In the weeks that followed the Capitals’ nominal winning of the NHL Trade Deadline with their surprise acquisition of star defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, their new asset slotted into the lineup on the third blueline pairing with Brooks Orpik, drawing the easiest minutes amongst his new defense corps.
While it seemed a player with Shattenkirk’s pedigree might be better suited eating some tougher minutes, this slotting made sense with Barry Trotz and Todd Reirdren’s long-cemented preference for opposite handed defense partners, with roles and responsibilities on their blueline well established, and likely with some aversion to change borne of success (though obviously bringing Shattenkirk in at all indicates that he was viewed as a net positive).