Snohomish County native T.J. Oshie traded to Capitals

ARLINGTON, Va. — T.J. Oshie is looking forward to joining Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom with the Washington Capitals, who acquired the Sochi Olympics shootout star from the St. Louis Blues on Thursday for Troy Brouwer.

“I’d feel kind of like a kid in a candy store, I guess, playing with that caliber of player,” Oshie, who grew up in Snohomish County, said on a conference call.

As part of the swap of right wings, Washington also will send American Hockey League goalie Pheonix Copley and a third-round pick in next year’s NHL draft to St. Louis.

Oshie, a former Stanwood resident, had 19 goals and 36 assists in 72 games last season, his seventh in the NHL, all with St. Louis. He is best known for scoring four times during a shootout to lead the United States to a victory against Russia at the 2014 Olympics.

The ruby-cheeked forward was a key member of a core in St. Louis that consistently produced in the regular season but didn’t get much done in the playoffs — a pattern the Capitals have followed, too.

The Blues were eliminated in the first round each of the last three seasons and the team had seemed reluctant to break up a group of players that includes captain David Backes, forwards Patrik Berglund and Alexander Steen, and defensemen Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk.

“There’s a lot of disappointment after the way we lost out,” Oshie said.

Brouwer totaled 21 goals and 22 assists for Washington last season while appearing in all 82 games. He has played in nine NHL seasons, the last four with the Capitals after five with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Since Ovechkin — who led the NHL in goals this season — and Backstrom — No. 1 in assists — have been in Washington, the team has never made it past the second round of the playoffs. The Capitals were eliminated at that stage this year by the New York Rangers in Game 7, after leading the series 3-1.

Two days after Washington’s season ended, Brouwer said: “We’ve got to find a way to be able to get past this little hump of losing in the first or second round, and it starts with closing teams out and not being afraid to succeed.”

Asked to explain, Brouwer added: “When guys haven’t been past a certain point, mentally it can be fairly tough. You want to win, and all you want to do is win. But you can’t be afraid to not move on.”

The trade for Oshie came less than 24 hours after Washington got another right wing, Justin Williams, via free agency. Williams agreed to a $6.5 million, two-year contract.

Williams has been a member of three Stanley Cup champions, once with the Carolina Hurricanes and twice with the Los Angeles Kings. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP with the Kings in 2014.

“He’s a very cerebral, smart player,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “He’s very productive, and he’s a winner.”

Williams is 7-0 in Game 7s with seven goals and seven assists, according to STATS.

Washington, meanwhile, has lost six of its past nine Game 7s.

“The storyline’s (there), obviously,” Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan said. “He just brings the things we need, that we don’t have. We’re looking to get over the hump and he’s been there before.”

Williams said the decision to go to Washington was popular with his son, who turns 7 on Friday.

“He woke up this morning and said, ‘Daddy, where we playing?’ I told him Washington, and he was all smiles, so that passed the test,” Williams said Thursday.

Then he added: “I just hope he has one of my jerseys on, instead of Ovi’s.”

In another move Thursday, the Capitals brought back forward Chris Bourque with a two-year, two-way contract.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.