This is It?

I had my doubts about whether trading Dmitry Orlov or Garnet Hathaway could bring back a meaningful first-round draft pick. But trading both of them and still not getting a meaningful first-round draft pick? That had not occurred to us, Dude.

So, to review: Washington ships away its two best trade asset to Bostons; in exchange, the Capitals pick up Craig Smith and the Bruins’ 2023 first-round draft pick, plus a third-round pick in 2024, and a second-rounder in 2025.

I’m willing to withhold judgment until the whole thing shakes out over the summer. At this moment, though, this looks like a mediocre (at best) return for the Caps. Given what the Bruins are likely to do in the playoffs, their 2023 first-rounder is essentially a high second-rounder. And draft picks in 2024 and 2025 are worthless if the Capitals are serious about competing before Ovechkin’s contract expires in 2026.

Washington could always flip those draft picks into actual living, breathing human beings over the summer. But the success of that plan largely rests on what options are available. The only opportunity for certainty left with Orlov and Hathaway.

At least we got Craig Smith, though.