Underdog deals may help shape East

A pair of under-the-radar transactions in the NHL this offseason may not carry the clout of a Dany Heatley deal or Brad Richards signing, but may end up being the two most significant roster moves made by playoff teams looking to shore up their odds of contention in 2011-12.

Under much scrutiny for underachieving in the postseason despite a roster stacked with top-level talent, it was clear heading into the long summer that the Washington Capitals needed to improve their depth in order further themselves past the conference semifinals next summer.

Trading away their 2011 first-round pick to Chicago in exchange for role player Troy Brouwer, they may have done exactly that.

There’s no doubt Brouwer was a key part of the Chicago Blackhawks during their 2009-10 Stanley Cup triumph, bringing forth strong leadership, physicality and defensive responsibility, in addition to chipping in with four goals and eight points in the playoffs, often scoring when the team needed it most.

His experience and ability to perform under pressure in key situations is something the Caps will use on either of their latter lines. It’s often role players like Brouwer that add the necessary oomph and passion needed to win a championship.

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We’ve seen it with hard-working players like Danny Cleary, who helped Detroit to a Cup in 2007-08, Max Talbot with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008-09, and Brad Marchand with Boston last season.

With Washington entering yet another season as a franchise on the brink of winning a Stanley Cup, this third or fourth line addition will no doubt strengthen their core.

Another successful offseason trade that promises to pay dividends over the course of the campaign occurred between the Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames, although Buffalo definitely emerged as the winners of this one.

Acquiring Robyn Regehr and a 2012 second-round pick gives Buffalo an experienced, punishing defenseman and a chance to add a young stud at the draft.

Ales Kotalik was also part of the package as a $3 million salary dump for Calgary, which Buffalo didn’t necessarily need either. Nevertheless, getting Regehr at $4.02 million could prove to be a very valuable commodity at that price while giving up Chris Butler and Paul Byron in the deal was a no-brainer for Buffalo.

With Craig Rivet recently retired, Regehr should have no problem filling the void and rubbing off on the junior and talented defensive core the Sabres currently employ.

Couple that with their other offseason addition of offensive-defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, Buffalo should have an enviable balance of talent and puck movement on the back-end as well as a collection of worthy, physical stay-at-home defenders to round out a hard working lineup.

Although Washington is the more likely to do so this season, there’s no doubt the moves made by both teams will show noticeable benefit to each club during the 2011-12 season.

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