Capitals trade Brooks Laich to Maple Leafs for Daniel Winnik

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not done shedding salary for the future. Even after all of their moves so far this deadline, GM Lou Lamoriello is embracing the rebuild process and continues to deal with teams across the league.

The latest move for Toronto is with Washington, as the Maple Leafs are sending forward Daniel Winnik and a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft to the Capitals in exchange for Brooks Laich, Connor Carrick and a 2016 second-round selection.

Laich, the longest-tenured player in Washington, was just sent down on waivers by the Capitals on Saturday, though traveled with the team to play their latest game Sunday -- a 3-2 loss to the Blackhawks in Chicago. The 32-year-old forward has struggled mightily this season, with just seven points in 60 games played with the Capitals. With one year left with his $4.5 million cap hit, the money will help the Leafs reach the floor as the team continues to jettison salary to make room for their rebuild.

Coming back with Laich is Carrick, a 21-year-old defenseman playing with the Hershey Bears in the AHL with 25 points in 46 games, and a second-round pick in this year's draft.

On the other end, the Capitals get 30-year-old Winnik, who's notched 14 points on the year in 56 games with the Leafs. Winnik has bounced around from team to team, with stints in Colorado, Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Toronto all within the last five years. The forward will round out a Capitals squad that seems to be bound for the Presidents' Trophy come the end of the season.

Neither team will retain salary in the deal.