per season, compared to Smith's $3.25 million. Both players are 31 years of age, but Smith has 11 years of NHL experience, compared to Anisimov's four years, all of which have come in Chicago. The former Blackhawk finished with 15 goals and 22 assists in 78 games last season, this after scoring 20 or more goals in each of his first three seasons. Smith was an alternate captain in Ottawa, appeared in 70 games last year, and finished with nine goals and 19 assists.
Staying in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals are bringing back an offensive piece of their own, giving winger Jakob Vrana a two-year contract on Tuesday. The 23-year-old was a restricted free agent, and will now make $6.7 million on this new deal. He earned this new deal by having a career year in 2018-2019, putting up 24 goals and 23 assists for 47 points on the year. He also was key in the team,'s Stanley Cup win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights the season prior, recording three goals and five assists in that series. In 176 career regular season games in the NHL, he has 80 points, and now is looked at as a necessity for Washington to stay atop the Metropolitan Division.
Staying in the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals are bringing back an offensive piece of their own, giving winger Jakob Vrana a two-year contract on Tuesday. The 23-year-old was a restricted free agent, and will now make $6.7 million on this new deal. He earned this new deal by having a career year in 2018-2019, putting up 24 goals and 23 assists for 47 points on the year. He also was key in the team,'s Stanley Cup win over the Las Vegas Golden Knights the season prior, recording three goals and five assists in that series. In 176 career regular season games in the NHL, he has 80 points, and now is looked at as a necessity for Washington to stay atop the Metropolitan Division.
