It's been almost a week since GM George McPhee decided to stay pat at the trading deadline. Since then, the Washington Capitals barely beat the New York Islanders and were crushed by the New Jersey Devils. Hardly a ringing endorsement that this team is built for the playoffs.
But there could be mitigating factors here. McPhee recently stated that he's not going to negotiate with Alex Semin or Dennis Wideman until after the season -- pretty much ensuring that the entire season will transpire for the first time in recent memory without any trades, signings or extensions. This could be an indication that owner Ted Leonsis has told McPhee to stay the course or could mean that McPhee's stay with the organization is about to end.
In the meantime, the more games that transpire, the more uncertainty seems to develop. There is no steady conviction from the team, and the call-ups from Hershey seem to increase by the week.
With less than 20 games to go, the Caps are out of playoff position and will be fighting until the bitter end to qualify for the postseason -- something that seemed to be a foregone conclusion when the season began.
In my season preview, I stated the team's worst-case scenario: "As in previous seasons, there's always the
possibility that this group is a disaster, injuries hit like wildfire
and the team falls apart -- leading to Boudreau's firing. Doubtful but possible."
It seems that this has become the truth, and going into the summer (one that might follow a non-playoff season), the questions will grow louder and the uncertainty more probable.
March 4, 2012
February 17, 2012
Grading GM George McPhee
With another trade deadline approaching, and Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee suddenly in the spotlight (or the cross-hairs), it's become obvious that there might be major changes this coming off-season. Before then, though, the Caps do still have a chance to make the playoffs. But to meet the season's original goals -- namely winning the Stanley Cup or at least making the Eastern Conference Finals -- the team would have to reverse McPhee's record as GM.
Named the fifth general manager in team history on June 9, 1997, McPhee engineered the club's only trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in his first season (1997-98), albeit with a heavy dose of David Poile-picked players. Under McPhee, the team has claimed six Southeast Division titles (1999-2000, 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11), seven 40-or-more win seasons (1997-98, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11) and set a club record for wins and points (2009-10). But they've missed the playoffs five times, including three in a row in the season before the lockout and the two after it.
McPhee has made 16 first-round draft picks over the last nine years, the most of any NHL team. Some draft highlights and low-lights (not including 2010 or 2011):
Good Deals
Yes, the Caps have done well in the recent past, but that's been during the regular season. They're still not in the class of the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, and a few other perennial contenders who seem to get better as the season progresses. The Caps always have question marks surrounding them, and that falls on McPhee.
Dale Hunter is the fifth Caps' coach under McPhee -- and maybe his last if 15 years of history isn't reversed between now and the end of the season.
Named the fifth general manager in team history on June 9, 1997, McPhee engineered the club's only trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in his first season (1997-98), albeit with a heavy dose of David Poile-picked players. Under McPhee, the team has claimed six Southeast Division titles (1999-2000, 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11), seven 40-or-more win seasons (1997-98, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11) and set a club record for wins and points (2009-10). But they've missed the playoffs five times, including three in a row in the season before the lockout and the two after it.
McPhee has made 16 first-round draft picks over the last nine years, the most of any NHL team. Some draft highlights and low-lights (not including 2010 or 2011):
- 2009: Marcus Johansson and Dmitri Orlov are firmly ensconced on the team and Cody Eakin has made several appearances this year.
- 2008: While Anton Gustafsson never made it anywhere, John Carlson is going to be with the team for a long time and Braden Holtby (picked in the fourth round) seems to have a bright future.
- 2007: Karl Alzner, picked fifth overall, looks to be a great defenseman.
- 2006: Nicklas Backstrom is probably the best player on the team right now (sorry, Ovie), Semyon Varlamov has come and gone, and Michal Neuvirth is doing relatively well in goal. But the steal of this draft was Mathieu Perreault, picked in the sixth round and 177th overall.
- 2005: Nobody made it to the NHL
- 2004: In addition to Ovechkin, Jeff Schultz, Mike Green, Chris Bourque, and Sami Lepisto were all picked in this draft, as was Andrew Gordon (seventh round, 197th overall), who has done well for Hershey.
- 2003: Eric Fehr and nobody else.
- 2002: Steve Eminger, Alexander Semin, and Boyd Gordon were all picked in the first round.
- 2001: Nada.
- 2000: Matt Pettinger
- 1998 and 1999: Nothing worth mentioning.
