TORONTO, Dec. 11 -- The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday they had traded right wing Dmitri Khristich back to the Washington Capitals for a third-round 2001 draft pick.
A two-time 30-goal scorer who is being paid $3.25 million this season, Khristich had only 15 goals and 24 assists in 80 games with Toronto over the past two years.
Khristich, 31, began his career with the Capitals, recording 121 goals and 129 assists in 315 games from 1990-91 to 1994-95.
The Ukrainian was traded to Los Angeles in 1995 and to Boston two summers later before being dealt to Toronto for a second-round pick on Oct. 20, 1999.
A 1988 sixth-round draft pick, Khristich has 240 goals and 306 assists in 708 NHL games. He scored at least 27 goals in six of his first 10 seasons.
Khristich adds scoring potential to the Caps, who have the fourth-lowest goal total in the Eastern Conference with 67.
"This trade was made to add skill to the lineup," Caps general manager George McPhee said. "Khristich is capable of playing different positions and in all situations. He was very productive in Washington in the past and we expect he'll produce again."
Tied with Ottawa atop the Eastern Conference standings, the Maple Leafs are two wingers down since the start of the day. Veteran Steve Thomas, who plays on the team's top line, is expected to miss six weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
Toronto cleared some money from the payroll, possibly paving the way for the acquisition of concussion-prone center Eric Lindros. The former Hart Trophy winner is a restricted free agent and has said he would like to be traded from the Philadelphia Flyers to the Leafs.
