Washington Capitals trade for defenseman Tom Gilbert

The Washington Capitals have acquired Los Angeles Kings defenseman Tom Gilbert for future considerations.

Gilbert, 34, will initially report to the Hershey Bears in the AHL.

Per washingtoncapitals.com’s Mike Vogel, the Kings have retained 20 percent of Gilbert’s salary. The future considerations that the Capitals must surrender read as follows:

• If the Capitals make it past the second round and Gilbert plays in 50 percent of the games, the Capitals will send a fifth-round pick to Los Angeles in the 2017 draft.

If this condition is not met, the Capitals will not have to send anything back in return to Los Angeles.

Gilbert, the former Edmonton Oiler, Minnesota Wild, Florida Panther and Montreal Canadien, has scored one goal and four assists in 18 games this year for the Kings.

The Capitals were believed to be looking for a depth defenseman at the upcoming March 1 trade deadline. Gilbert, a right handed shot, brings 655 games worth of NHL experience and 17 games of playoff experience.

The Bears themselves have dealt with a great deal of injuries on the blue line this year, including prized defensive prospect Madison Bowey, who suffered a torn tendon in his ankle after getting sliced by the skate.

The Capitals are in the midst of their bye week and will return on Saturday, where they will face the Detroit Red Wings.