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Red Wings acquire Lang


TSN.ca Staff




2/27/2004

The Red Wings have done it again. Detroit has acquired centre Robert Lang from the Washington Capitals for prospect Tomas Fleischmann, a first round pick in 2004 and a fourth round pick in 2006.



Detroit, currently first in the league with 83 points in 64 games, has been looking for another scoring forward and Lang fits the bill. He is tied with Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis for the league lead in scoring with 74 points (29 goals, 45 assists).



If the 33-year-old Lang wins the scoring title, he would be the oldest first-timer in NHL history. He would also be the first scoring champ to play for two different teams during the season.



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Lang has been in Washington the past two seasons after spending nearly four seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has also spent time with the Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings. In eleven NHL seasons, Lang has tallied 173 goals and dished out 289 assists in 640 games.



The 19-year-old Fleischmann is among the WHL's leading scorers, with 28 goals and 69 points in 53 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors this season. He was Detroit's second round pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.



While the Red Wings are clearly loading up for another run at the Stanley Cup, the move can largely be viewed as another salary dump by the Capitals, who are striving to get younger and more affordable during a difficult season.



``We could not have asked for more from Robert Lang over the past two seasons, he has been a terrific player for our club and we consider him as the best free-agent signing in the team's history,'' Caps GM George McPhee said in a statement posted on the club's website.



``We have given Robert a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup while adding a good young player and two valuable draft choices to our organization.''



Lang was earning $5 million this season has three years and $15 million remaining on his current contract. Washington's list of traded players this season now includes Lang, Jaromir Jagr ($11 million this year), Peter Bondra ($4.5 million), Steve Konowalchuk ($1.575 million) and minor leaguer Denis Hamel.



In return for these players, the Capitals have received two current NHLers, Anson Carter ($2.8 million this season) and Bates Battaglia ($935,000). In addition, Washington picked up prospects Jonas Johansson, Brooks Laich and Fleischmann.



They have also stockpiled draft picks. Washington has added a 1st rounder in 2004, a 3rd rounder in 2004, a 2nd rounder in 2005, a 4th rounder in 2006 and future Considerations.



Washington is also expected to deal goaltender Olaf Kolzig and defenceman Sergei Gonchar before the March 9th NHL trade deadline. Kolzig is earning $6.25 million this season, and is slated to earn another $6.25 million next year, plus $6.5 million in 2005-06. Gonchar makes $3.65 million and is eligible to become a restricted free agent after this season. If they are dealt, Carter would be the Capitals highest-paid player left on the roster.



While Washington may be leading the league when it comes to trading expensive players, they are not alone. Since January 23rd, seven NHL players earning more than $3 million have been traded, presumably as teams prepare for the possibility of a work stoppage next season.


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Its not like they have enough firepower. They already average 3.2 goals per game. I guess thats not enough. Looks like a run for the cup.