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Every team can benefit from trades, even teams that are second in their division. The team in this case is the Washington Capitals, a powerful squad that is easily a contender for the playoffs. In order to ensure that, it is worth taking a look at players who can be traded to make the team stronger. Here are five of those players.
5. Brooks Laich
Credit: Getty Images5. Brooks Laich
Brooks Laich is without a doubt a hard-worker and a forward who can be crucial for defensive situations. The problem is he also is notorious for mediocre skating speed and an inability to produce consistent points. In the 21 games he's played this season, Laich has only managed three points (one goal, two assists) and stands at a minus-three. In 2009, former head coach Bruce Boudreau stated that "...I still don't think we've seen the best of Brooks. I think he's going to be a 25-, 30-goal scorer in this league and become a staple for a while." If this season's performance is any indication, this is far from being true. It may be time to trade for a forward with stronger offensive showings.
4. Tom Wilson
Credit: Getty Images4. Tom Wilson
As a power forward, Tom Wilson no doubt brings a strong level of physical play to the Caps. On the negative side, he leads the team in PIM with 39 minutes and in 21 games played has only five points (all assists) to his name. In spite of his large frame and aggressiveness, Wilson also struggles with defensive play as a whole (in addition to his abysmal offensive play). You can be physical and offensively minded as a forward -- Corey Perry and many other wingers prove that. It may be time for a trade to find a power forward with scoring ability.
3. Taylor Chorney
Credit: Getty Images3. Taylor Chorney
Chorney has no problem getting the puck up ice and starting offensive rushes. The thing is he is a defenseman who has trouble playing defense. I mean, it's great that he can get things going with his mobility, but as a defenseman that isn't his primary function on the team. Even "offensive" defensive players have the ability to shut down plays from an attacking team. If the Capitals want to push for the Cup they really need to get somebody more dominant, like a physical veteran, on defense.
2. Philipp Grubauer
Credit: Getty Images2. Philipp Grubauer
Philipp Grubauer showed a lot of promise as a prospect. The issue here is if something happens to Braden Holtby, Grubauer can be problematic as a starter. His consistency is an issue in terms of save percentage (looking at his pre-Washington years), and he played most of 2014-15 in the AHL. Trading Grubauer for a more seasoned goalie to back up Holtby would be a smart move as the wildcard nature of play is eliminated.
1. Andre Burakovsky
Credit: Getty Images1. Andre Burakovsky
Burakovsky is fast and has great puck-handling skills. Why is it, then, that the forward has played 19 games and only managed to get six points (most of them assists)? If he cannot start putting the puck in the net more, it may be time to trade him for somebody with a higher goal-scoring percentage.
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