Capitals acquire D Tim Gleason from Hurricanes in exchange for D Jack Hillen, draft pick

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Washington Capitals have acquired defenceman Tim Gleason from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenceman Jack Hillen and a draft pick.

Under terms of the trade announced Saturday, Carolina receives the Capitals' fourth-round pick in the upcoming draft.

Washington general manager Brian MacLellan calls Gleason "a veteran, physical defenceman" whose "experience, toughness and skill set further strengthens our blue line" for the Capitals' playoff push.

The 32-year-old Gleason has 140 career points in 710 NHL games with Los Angeles, Carolina and Toronto.

He blocked two shots and recorded one hit in 17 minutes of ice time in the Hurricanes' 3-0 win over the Capitals on Friday night. In that game, Hillen had one blocked shot and had a plus-minus rating of minus-1 in 12 minutes on the ice.

Both players are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents this summer.

The Hurricanes traded Gleason for the second time in 14 months. They dealt him to Toronto on New Year's Day 2014 in exchange for defenceman John-Michael Liles and a prospect, then signed him over the summer to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.

"Tim has been a steady presence on and off the ice for our team, and I wish him all the best in Washington," Carolina general manager Ron Francis said. "This gives us a chance to take a look at Jack for the remainder of the season and continue to accumulate assets for a deep draft this summer."

Rebuilding Carolina, which is in last place in the Metropolitan Division, has made three trades in the past week, previously dealing winger Jiri Tlusty to Winnipeg and defenceman Andrej Sekera to Los Angeles. The deals have netted the Hurricanes four draft picks, one prospect and now Hillen — a 29-year-old who has played in 301 career games with the New York Islanders, Nashville and Washington. He is in the final year of a two-year deal with the Capitals that pays him $700,000 per season.

The draft pick that Carolina received originally belonged to Arizona, which dealt it to Washington in a trade for Martin Erat and John Mitchell.