Caps Trade Witt

The one we've all been waiting for: the Caps have traded Brendan Witt to Nashville for former Caps draft pick Kris Beech and a first round pick.

Personally, I think that's a great return for Witt. The first would have been more than enough, but throw in a 25-year-old 6'2" center who is over a point-per-game over the past two seasons in the AHL for two different organizations, and I'd say this is a steal. Yes, George McPhee had previously said the Caps wanted players, not prospects and certainly not picks. But when a deal's the best deal you're gonna get, you take it. The Caps now have five picks in the first two rounds of this year's draft, so expect some packaging and moving up.

Plus, the deal has the added bonus of allowing me to dust off the Kris Beech Calgary Hitmen jersey I had retired when the Caps traded him away the first time, nearly five years ago.

Fan reaction to the deal is decidedly mixed, ranging from those who appreciate the value of a first round pick and, at worst, a serviceable AHLer in return for a mediocre defensive defenseman who will be an unrestricted free agent in a month and those without a brain in their head. I'll have more later, but that's my first take on the deal.