Hockey fans everywhere were left with their jaws dropped on Sunday evening when CSN Washington’s Chuck Gormley tweeted that Caps’ center Mathieu Perreault has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for minor league John Mitchell and a fourth round draft pick in the 2014 entry draft.
Many questions loom about why general manager and vice president, George McPhee decided to cut Matty P from the team. I think the biggest question that I have is why he chose to boot the extremely talented center in Matheiu Perreault instead of someone like LW Jason Chimera who makes $1.75 million and scored a total of 3 goals for the club last season. Granted, he is a veteran of the organization and brings physicality to his offensive line but if the Caps wanted to clear up some cap space to keep their new star rookie, Tom Wilson, Chimera would have been the golden opportunity and a much more reasonable trade seeing how John Mitchell will go directly to Hershey.
Players such as Caps’ defensemen John Carlson and Karl Alzner expressed their feelings toward the trade via Twitter
Going to miss my chum. Quite a few great years together. Wish him all the best in Anaheim. pic.twitter.com/hcFYTQswiN
— John Carlson (@JohnCarlson74) September 30, 2013
— Karl Alzner (@KarlAlzner) September 30, 2013
I think the team just lost a ton of offensive stability and talent by trading Perreault, which they can’t afford. Was he a top 6 forward? I don’t know, but obviously the GM thought he wasn’t. Matty P will certainly be missed in DC as he has always been a fan favorite, but I look forward to seeing what’s next for him in Anaheim under head coach Bruce Boudreau whom Mathieu played for briefly in Washington.
The Caps open their regular season on Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks at United Center. Unfortunately no Perry Cellys will be seen, but hopefully we’ll see lots of awesome celebrations from the men in the white jerseys. Get ready to unleash the fury, Caps fans! Hockey is back.
Emily Schuchart
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