Tyler Graovac acquired by Capitals from Minnesota Wild

The Washington Capitals traded a 2018 fifth-round pick on Wednesday to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for center Tyler Graovac, the team announced. 

Graovac, 24, appeared in 52 games for the Wild last season. He scored seven goals and had two assists. He was drafted by Minnesota in the seventh round of the 2011 draft. 

Graovac is on a standard level contract, according to Cap Friendly, with one-year, $625,000 remaining.

While he’s spent most of his career in the American Hockey League, Graovac could add depth to the Capitals’ fourth line if he makes the roster. He spent most of last year shuffling between Minnesota and Iowa, where the Wild have an AHL affiliate.  

Graovac is 6-foot-5 and is a good skating center, according to the StarTribune’s Michael Russo. The move can also been seen as a way to potentially protect an additional forward, such as Lars Eller, in the upcoming expansion draft.

The Capitals will protect seven forwards, three defenseman and one goalie from the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights will announce their selections on June 21 and the list of players they select must be submitted the day prior.

This is the second draft pick the Capitals have traded in the 2018 draft. They dealt their second round pick to Montreal for Eller last June. 

The Capitals are also missing their first three picks in this year’s NHL Draft, which takes place June 23-24 in Chicago.