GM George McPhee spoke to the Washington Post and Washington Times today in preparation for tomorrow's free-agency frenzy. As expected, McPhee didn't divulge any real news and continued to preach patience.
"We're going to be prudent tomorrow and see if there's anything makes sense for our club. If there is, we'll be involved and try to sign somebody. But if doesn't make sense, we're not going to do anything right now. No deal is better than a bad deal," he said on the Post blog. "If it's the right player at the right money, we'll be interested. But it's not going to be big money. The teams that have done that regret it. Don't be surprised if we sit this one out."
"The forward position, if we could add some more talent or depth we would. On defense we're fine. Goaltending we're fine. We have enough [forwards] internally, we believe, to be a good team, a playoff team. But if there's something that makes us really good, we'll be involved. If not, we'll just go with what we have," he added.
Meanwhile, Corey of the Times spoke with the agents for Alex Semin and Nicklas Backstrom. Both seem to be in the early stages of contract extension discussions with the team. Stating the obvious, any money that goes to them can't be used to sign a free agent or pay a player acquired in a deal.
This is yet further evidence that McPhee will not break up most of the team and only would add either supplemental parts or veterans on the cheap. That's not to say there won't be a signing or trade, and clearly getting rid of Michael Nylander remains a priority. But McPhee historically has been tight-lipped and it seems he's taking that to new levels this year; he was the same way leading up to the trading deadline.
June 30, 2009
Top Seven Free Agents
With money tight, the Caps will be responsible in looking at free agents when the signing period starts tomorrow. A center and one or two (defensive) defensemen are at the top of their list. Some possibilities (in order of preference, last year's cap hit in parentheses):
1. Rob Scuderi ($710,000): The 30-year-old defenseman, along with Hal Gill, shut down the Caps' and Detroit Red Wings' attacks during the playoffs and seems on the verge of launching into the stratosphere. There's always a danger in trying to project from a relatively-small body of work, but Scuderi is a plus-32 over the past three seasons.
2. Hal Gill ($2.075 million): It's impossible not to overemphasize what Gill and Scuderi did against the Caps and Wings. Gill is 33, but he's still got some years left and his 6'7" frame helps move opposing players out of the crease -- a definite need for the Caps.
3. Francois Beauchemin ($1.6 million): The reliable minute-eating blueliner missed an extended period of time last season during to a serious injury and was sorely missed by the Anaheim Ducks. When healthy, though, the 29-year-old Beauchemin plays at least 24 minutes a game and does a great job in his own zone.
4. Dennis Seidenberg ($1.2 million): As a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, the 27-year-old, German-born defensemen was one of the most reliable players for the Caps' Southeast Division rivals. He only scored five goals last year, but fulfills the role of a responsible blueliner with playoff experience.
5. Nik Antropov ($2 million): The 6'6" center was relatively quiet after his trade to the New York Rangers, but has the potential to be a force in front of the net. He also scored 21 goals for the Maple Leafs before the trade and enjoyed a solid 2007-08 campaign (26 goals, 30 assists) in Toronto.
6. Mike Cammaleri ($3.3 million): The 27-year-old center might be a little out of the Caps' price range. But if he duplicates what he did last season with the Calgary Flames (39 goals, 43 assists), it would alter the team tremendously. His 2007-08 season with the L.A. Kings (19 goals, 28 assists), although a grave exception out of the last four, might be a cause for concern.
7. Mikael Samuelsson ($1.2 million): The 32-year-old forward launched 257 shots last season, which would have ranked second on the Caps. He's been steadily improving as a member of the Wings and would be a boon to a Caps' attack that needs more of a presence in front of the net.
The red, white and blue also will be looking at trades and will be patient throughout. But if history repeats itself, there should be some kind of announcement before the end of the week.
1. Rob Scuderi ($710,000): The 30-year-old defenseman, along with Hal Gill, shut down the Caps' and Detroit Red Wings' attacks during the playoffs and seems on the verge of launching into the stratosphere. There's always a danger in trying to project from a relatively-small body of work, but Scuderi is a plus-32 over the past three seasons.
2. Hal Gill ($2.075 million): It's impossible not to overemphasize what Gill and Scuderi did against the Caps and Wings. Gill is 33, but he's still got some years left and his 6'7" frame helps move opposing players out of the crease -- a definite need for the Caps.
3. Francois Beauchemin ($1.6 million): The reliable minute-eating blueliner missed an extended period of time last season during to a serious injury and was sorely missed by the Anaheim Ducks. When healthy, though, the 29-year-old Beauchemin plays at least 24 minutes a game and does a great job in his own zone.
4. Dennis Seidenberg ($1.2 million): As a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, the 27-year-old, German-born defensemen was one of the most reliable players for the Caps' Southeast Division rivals. He only scored five goals last year, but fulfills the role of a responsible blueliner with playoff experience.
5. Nik Antropov ($2 million): The 6'6" center was relatively quiet after his trade to the New York Rangers, but has the potential to be a force in front of the net. He also scored 21 goals for the Maple Leafs before the trade and enjoyed a solid 2007-08 campaign (26 goals, 30 assists) in Toronto.
