T.J. Oshie, a former NHL forward, recently revealed a surprising potential reason behind his trade from the St. Louis Blues to the Washington Capitals. Speaking on the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast, Oshie suggested that his use of Accelerated Recovery Performance (ARP), an electrotherapy tool, might have influenced the Blues' decision to trade him.

Oshie explained that he began using ARP to address his injuries, particularly back pain resulting from heavy weightlifting. Impressed by the results, he sought to change his workout regimen, informing the Blues that he would reduce team workouts in favor of ARP sessions. According to Oshie, this decision may have contributed to the organization's choice to trade him. "Maybe part of the reason I got traded from St. Louis," Oshie stated, "I told them I wasn't doing the team's training anymore. I was doing the ARP".

The hosts of "Spittin' Chiclets" found it difficult to believe that this was a primary reason for the trade, but Oshie insisted that he believed it played a role in the Blues' decision.

The trade occurred on July 2, 2015. The Blues sent Oshie to Washington in exchange for Troy Brouwer, goaltender Pheonix Copley, and a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Brouwer played only one season for the Blues, and Copley appeared in just two games. Ironically, Copley later returned to the Capitals as part of a trade that sent Kevin Shattenkirk to St. Louis. The Blues used the acquired third-round pick in a later trade during the 2016 draft, eventually selecting Tage Thompson.

At the time, the Blues were looking to shake up their core after consistent regular-season success that did not translate into deep playoff runs. Oshie's name had been circulating in trade rumors for much of the offseason. The trade also provided some financial relief for the Blues, as Brouwer's contract had a lower cap hit than Oshie's.

The trade proved to be a turning point in Oshie's career. He found a home on the Capitals' top lines, initially playing alongside Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom. In his first season with the Capitals, Oshie recorded 51 points in 80 games. He helped the team win the President's Trophy and reach the second round of the playoffs, where he scored a hat trick in Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2018, Oshie played a key role in helping the Capitals win the Stanley Cup.

Looking back, some observers believe the Capitals clearly won the trade. Oshie became an integral part of the Capitals, contributing both on and off the ice. He provided a spark and skill set that complemented the team's stars, and his energetic personality quickly made him a fan favorite.