Report: A Potential Return Package For Ivan Miroshnichenko

We've heard over the past few days that the Washington Capitals have given their young forward Ivan Miroshnichenko and his agent permission to speak to other teams about a trade. That situation is bringing up comparisons to another young Russian who recently found himself in the same sort of position, needing a fresh start with a new team.

Insider Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast Monday morning that the Caps could be expected to get a return similar to the one the Columbus Blue Jackets received for Igor Chinakhov last season. 

Both players are former mid-to-later first-rounders who, for one reason or another, really weren't able to click with their drafting teams, and just needed a new situation. 

I think there's quite a bit of interest. I thought it was fascinating that the Capitals made it very clear they would not put him on waivers because they would lose him for zero.

Somebody compared it to the Chinakhov trade. He went from Columbus to Pittsburgh for a second and a third. And I'm curious to see if that's kind of the market. Is that what we're talking about here? Because (Miroshnichenko is) a talented player like Chinakhov. 

Chinakhov went on to have a breakout year with the Penguins after his trade, scoring 18 goals and 36 points in 43 games with them.  

In Miroshnichenko's case, the logjam for him in Washington that's preventing him from playing might not have even been a factor if Alex Ovechkin hadn't returned this season, Friedman suggested.  

"This is simply a numbers game," added The Friedge. "The other thing that could happen here is... if somebody (in Washington) gets hurt, he could be playing."

For now, the 22-year-old has gotten into just three games this season, averaging 11:03 a night, and has spent the rest of his time in the press box. He played 21 games in his first season with the Capitals, 18 the next year, and only 13 last season. The kid needs to play, and maybe something will happen for him as his camp canvasses the league's other teams to gauge interest.