Caps bolster offense with trade for Arnott

By Bud L. Ellis

The Washington Capitals sit in fifth place in the NHL’s Eastern Conference, but have their sights set on bigger and better things as winter turns to spring.

At Monday’s trading deadline the Caps landed a No. 2 center to add offensive punch, trading David Steckel and next year’s second-round pick to New Jersey for center Jason Arnott.

Arnott brings 24 points in 62 games this season to a Washington lineup looking for more offense to go with scorer Alex Ovechkin. Arnott also brings playoff experience: he scored the Stanley Cup winning goal for the Devils in the 2000 Finals.

The Caps are five points behind Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division. Last season, Washington won the President’s Trophy for most points in the regular season, but were upended in the first round of the playoffs by Montreal.

The 36-year-old Arnott is four goals away from 400 in his career, which started with Edmonton in 1993-94. He also has played with Dallas, and spent the previous four seasons with Florida. This season, Arnott has 13 goals and 11 assists.

Washington plays host to the Islanders on Tuesday.

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Monday, February 28, 2011 at 9:47 pm by bud

Tags: Dallas Stars, David Steckel, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Jason Arnott, Montreal Canadians, National Hockey League, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals news, Washington Capitals schedule, Washington Capitals tickets