Daniel Winnik Daniel Spencer Winnik ( born March 6 , 1985 ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . Playing career . After two seasons in the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League ( OPJHL ) with the Wexford Raiders , Winnik joined the college hockey ranks with the University of New Hampshire of Hockey East . Following his freshman year , Winnik was drafted 265th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes . He found his scoring touch with the Wildcats in his sophomore year scoring 18 goals for 40 points and was one of UNH ' s best in being named in the NCAA Northeast Regional All - Tournament team . In his junior year Daniel consolidated his break out year by leading the Wildcats with 26 assists and finishing 5th in the Hockey East in scoring with 41 points . He was named as Hockey East player of the month for November and was selected to the Hockey East Second All - Star Team . After completing a three year career with New Hampshire he signed a three - year entry level contract with the Coyotes on March 31 , 2006 . He immediately made his professional debut with AHL affiliate , the San Antonio Rampage , to finish the 2005 – 06 season . In his first full professional year in 2006 – 07 , Winnik played in a checking role with the Rampage scoring 21 points in 66 games while also spending a stint in the ECHL with secondary affiliate , the Phoenix RoadRunners . In 2007 – 08 , Winnik made the Coyotes lineup out of training camp and scored his first NHL goal in his debut on October 4 , 2007 in a 3 – 2 win against the St . Louis Blues . At the end of his first NHL year Winnik had established himself as a regular in the Coyotes team and was looked upon , by coach Wayne Gretzky , as the team ' s top penalty killer . After a promising start to his NHL career , Dan suffered a sophomore slump in 2008 – 09 , scoring just 7 points in 49 games . Seldom used as an reserve forward he was assigned to San Antonio on a 5 game conditioning stint on January 1 , 2009 . He was then re - signed to an arbitrated one - year contract on July 24 , 2009 . Winnik quickly rebounded in the following 2009 – 10 season , regaining a checking line role and finding his scoring touch , tying his career high with 15 assists . As part of a resurgent Coyotes team he made his playoff debut appearing scoreless in 7 games against the Detroit Red Wings . On June 28 , 2010 , Winnik was traded by the Coyotes to the Colorado Avalanche for a fourth round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft . He was then signed to a two - year contract with the Avalanche on July 2 , 2010 . In the 2011 - 12 season at the trade deadline on February 27 , 2012 , Winnik was traded by the Avalanche , along with TJ Galiardi and a seventh - round pick , to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Jamie McGinn and Mike Connolly and Michael Sgarbossa . Unable to agree to terms with the Sharks on a new contract , Winnik was signed as a free agent to a two - year deal with Division rivals , the Anaheim Ducks on July 20 , 2012 On July 28 , 2014 , Winnik signed as a free agent to a one - year contract with his hometown team , the Toronto Maple Leafs , worth $ 1 . 3 million . In the 2014 – 15 season , Winnik proved a versatile asset for the Maple Leafs with his penalty killing abilities and scoring touch , notching 25 points in 58 appearances , and having spent time on all four lines . On February 25 , 2015 , with the Maple Leafs out of playoff contention , he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Zach Sill , a 2015 fourth round pick and a 2016 second round pick . In 21 games with the Penguins , Winnik collected 2 goals and 9 points but was unable to help the Penguins to a deep playoff run . On July 1 , 2015 , Winnik , by this time a fan favourite in Toronto , returned to the Maple Leafs , signing as a free agent on a two - year deal . Winnik ' s offensive production declined from his previous season with the Maple Leafs , though he remained a concrete part of the penalty kill . On February 28 , 2016 , the eve of the trade deadline , Winnik was traded to the Washington Capitals , along with a 5th round selection in the 2016 draft , in exchange for forward Brooks Laich , defenseman Connor Carrick , and a 2nd round draft pick in 2016 .