As the roster continues to thin out with at least five more players being cut (more on this later today), it’s time we start to look at what it’s going to take to put the finishing touches on the final roster the Golden Knights will take to Dallas.

We’ve known since the Expansion Draft ended that there must be a solution to the glut of defensemen in the system, and looking through George McPhee’s preseason roster transaction history, it appears the answer could come soon.

According to Sportstrac.com, the Washington Capitals have only claimed one player (Aaron Volpatti 2/28/13) off waivers in team history, including the 17 years McPhee was at the helm. So we can pretty much rule out a player being added that way. However, don’t mistake a man with an $800 haircut for being content with his roster. I’m guessing, but I’m telling you, it’s a sharp, maintained corporate cut. Sorry, back to hockey. McPhee may not claim players before the opener, but he’ll gladly make trades. 

10/10/97: Caps trade Martin Gendron & 1998 6th round pick for 1999 5th round pick.

10/15/98: Caps trade 1999 9th round pick for James Black.

10/16/98: Caps trade 1999 6th round pick Tom Chorske & 1999 8th round pick.

10/05/99: Caps trade Ken Sutton for future considerations.

10/07/02: Caps trade 2003 2nd and 3rd round picks for Mike Grier.

10/05/03: Caps trade Denis Hamel for 2004 9th round draft pick.   

9/26/05: Caps trade 2006 conditional draft pick(#67) for Jeff Friesen.

9/29/13: Caps trade Mathieu Perrault for John Mitchell and 2014 4th round pick.

Eight trades in 17 years isn’t much, but six in the first six years is saying something. To his advantage, VGK’s GM would rather get something, anything, for a player on the verge of being cut.

Could we be in for a trade as soon as this we? Sure looks like it to me.

Brendan Leipsic, Griffin Reinhart, Luca Sbisa, Clayton Stoner, and maybe others are possible candidates. It could get interesting in the upcoming weeks because McPhee’s early season trade period is heating up.

Starting today, the McPhee Draft Pick Collection Agency will send out its final notice. The McDPCA offers several draft pick payment plans, but you must act fast.