Capitals get Chimera from Jackets for 2 players

The Capitals shook up their roster a bit Monday, acquiring left

wing Jason Chimera from the Blue Jackets in a trade that sends

Chris Clark and defenseman Milan Jurcina to Columbus.

The deal cuts about $2 million in salary this season from

Washington’s payroll, which could clear room for another trade.

Chimera has eight goals and nine assists this season, along with

47 penalty minutes, more than anyone on Washington’s roster. The

deal moves him from the last-place Blue Jackets – a team on a

franchise-record-tying nine-game losing streak – to a first-place

Capitals club.

Clark was in his fifth year with the Capitals, his fourth as the

team’s captain. He has four goals and 11 assists this season, but

his playing time has diminished over the years. Jurcina was in his

fourth season with Washington and part of a crowded group of

defensemen.

The trade was announced a few hours before Washington was to

host the Carolina Hurricanes, and Columbus was to host the Detroit

Red Wings on Monday night.

Chimera was one of the most popular players in the Blue Jackets

locker room. In his three full seasons with the club, he

established himself as a hard worker and one of the team’s fastest

skaters. But he also never quite lived up to expectations.

He had 17 goals and 13 assists with the Blue Jackets in 80 games

in 2005-2006, then came back with 15 goals and 21 assists two years

ago. But injuries limited him to 49 games last season, when he had

only eight goals and 22 points.

The Blue Jackets, the youngest team in the NHL, appear to have

addressed two of their major needs in the deal.

Jurcina lends a veteran hand on the blue line, while Clark

should offer leadership for a roster with an average age of 26.