OTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators raised the stakes in the pursuit of the Stanley Cup on Wednesday, acquiring star sniper Peter Bondra from the Washington Capitals in exchange for prospect Brooks Laich and a second-round draft pick in 2005.
It gives Senators head coach Jacques Martin yet another offensive weapon on the NHL's highest-scoring team.
``This is something we've been working to complete for a long time,'' Senators general manager John Muckler said after announcing the deal at the Corel Centre. ``It's a player that Jacques and I have looked at and wanted for a lot of reasons. Unfortunately, we couldn't complete it until today.''
The 36-year-old Bondra, a five-time NHL all-star, had 21 goals and 14 assists in 54 games with the struggling Capitals this season, including four game-winning goals.
He's long been rumoured to be on the trading block with money-losing Washington likely to miss out on the playoffs and its management intent on dumping salaries, starting with Jaromir Jagr's switch to the New York Rangers last month.
``I didn't expect it despite the rumours,'' Bondra said on a conference call. ``I was shocked, even disappointed. I'm trying to be honest. I've played for 14 years in Washington.
``I am disappointed but, at the same time, looking forward to coming to Ottawa to play for such a good team.''
Bondra, who played the point on the power play in Washington, is earning $4.5 million US this season. That makes him the second-highest paid player in Ottawa, tied with Wade Redden, behind captain Daniel Alfredsson's $5.05 million salary.
Bondra learned of the trade after reporting to the Capitals' practice facility for a skate following Tuesday's 1-1 tie with the Senators and was met by Caps GM George McPhee.
``He never mentioned any trades and, obviously, that's why it was a shock,'' Bondra said.
Star defenceman Sergei Gonchar, centre Robert Lang and netminder Olaf Kolzig are the next players expected to follow the popular Bondra out the door.
``Peter Bondra deserves a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup, and I regret that we couldn't give him that opportunity in D.C. this year,'' Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis said in a statement. ``I know what he means to our fan base, but allowing him the opportunity to win a Cup is important.
``This was a difficult trade for me personally, and I can't say enough good things about Peter.''
Bondra, meanwhile, brings explosive speed and tremendous goal-scoring ability to a Senators club already deep in skilled forwards. Known as a power-play specialist, he joins the NHL's No. 1-rated unit with the man advantage. He's also a good penalty killer.
``I'm really excited about the acquisition of Peter Bondra,'' Muckler said. ``It's nice to be able to shore up for the playoffs. He's a world-class player - very talented.''
Bondra is expected to be in the lineup when Ottawa plays host to the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night.
The Senators will be on the hook for the remainder of this year's salary plus they hold his $4.5-million option for next season.
``Peter Bondra is not a rental,'' Muckler said. ``It's an option-year (contract), which we intend to recognize.''
Laich had 15 goals and 18 assists in 44 games with the AHL's Binghamton Senators this season. The 20-year-old native of Wawota, Sask., was the Senators' sixth-round pick (193rd overall) in the 2001 NHL entry draft. He also played with Canada at the 2003 world junior tournament in Halifax.
Laich played his junior hockey with the Western Hockey League's Moose Jaw and Seattle franchises.
Bondra, the Capitals' eighth-round (156th overall) selection in the 1990 entry draft, has played his entire 14-year NHL career in Washington. The speedy winger has scored 30 or more goals nine times, including a career-high 52 goals in 1995-96. He had 30 goals and 26 assists in 76 games last season.
If there's a downside, it's that he is injury-prone. He's only played a full season once in his career. He missed four games from Dec. 31 to Jan. 6 this season with a groin injury and one game with the flu on Jan. 17.
Earlier this season, Bondra reached the 800-point landmark with a goal Nov. 24 at Detroit, making him the 28th active player to hit the plateau. He is just the fifth active player to score 400 career goals with one team (Jagr, Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic and Steve Yzerman).
He leaves the Capitals as second on the club's all-time games played (961), first for points (825), goals (472), power-play goals (137), game-winning goals (73), shorthanded goals (32) and hat tricks (19).
So it was an emotional goodbye in Washington on Wednesday.
``We're supposed to be big, tough guys, but there were a lot of tears this morning,'' McPhee said. ``We thought it was best for Peter. We worked harder to find the best place for him to play. Peter didn't want to leave. This wasn't something management and ownership wanted to do. We thought it was good for Peter and good for us.''