Capitals add defensive depth in trade for Mike Weber

The Washington Capitals are loading up on veteran depth for their Stanley Cup run. 

On Tuesday the Buffalo Sabres sent their longest-serving player, blueliner Mike Weber to the Caps in exchange for a third-round 2017 draft pick. The last-place Sabres retained half of Weber’s $1.67 million annual salary.

Weber had played 35 games this season and had one goal and five points. He’d averaged 15:55 of ice-time per-game.

The league-leading Capitals praised the move as adding a defensive-minded, NHL-level presence

“Mike is a stay-at-home defenseman, who plays a physical game and is respected by his teammates. We felt it was important to add depth to our blueline by adding another quality veteran defenseman,” general manager Brian MacLellan said in a statement.

The 28-year-old Weber was in the last year of his contract.

“It’s difficult to trade someone that has been a part of the organization for 10 years, but I think this is a good opportunity for the player and for our organization,” Buffalo GM Tim Murray said in a statement.

Last season, Weber made headlines over comments he made about how Sabres fans reacted to the team’s tanking for the No. 1 pick in the 2015 Draft.

Team supporters cheered as the Sabres lost in a late-season home match up against the Arizona Coyotes, a group vying with Buffalo for the NHL’s worst record.

“I’ve always spoken extremely high of our fans. I don’t even know if disappointed is the word. They score that first one and our fans are cheering. Late penalty, they cheer. They cheer when they score to win the game,” Weber said.

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY

– – – – – – –

Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper