The Washington Capitals have just completed their second trade ahead of Monday’s 3 pm trade deadline.
General manager Brian MacLellan has acquired defenseman Nick Jensen and a fifth-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings for Madison Bowey and a second-round pick in 2020.
Darren Dreger was the first to report the news.
Washington acquires Nick Jensen from Det
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) February 22, 2019
The 28-year-old Jensen is an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and in the final year of a two-year contract worth $1.625 million.
“Nick is a reliable modern-day defenseman who we feel can defend well and log valuable minutes for our club,” MacLellan said in a release. “At 28 years of age, we feel he is just entering his prime.”
TSN’s Bob McKenzie called the trade a “Kempny style deal” for Washington.
Defending Cup champs mKe another Kempny style deal: https://t.co/chN2oqLBXW
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) February 22, 2019
He appears to be a diamond in the rough. Per Natural Stat Trick, the right-handed defenseman has been a positive possession player every year in the NHL despite being on very weak, bottom-feeding Detroit teams.
Jensen averages nearly 21 minutes of ice time per game and plays a ton on the penalty kill. Jensen’s 2:46 of PK minutes per game are the most on the Red Wings and his 165:53 penalty kill minutes this season rank 21st in the NHL.
According to puck77.com, Jensen is also very good at zone exits and termed him a “deadline steal.”
Micah McCurdy, a respected NHL analyst, says the Capitals got the much better end of the deal, calling Madison Bowey a “very bad” player.
Nick Jensen (traded to Washington) is a decent defensive defender over the past two years; this season has been a fair bit stronger than last. pic.twitter.com/1le2rnibcQ
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) February 22, 2019
What a win for Washington, my goodness.
— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) February 22, 2019
Jensen was not necessarily excited to leave Detroit when talking to reporters earlier in the week.
“This is the organization that drafted me, the team’s amazing, the staff is amazing, the fans are amazing,” Jensen said to The Detroit News after practice Thursday. “So, obviously, I love it here.”
He added, “They’re going to do what they need to do. At the same time, I have to do what I need to do, too.”
Now he goes from the second-worst teams in the Eastern Conference to the defending champions.
Here’s the release from the Capitals:
The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2019 fifth round pick (originally from Buffalo) from the Detroit Red Wings for defenseman Madison Bowey and a 2020 second round pick, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Jensen, 28, a native of Rogers, Minn., recorded 15 points (2g, 13a) in 60 games with the Red Wings this season, which is tied for his highest point total of his career, set last season (15a). The 6’0″, 194-pound defenseman’s 50.43 shot attempt percentage (947 shot attempts for, 931 against) led Detroit defensemen at five-on-five among players with at least 40 games played. Additionally, Jensen’s 2:46 minutes per game on the penalty kill are the most on the Red Wings and his 165:53 total penalty kill minutes rank 21st in the NHL. Additionally, Jensen was on the ice for 42 goals at five-on-five, the second most on the Red Wings this season.
In 190 career games with Detroit, Jensen has collected 43 points (6g, 37a). Jensen was selected with the Red Wings’ fifth round pick (149th overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft.
Prior to the NHL, Jensen appeared in 222 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL), recording 61 points (10g, 51a). Additionally, Jensen was a three-year player at St. Cloud State University from 2010 to 2013. In his junior year at the university, Jensen was named to the NCAA (West) First All-American Team and was named the NCAA (WCHA) Defensive Player of the Year.
