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Capitals trade third-round pick to Blackhawks for defenseman Michal Kempny

By Ian Oland

 4 Comments

February 19, 2018 1:53 pm

The Washington Capitals have struggled on defense all season long and it appears they have made their first deal to address that issue.

The Capitals have traded a third-round pick to the Blackhawks for defenseman Michal Kempny. The news was first reported by the Athletic’s Scott Powers and TSN’s Bob McKenzie.

According to NHL.com, the Capitals will exchange the higher of either their own third round draft choice or Toronto’s third round pick. The Capitals acquired the Toronto draft pick from New Jersey as part of the Marcus Johansson trade.

“I don’t know,” Kempny said of his reaction to The Athletic’s Scott Powers. “I’m a little bit shaking now. It’s my first trade. I spend here almost two seasons. I like people around here. A lot of people have helped me a lot, and I really appreciate it. You know I got traded. I’m looking forward to a new opportunity. I really appreciate it.”

The 27-year-old Czech defenseman has played parts of the last two seasons in the NHL. In 31 games this season, Kempny has a goal and six assists in 31 games.

Kempny has a $900,000 cap hit and is an unrestricted free agent next season.

During Saturday’s game against the Capitals, Kempny skated on the Blackhawks’ second pairing with Brent Seabrook.

According to a graph from @InEffectiveMath, Kempny has spent a majority of his time in the lineup skating with Connor Murphy and Seabrook.

When looking at Kempny’s relative possession numbers via Corsica, he shows potential to improve the Caps third pairing.

Here’s more analysis from The Athletic’s Sean Tierney.

Any corresponding roster moves by Washington have not been announced yet.

More from the Caps:

The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Michal Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a third round draft pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Kempny, 27, a native of Hodnin, Czech Republic, recorded seven points (1g, 6a) in 31 games with the Blackhawks this season. In 81 career NHL games, Kempny has recorded 15 points (3g, 12a) and 34 penalty minutes.

Kempny was signed by the Blackhawks as a free agent on May 23, 2016.

Prior to joining the Blackhawks, Kempny recorded 60 points (21g, 39a) in 213 games with the Czech League.

Headline photo: Jonathan Daniel

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