Capitals Acquire F Dustin Penner from Ducks

And just like that, they ripped off the bandaid and saw the wound had finally healed.  The proverbial wound I speak of is the middling Capitals mediocre season. Mediocre may be harsh, considering they are only 3 points of the 6-seed in the playoffs, but underwhelming to say the least.

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Today, reparations were made to rebuild the front line, the one that has had a gaping hole since Mike Knuble left Washington. None of the players previously plugged in that role have been working out as well as new Capital Dustin Penner will. Penner provides leadership presence in a locker room that can’t get enough of it, winning playoff experience to a squad that definitely needs it, and another reliable scoring option on the wing or on net.

Penner was acquired earlier today from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the same fourth-round pick the Capitals received from the Ducks in the trade for Matthieu Perrault. Penner has 32 goals through 49 games and gives Nicklas Backstrom another passing target  up top not named Ovechkin. This is a low risk, high reward move that will have Capitals fans very excited. This is a positive move to help stabilize before the playoff surge comes in April.

Penner will debut against the Philadelphia Flyers, wearing jersey no. 17.