Good Deals
- Trading for and signing Troy Brouwer, June/July 2011
- Signing Tomas Vokoun (for the most part), July 2011
- Acquiring Dennis Wideman from Florida for Jake Hauswirth and a third-round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, February 2011
- Acquiring Jason Chimera from Columbus for Chris Clark and Milan Jurcina, December 2009
- Acquiring Cristobal Huet from Montreal for a 2nd round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft, February 2008
- Giving what essentially amounts to lifetime contracts to Ovechkin and Backstrom
- Signing Brooks Laich to his current six-year deal
- Trading Semyon Varlamov to the Colorado Avalanche for first- and second-round picks, July 2011
- Signing Joel Ward to a four-year deal, July 2011
- Acquiring D.J. King from St. Louis for Stefan Della Rovere, July 2010
- Acquiring Joe Corvo from Carolina for Brian Pothier, Oskar Osala and a 2nd round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, March 2010
- Signing Jose Theodore, July 2008
- Signing John Erskine, September 2006 and all subsequent contract extensions
- Signing Michael Nylander, July 2007
- Giving Alex Semin a $6.7 million extension last January
- Re-signing Mike Knuble for this season
- Giving Tom Poti a two-year extension on which he's currently serving
- Giving Jeff Schultz a four-year extension (he's got two years after this one)
Yes, the Caps have done well in the recent past, but that's been during the regular season. They're still not in the class of the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, and a few other perennial contenders who seem to get better as the season progresses. The Caps always have question marks surrounding them, and that falls on McPhee.
Dale Hunter is the fifth Caps' coach under McPhee -- and maybe his last if 15 years of history isn't reversed between now and the end of the season.
February 14, 2012
Caps Are Now Unwatchable
In his genius parody of M.C. Hammer, Weird Al Yankovic describes the current state of the Washington Capitals:
And, yes, that's what the Caps have become: a circus act full of comedy, errors, injuries, and even jumping through fiery hoops. As Dave Nichols writes, the team's roster is currently full of "expiring contracts and ill-fitting parts," not to mention an overmatched coach and a GM who has lost his so-called magic touch.
First, the roster: Nobody, not even Alex Ovechkin, has performed up to par this season. Alex Semin is up to his old inconsistent tricks (15 goals, same as Troy Brouwer and Jason Chimera); Nicklas Backstrom, despite playing just 38 games, still is second on the team in points; and Mike Knuble has just 11 points.
But the bigger problem with the roster is that they haven't embraced their desperate situation or done anything differently under Coach Dale Hunter than they did under Bruce Boudreau.
Speaking of Hunter, he's beginning to show his inexperience. His biggest mistake occurred during last night's game (a 5-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks that wasn't even close): he not only started Braden Holtby ahead of Michal Neuvirth (who played Sunday afternoon in New York), but then insulted him along the way and forgot the fact that Holtby (who has played all of 14 NHL games before last night) had started on Sunday for the Hershey Bears.
"It's one of those things that if he was standing on his head every night, would Braden be playing? No," Hunter said. "It's always judged by how you play."
But he forgot the fact that Neuvirth played decently against the Rangers and lost because of faulty defense in front of him. Holtby was returned to Hershey today when regular starter Tomas Vokoun magically got over the "flu" in one day.
Finally, GM George McPhee still blames injuries for the team's current state, saying that missing Backstrom and the frequently injured Mike Green somehow has led to the team's sorry state:
"Of course we've only had that team on ice for eight games. We're 8-0 in those games," he said in today's edition of The Washington Post. "I still think if we get our guys back and if we can add something here in the next couple of weeks we're good enough to win the Stanley Cup."
Um, no, you're not. The Caps weren't good enough to win the Cup when they started the season 7-0 and weren't the last couple of seasons, either. Their defense is still spotty, scoring inconsistent and still don't know how to play a full 60-minute game.
Do you think the Pittsburgh Penguins are making any excuses? Sidney Crosby has played all of 49 games over the last two seasons, yet the Pens currently stand in fifth place in the East (eight points ahead of the Caps) and finished with 106 points last season (without Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for half the season).
The Pens just keep playing, getting better and focusing on defense -- something the Caps have been unable to do (even when healthy). This is a broken franchise with an unhealthy culture -- and that's been around for a while.
McPhee hasn't exactly been lighting up any billboards over the course of his career. Since he took over as the Caps' GM, the team made the Stanley Cup finals in his first season (with mostly leftovers from when David Poile was GM) and, since then, the team has won just two playoff series: both against the Rangers. That's not exactly a winning record.
