CHICAGO, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- The Chicago Blackhawks, hoping to get physically tougher, Friday acquired holdout center Andrei Nikolishin and burly left wing Chris Simon from the Washington Capitals.
Chicago sent center Michael Nylander to Washington, along with a third-round pick in the 2003 draft, and a conditional third-round selection in the 2004 draft.
"We've known since the second half of last season that we needed to add playing toughness to our top three lines," said Blackhawks General Manager Mike Smith. "Nikolishin is a top defensive center who will complement our offensive centers. Simon is a top-line player who commands physical strength."
Nikolishin, 29, originally chosen by the Hartford Whalers in the second round of the 1992 draft, did not play for the Capitals this season because of a contract dispute.
He spent the past six seasons with Washington, registering 58 goals and 113 assists in 407 games. After spending five seasons with Dynamo Moscow, Nikolishin made his NHL debut with the Whalers in 1995. He was traded to the Capitals in November 1996.
The 6-4, 235-pound Simon, 30, also spent the past six seasons in Washington after breaking into the NHL in 1992 with the Quebec Nordiques. A member of the Colorado Avalanche team that captured the Stanley Cup in 1996, Simon registered two assists and 23 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Capitals this season.
In his career, Simon has recorded 96 goals, 111 assists, and 1,221 penalty minutes in 466 career games for the Nordiques, Avalanche and Capitals.
Washington is hoping that Nylander, also 30, can regain the form he showed in 2000-01, when he tallied a career-high 25 goals.
"We are looking to upgrade our offense and Nylander can provide that for us," said Capitals General Manager George McPhee. "We feel we have added a quality player to our lineup."
Nylander registered only 15 goals while playing in all 82 games last season. He has yet to score in nine contests this season, managing only four assists. He did set a career high last season with 46 assists.
In 559 career NHL games, Nylander has 122 goals and 255 assists. The Blackhawks acquired him from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 12, 1999.
