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The Washington Capitals needed to shore up their depth to prepare for a long playoff run, and they did so on Tuesday by trading for Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mike Weber.
In return, the Sabres received a third-round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Buffalo now has 20 draft picks over the next two seasons.
Weber has spent his entire career with the Buffalo Sabres since entering the league in 2007. Known as a stay-at-home defenseman, Weber has blocked 666 shots and made 917 hits in his career. He's no offensive dynamo, with only five points this season and 53 total since joining the NHL. But his possession stats have seen an uptick this season.
Weber is also one of the more outspoken players in the NHL:
What has never been in question is Weber's heart and personality. He famously called out himself two years ago for needing improvement, called out the fans last season for cheering losses, and recently called Buffalo his home in some very fortuitously-timed interviews.
Buffalo was able to bump up the price to a third-round pick partly because they agreed to pay half of Weber's salary this season. Weber is an unrestricted free agent on July 1.