With the team regressing this season, and too many problems to list in one place, it's time for owner Ted Leonsis to clean house -- and do things the right way for the team to have any realistic chance at winning a Stanley Cup. Until then, the team will be unwatchable -- again.
My my my my TV makes me so bored
Makes me say, oh my lord
What is this garbage here? Wanna cover my eyes and plug my ears
It sucks, and that's no lie
It's about as much fun as watching paint dry
Lowers my IQ one notch
And that's the reason why, uh, I can't watch
Makes me say, oh my lord
What is this garbage here? Wanna cover my eyes and plug my ears
It sucks, and that's no lie
It's about as much fun as watching paint dry
Lowers my IQ one notch
And that's the reason why, uh, I can't watch
And, yes, that's what the Caps have become: a circus act full of comedy, errors, injuries, and even jumping through fiery hoops. As Dave Nichols writes, the team's roster is currently full of "expiring contracts and ill-fitting parts," not to mention an overmatched coach and a GM who has lost his so-called magic touch.
First, the roster: Nobody, not even Alex Ovechkin, has performed up to par this season. Alex Semin is up to his old inconsistent tricks (15 goals, same as Troy Brouwer and Jason Chimera); Nicklas Backstrom, despite playing just 38 games, still is second on the team in points; and Mike Knuble has just 11 points.
But the bigger problem with the roster is that they haven't embraced their desperate situation or done anything differently under Coach Dale Hunter than they did under Bruce Boudreau.
Speaking of Hunter, he's beginning to show his inexperience. His biggest mistake occurred during last night's game (a 5-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks that wasn't even close): he not only started Braden Holtby ahead of Michal Neuvirth (who played Sunday afternoon in New York), but then insulted him along the way and forgot the fact that Holtby (who has played all of 14 NHL games before last night) had started on Sunday for the Hershey Bears.
"It's one of those things that if he was standing on his head every night, would Braden be playing? No," Hunter said. "It's always judged by how you play."
But he forgot the fact that Neuvirth played decently against the Rangers and lost because of faulty defense in front of him. Holtby was returned to Hershey today when regular starter Tomas Vokoun magically got over the "flu" in one day.
Finally, GM George McPhee still blames injuries for the team's current state, saying that missing Backstrom and the frequently injured Mike Green somehow has led to the team's sorry state:
"Of course we've only had that team on ice for eight games. We're 8-0 in those games," he said in today's edition of The Washington Post. "I still think if we get our guys back and if we can add something here in the next couple of weeks we're good enough to win the Stanley Cup."
Um, no, you're not. The Caps weren't good enough to win the Cup when they started the season 7-0 and weren't the last couple of seasons, either. Their defense is still spotty, scoring inconsistent and still don't know how to play a full 60-minute game.
Do you think the Pittsburgh Penguins are making any excuses? Sidney Crosby has played all of 49 games over the last two seasons, yet the Pens currently stand in fifth place in the East (eight points ahead of the Caps) and finished with 106 points last season (without Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for half the season).
The Pens just keep playing, getting better and focusing on defense -- something the Caps have been unable to do (even when healthy). This is a broken franchise with an unhealthy culture -- and that's been around for a while.
McPhee hasn't exactly been lighting up any billboards over the course of his career. Since he took over as the Caps' GM, the team made the Stanley Cup finals in his first season (with mostly leftovers from when David Poile was GM) and, since then, the team has won just two playoff series: both against the Rangers. That's not exactly a winning record.
With the team regressing this season, and too many problems to list in one place, it's time for owner Ted Leonsis to clean house -- and do things the right way for the team to have any realistic chance at winning a Stanley Cup. Until then, the team will be unwatchable -- again.
January 29, 2012
Caps Still Asking Same Questions
At the all-star break, the "p" word is still haunting the Washington Capitals. Not playoffs; potential. It seems that the Caps never play as well as they should in every game. Yes, there are great wins and amazing efforts. But, even under Coach Dale Hunter's more balanced two-way system, that's still not the rule.
A lot of this has to do with the roster. Granted, it's much more balanced and built to play the right way than in years past, but there still are holes. Alex Semin of course is the biggest problem, he of making $6.7 million and registering just 28 points. But Alex Ovechkin (20 goals, 19 assists) is underachieving along with pretty much the entire roster.
