Caps Net 2 Defensemen, 2 Forwards Before Deadline

The Carolina Hurricanes apparently want the Capitals to win the Stanley Cup.

The Capitals picked up a veteran forward and defenseman from their Southeast Division foes before Wednesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline.  The Caps also welcomed back defenseman Milan Jurcina to the team from Columbus, while adding a solid, two-way vet from the Wild.

The Caps re-acquired Jurcina from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a sixth-round pick, according to TSN.ca.  Jurcina was traded to the Jackets earlier this season along with Chris Clark in exchange for Jason Chimera.

The Canadian site also reports that the Caps picked up d-man Joe Corvo from the Carolina Hurricanes for defenseman Brian Pothier, young forward Oskar Osala and a second-round pick.  Corvo has an excellent shot from the point and can run a power play, but his play in his own end has always been suspect. 

The move gives the Caps another option on the power play, however, which could perhaps free up Alex Ovechkin to work more down low instead of manning a point position with the man advantage.

The trade was the second of the day with the Canes.  The Caps added some grit and hustle to the roster earlier in the day by acquiring winger Scott Walker from the Hurricanes for a seventh-round pick in 2010.

The Caps also added center Eric Belanger from the Minnesota Wild for a second-round pick.

Walker is a hard-nosed grinder who works well along the boards and in front of the next. While he's a three-time 20-goal scorer in the league, his offensive skills have diminished the past couple of seasons as his games missed due to injury have increased. He has just three goals in 33 games this season.

Clearly the wear and tear of playing his style in the NHL has taken a toll, but his leadership qualities may be more important to the team than anything else. Walker is always willing to take a hit to make a play; always willing to drop his gloves to back up a teammate (see his one-punch knockout of Aaron Ward last season as proof).

Belanger, who head coach Bruce Boudreau had in Lowell, Mass., according to Tim Leone of the Patriot-News, has 35 points -- 13 goals and 22 assists -- in 60 games this season. His career best is 37 points in 2005-06 with the Kings and 2007-08, his first season with the Wild.  Belanger is good in the faceoff circle and is quite responsible in his own end.

The additions of Belanger and Walker add more grit and defensive responsibility to go along with Russian flair up front.  Getting Jurcina and Corvo on defense also provides more depth on the blue line, which is always necessary for a long playoff run.

The moves also leave Washington forward heavy, so expect someone to be packing for Hershey.

Keep checking back for more updates.

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