The Washington Capitals have made a blockbuster deal to acquire Anthony Mantha from the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL’s trade deadline. Washington gave up two players and a first- and second-round draft pick. The Capitals kept pace with moves made by their East Division rivals. The Boston Bruins acquired 2018 NHL MVP Taylor Hall in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres. Otherwise, a flat salary cap restricted the number of deals completed before the deadline. Only 17 trades were completed and involved just 26 players. That’s down from the NHL trade deadline day record of 32 deals involving 55 players a year ago.