Dennis Wideman -- the team's lone all star after Ovechkin decided to skip the contest -- is having a great season and deserves a contract extension. Nicklas Backstrom, before he got hurt, was having a good year too. But it's hard to really laud anybody else.
The team is in first place in the Southeast Division, only by virtue of a tiebreaker, and therefore in third place in the Eastern Conference. But there are five conference teams who have more standings points.
In other words, this season may just be the one that breaks the proverbial camel's back. Not only may Hunter not return but neither might GM George McPhee. Yes, it's very possible -- if not likely -- that the team will win the division. But is this team built to win the Stanley Cup? Nope.
There have been many times this year that the team's potential has teased its fans and others around the NHL. But, during an all-star break that is devoid of excitement, there is no doubt that the franchise isn't in the same optimistic state it was not too long ago.
A lot of this has to do with the roster. Granted, it's much more balanced and built to play the right way than in years past, but there still are holes. Alex Semin of course is the biggest problem, he of making $6.7 million and registering just 28 points. But Alex Ovechkin (20 goals, 19 assists) is underachieving along with pretty much the entire roster.
Dennis Wideman -- the team's lone all star after Ovechkin decided to skip the contest -- is having a great season and deserves a contract extension. Nicklas Backstrom, before he got hurt, was having a good year too. But it's hard to really laud anybody else.
The team is in first place in the Southeast Division, only by virtue of a tiebreaker, and therefore in third place in the Eastern Conference. But there are five conference teams who have more standings points.
In other words, this season may just be the one that breaks the proverbial camel's back. Not only may Hunter not return but neither might GM George McPhee. Yes, it's very possible -- if not likely -- that the team will win the division. But is this team built to win the Stanley Cup? Nope.
There have been many times this year that the team's potential has teased its fans and others around the NHL. But, during an all-star break that is devoid of excitement, there is no doubt that the franchise isn't in the same optimistic state it was not too long ago.
January 13, 2012
Things Looking Up for Caps
The Washington Capitals may be Team Turmoil this season but, through 41 games (exactly halfway through the season), the Caps are just four points behind the Florida Panthers for the Southeast Division lead with a game in hand (both teams play tonight). And they're tied with the reeling Pittsburgh Penguins for the eighth and final playoff spot, three points behind the seventh-place Toronto Maple Leafs.
Watching the team lately, it's easy to see that bright times are ahead. They're playing great defensive hockey and winning home games. They're still a little rusty away from Verizon Center, but are in the second game of a four-game homestand. If things go well, they could be leading the division by the all-star break.
It's also important to remember that GM George McPhee hasn't made any trades yet, but it's apparent that Jeff Schultz isn't in the long-term plan after spending a lot of time as a healthy scratch this season. Schultz has two years left on his deal after this one. John Erskine hasn't played much either, and he's signed for next season as well. It'll be interesting to see what happens over the next 45 days before the trading deadline and which players will be given an extension and who will be sent out of town.
Remember that there are several important players who aren't yet signed for next season, including Alex Semin, Mike Green, Dennis Wideman, Mike Knuble, Jeff Halpern, and John Carlson. (Green and Carlson are restricted free agents, the others are unrestricted.)
Speaking of Wideman, he and Alex Ovechkin will participate in the all-star game later this month. Ovechkin will be making his fifth-consecutive NHL all-star appearance, tying the Caps' club record held by Peter Bondra. Ovechkin leads the team in goals (17), shots (156) and power-play goals (six) and ranks second on the team in points (33) and hits (133).
Wideman will be making his first appearance at an NHL all-star game. He currently ranks fifth in the league among defensemen in points (29), tied for fourth in goals (eight), tied for fifth in assists (21) and leads the Caps in average ice time (24:08).
Finally, as you've probably heard by now, the NHL and NHLPA couldn't agree on the amazing realignment proposal set forth last month, so it appears everything will stay the same for next season.
Watching the team lately, it's easy to see that bright times are ahead. They're playing great defensive hockey and winning home games. They're still a little rusty away from Verizon Center, but are in the second game of a four-game homestand. If things go well, they could be leading the division by the all-star break.
It's also important to remember that GM George McPhee hasn't made any trades yet, but it's apparent that Jeff Schultz isn't in the long-term plan after spending a lot of time as a healthy scratch this season. Schultz has two years left on his deal after this one. John Erskine hasn't played much either, and he's signed for next season as well. It'll be interesting to see what happens over the next 45 days before the trading deadline and which players will be given an extension and who will be sent out of town.
