The Chicago Blackhawks have committed to building for the future by trading Troy Brouwer to the Washington Capitals for the 26th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft. Brouwer is one more piece that has been traded away from the recent Stanley Cup-winning team.
Earlier in the draft, with the 18th overall pick, the Blackhawks selected Mark McNeill from the Prince Albert Raiders. McNeill, in his second season with the Raiders, had a very impressive point increase from 24 points to 81 points in 2010-2011 with 32 goals and 49 assists. McNeill, at 6'2" and 210 pounds, is a nice-sized forward that can take the body in the Western Hockey League, one of the toughest junior hockey leagues in North America. Brouwer is a restricted free agent who is believed to be getting a raise from the $1.025 million he made this year.
With the pick acquired from the Capitals, the Blackhawks took Phillip Danault, a left winger from the Victoriaville Tigres in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. As a 17-year-old in 2010-2011 he had 67 points with 23 goals and 44 assists, with five goals and 10 assists in the playoffs as well. He is not expected to be a major player for a roster spot next year and should go back to Victoriaville and develop in the QMJHL. Scouts have already seen a major improvement from his last two seasons and only has more room to improve.
The thinking around the league and with analysts is that the Capitals acquired Brouwer knowing that winger Brooks Laich is more than likely on his way out in Washington. With the acquisition of Brouwer, the Capitals gain very similar production in a grittier player who can match up with a team that is trying to toughen up on its forecheck. The Capitals must think that Brouwer is worth a low first-round pick and think they can re-sign him for less than they would have to give Laich.
The Blackhawks will miss Brouwer, who was a big part of the Stanley Cup-winning team of a year ago. He was a gritty, tough, veteran player who gave the Hawks a serious forechecker when there was a lack of physical forwards. The Blackhawks are obviously going to develop Danault into what they think will be a future first- or second-line winger to pair with Toews or Kane. The lack of young talent led many people to believe that the Blackhawks were stuck in a "win-now" plan.
In the end, both teams make out well in the end. The Capitals gain toughness and relieve a bigger cap hit that would have ultimately been taken in signing Laich for very similar production.
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