Maple Leafs - Capitals

To Leafs: Kolzig, Barnaby, Wooley, Corbet, Hejduk + 1st pick 1999

To Caps: Jagr and Ranford + 4th pick 1999 + 2nd & 3rd pick in year 2000

In a surprising move the Leafs traded away Jagr. They did so to a team nobody expected to either! Flyers, Avs, Cancuks and Ducks were all in the driver seat. Or at least we were told so,  but the team that landed him was the Washington Capitals.

Leafs needed a keeper and that's what they got. Ranford is no way near a starting keeper and the Leafs knew that so they landed themselves Kolzig. One of the better younger keepers in the world. With Barnaby and Corbet they got a little something back for what they gave up to land Jagr in the first place (Korolev, Mogilny, Johnson, Arnott). With Wooley they also boosted up their defence a lot. With Hejduk they also got a great prospect and then there is that 1st pick...

But one feels that they gave up more to get Jagr then they get back. Even though their team looks stronger with Kolzig in goal then they did before the first Jagr trade one feels that they gave him up too soon for too little. Wooley will be of great asset to their defence too.

Caps made a very surprising move here! Jagr! With Sundin... and Oates and Hull i nthe 2nd line!! The picks they received even up the trade a little but what looks worrying for them is Ranford. What will they give up to land themselves a better keeper? They have a great solid defence that will help Ranford a lot but plans to land a starting goalie are probably underway as this is written. Maybe the plan is to let Hextall be the nr 1 goalie?

Caps look to have what was thought impossible. Landed Jagr without giving up their future nor their present greatness! They have a decent keeper in Hextall, but they will probably try to land another keepr. They have still a great defence and they have 4 superstars of the game up front with solidlooking depth!

Leafs made their team better with Kolzig in goal and Wooley in their defence. Corbet and Barnaby will boosten up their wings. But one feels that they had a better team before the first Jagr trade...