Remember that there are several important players who aren't yet signed for next season, including Alex Semin, Mike Green, Dennis Wideman, Mike Knuble, Jeff Halpern, and John Carlson. (Green and Carlson are restricted free agents, the others are unrestricted.)
Speaking of Wideman, he and Alex Ovechkin will participate in the all-star game later this month. Ovechkin will be making his fifth-consecutive NHL all-star appearance, tying the Caps' club record held by Peter Bondra. Ovechkin leads the team in goals (17), shots (156) and power-play goals (six) and ranks second on the team in points (33) and hits (133).
Wideman will be making his first appearance at an NHL all-star game. He currently ranks fifth in the league among defensemen in points (29), tied for fourth in goals (eight), tied for fifth in assists (21) and leads the Caps in average ice time (24:08).
Finally, as you've probably heard by now, the NHL and NHLPA couldn't agree on the amazing realignment proposal set forth last month, so it appears everything will stay the same for next season.
January 2, 2012
RBC Center: A Fan-Friendly Hockey Environment
I recently had the opportunity to visit RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C., for the first time and I must say I was impressed. The Carolina Hurricanes do a great job of involving the fans at all points of the evening, especially during television timeouts. There were numerous quizzes, game-show type segments, giveaways and other methods to keep the action going while there wasn't any hockey being played.
That being said, the crowd enthusiasm wasn't very high. Most of the noise was arena-generated (much like an NBA game) and the only Horn Guy (unlike the one at Verizon Center) worked for the team as part of the Storm Squad, who even have a corporate sponsorship. Most of the banners belonged to N.C. State, who play their home basketball games there and their football games across the parking lot.
The seating arrangement was fan friendly too. From my seat in the fourth row behind the visitor's penalty box (which I got for a very reasonable price), I could see that most of the seats were in fact in the lower bowl. The club level and upper deck didn't appear that big, although its capacity is 18,176 -- slightly less than the 18,398 (without the standing-room spots) of Verizon Center.
By my count, I've now visited the following arenas: Verizon Center, St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., RBC Center, First Niagara Center in Buffalo, United Center in Chicago -- and two that aren't being used any more: Capital Centre and Brendan Byrne Arena in New Jersey.
This reinforced that Caps fans are lucky to have such a great place to watch a home game.
That being said, the crowd enthusiasm wasn't very high. Most of the noise was arena-generated (much like an NBA game) and the only Horn Guy (unlike the one at Verizon Center) worked for the team as part of the Storm Squad, who even have a corporate sponsorship. Most of the banners belonged to N.C. State, who play their home basketball games there and their football games across the parking lot.
The seating arrangement was fan friendly too. From my seat in the fourth row behind the visitor's penalty box (which I got for a very reasonable price), I could see that most of the seats were in fact in the lower bowl. The club level and upper deck didn't appear that big, although its capacity is 18,176 -- slightly less than the 18,398 (without the standing-room spots) of Verizon Center.
By my count, I've now visited the following arenas: Verizon Center, St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla., RBC Center, First Niagara Center in Buffalo, United Center in Chicago -- and two that aren't being used any more: Capital Centre and Brendan Byrne Arena in New Jersey.
This reinforced that Caps fans are lucky to have such a great place to watch a home game.
December 21, 2011
Wouldn't It Be Nice? (2011 Edition)
Some year-end wishes, inspired by Leonard Shapiro's Washington Post column and the venerable Beach Boys.
Wouldn't it be nice if:
* The Washington Capitals are able to fully embrace Coach Dale Hunter's playing system and thrive in 2012?
* The team played more consistently?
* The special teams continued to improve?
* Alex Ovechkin started scoring goals again on a more regular basis?
* Alex Semin finally is shipped out of town?
* Brooks Laich finally gets some recognition for all of his great play?
* The goalies take a stand?
* The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup?
* The Caps won the Stanley Cup?
Wouldn't it be nice if:
* The Washington Capitals are able to fully embrace Coach Dale Hunter's playing system and thrive in 2012?
* The team played more consistently?
* The special teams continued to improve?
* Alex Ovechkin started scoring goals again on a more regular basis?
* Alex Semin finally is shipped out of town?
* Brooks Laich finally gets some recognition for all of his great play?
* The goalies take a stand?
* The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup?
* The Caps won the Stanley Cup?
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