The Washington Capitals traded defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler to the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, receiving a 2021 third-round pick in return.
With the NHL trade deadline Monday, sending Siegenthaler to the Devils could open up another move for the Capitals. The trade, which shed one of Washington’s two extra defensemen, cleared $800,000 in salary-cap space.
New Jersey, sitting in penultimate place in the East Division, receive a young left-handed shooting defenseman who can take part in a rebuild. The 23-year-old is a restricted free agent after this season. He has appeared in 97 regular-season NHL games for the Capitals, notching 13 points.
Washington gets a third-round pick that was originally dealt to New Jersey in a trade last year for Taylor Hall. The Capitals now have seven picks in the 2021 draft.
The Capitals are tied with the New York Islanders atop the East Division. They held onto a 4-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night, but Washington lost its previous two games before that — and four of its last six contests.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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