Based on history alone it was nearly a forgone conclusion that the front office was going to go out and get that help on D. It’s become tradition that the Caps get a defenseman before the deadline. Mike Weber, Kevin Shattenkirk, Michal Kempny and Nick Jensen all acquired near the deadline in the last few seasons.
This season it was Brenden Dillon making his was to D.C. I think the common thought before the acquisition was the Capitals needed help on the bottom pairs. Dillon however has stepped right onto the team’s top D pair alongside John Carlson.