Capitals Trade for Sharks Defenseman Brenden Dillon

With the surging Pittsburgh Penguins baring down on their No. 1 standing in the Metropolitan Division, the Washington Capitals have made a move less than week prior to the NHL Trade Deadline.

The Caps have acquired San Jose Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon in exchange for several NHL Draft Picks. The move marks yet another decision by Caps GM Brian MacLellan to sacrifice future assets to win in the interim.

"Brenden is an experienced defenseman who plays a solid defensive game with a high compete level and physicality," MacLellan said in a press release. "We felt it was important for us to add a player of his caliber to our defensive group."

Dillon is an excellent five-on-five defenseman, and will directly slot into one of Washington's lower defensive pairings. He's no slouch offensively, either, as the 29-year-old has tallied at least 20 points in the last two seasons, and is on pace to do so in 2020 as well.

The icing on the cake for such a deal, however, is that Washington and San Jose will split the remainder of Dillon's contract, making such a move all the more appetizing for the Caps' front office.