Capitals Acquire Tom Gilbert From Kings

It’s not Teddy Purcell or Devin Setoguchi as the first demoted Kings veteran to be shipped out of town, but Tom Gilbert. The Washington Capitals announced that they have acquired the veteran defenseman from Los Angeles for future considerations. Capitals beat reporter Mike Vogel also adds that the Kings will retain 20% of Gilbert’s $1.4MM salary, or $280K, which explains why Washington didn’t just scoop him up on waivers recently. Gilbert is expected to report to the Capitals AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, for the time being.

As recently discussed in our Washington Capitals Deadline Primer, the team needed a veteran defenseman to provide some depth for the stretch run and postseason. The team has few options outside of their top six, but the 34-year-old Gilbert brings eleven years of experience into the mix, and at a relatively cheap cost. Vogel adds that the conditions for the “future considerations” are as follows: if the Capitals advance two or more rounds in the playoffs and Gilbert plays in 50% of their postseason games, then the Kings will receive a 2017 fifth-round pick. Otherwise, there is no return for L.A. Given both the strength of Washington’s top-six on defense and their recent playoff history, the chances of both those conditions being met seems slim.

In 18 games this season, Gilbert had a goal and four assists. He showed much greater offensive pop in his early days in Edmonton in the late 2000’s, but still contributes to score sheet from time to time. More than anything, Gilbert will provide responsible defense if called upon in high-pressure positions for the Capitals.