6. Mike Cammaleri ($3.3 million): The 27-year-old center might be a little out of the Caps' price range. But if he duplicates what he did last season with the Calgary Flames (39 goals, 43 assists), it would alter the team tremendously. His 2007-08 season with the L.A. Kings (19 goals, 28 assists), although a grave exception out of the last four, might be a cause for concern.
7. Mikael Samuelsson ($1.2 million): The 32-year-old forward launched 257 shots last season, which would have ranked second on the Caps. He's been steadily improving as a member of the Wings and would be a boon to a Caps' attack that needs more of a presence in front of the net.
The red, white and blue also will be looking at trades and will be patient throughout. But if history repeats itself, there should be some kind of announcement before the end of the week.
Caps Address RFAs
Before the unrestricted free-agent open season starts tomorrow, the Caps did their part to retain their own restricted free agents. Yesterday, the Caps extended qualifying offers to Chris Bourque, Eric Fehr, Boyd Gordon, Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrisonn, Steve Pinizzotto, Jeff Schultz and Kyle Wilson.
Among that group, Fehr, Gordon, Jurcina, Morrisonn, Pinizzotto and Wilson have arbitration rights, with those hearings scheduled for late July and early August. Players and clubs have the option to elect arbitration by July 5 and 6, respectively. It's possible, although unlikely, that some of those players will not return to the franchise depending on those proceedings.
Fehr and Gordon seem to be locks to return to the Caps. The verdict on Morrisonn, Schultz and Jurcina, while part of the defensive corps, isn't as certain. Morrisonn made about $2 million last year, which he won in arbitration, but clearly regressed in his development. It'll be interesting to see if GM George McPhee tries keeping him at a lower salary.
Jurcina, meanwhile, made just less than $1 million in an up-and-down season. He seems more likely to return because of his salary and gradual improvement over the season. Clearly, there are better options out there -- but the salary cap plays a huge role in those decisions.
Schultz, 22, is still developing and most likely will return because of his salary ($0.65 million) and potential. The same applies to Bourque ($0.525 million), who has excelled in Hershey and might be ready for a shot in the NHL.
The Caps did not extend qualifying offers to Andrew Joudrey, Daren Machesney, Travis Morin and Sasha Pokulok. At one point, Machesney had an outside shot at making the Caps' roster but was surpassed by Simeon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth. Sasha Pokulok was a high pick that never really made it.
This is the first portion of what should be a busy week for the Caps.
Among that group, Fehr, Gordon, Jurcina, Morrisonn, Pinizzotto and Wilson have arbitration rights, with those hearings scheduled for late July and early August. Players and clubs have the option to elect arbitration by July 5 and 6, respectively. It's possible, although unlikely, that some of those players will not return to the franchise depending on those proceedings.
Fehr and Gordon seem to be locks to return to the Caps. The verdict on Morrisonn, Schultz and Jurcina, while part of the defensive corps, isn't as certain. Morrisonn made about $2 million last year, which he won in arbitration, but clearly regressed in his development. It'll be interesting to see if GM George McPhee tries keeping him at a lower salary.
Jurcina, meanwhile, made just less than $1 million in an up-and-down season. He seems more likely to return because of his salary and gradual improvement over the season. Clearly, there are better options out there -- but the salary cap plays a huge role in those decisions.
Schultz, 22, is still developing and most likely will return because of his salary ($0.65 million) and potential. The same applies to Bourque ($0.525 million), who has excelled in Hershey and might be ready for a shot in the NHL.
The Caps did not extend qualifying offers to Andrew Joudrey, Daren Machesney, Travis Morin and Sasha Pokulok. At one point, Machesney had an outside shot at making the Caps' roster but was surpassed by Simeon Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth. Sasha Pokulok was a high pick that never really made it.
This is the first portion of what should be a busy week for the Caps.
June 29, 2009
Clement Picks Caps to Win Cup
It's really early, but thanks to Nate, we know that Bill Clement has picked the Caps to win the 2010 Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, Clement didn't say too much about why he made that selection other than the Caps' young players are following in the Penguins footsteps.
The Caps clearly are one of the front-runners to win the Cup but still need some improvement, such as (say it with me now) a second-line center and one or two defensemen.
STC is on record with the Chicago Blackhawks as the 2010 Cup winners. Like the Caps, the Windy City pucksters aren't perfect. But both teams have a great shot as emerging as champs.
The Caps clearly are one of the front-runners to win the Cup but still need some improvement, such as (say it with me now) a second-line center and one or two defensemen.
STC is on record with the Chicago Blackhawks as the 2010 Cup winners. Like the Caps, the Windy City pucksters aren't perfect. But both teams have a great shot as emerging as champs.
Laich Ready When Needed
As has been discussed in this space before, Brooks Laich is one of the most valuable players on the Caps. He's always ready and able to play in every situation and next season might be his most important yet. Laich is in line for a promotion if the team does not sign anybody to fill the center position vacated by the departed Sergei Fedorov.
"We feel Brooks Laich can play [second-line center], and he might be able to play it very well," GM George McPhee said over the weekend. "He did it a lot last year when Sergei was injured."
In May, Laich already was looking for bigger things from the 2009-10 campaign.
"They'll sit down and look over every aspect of our team and how we're going to be better next year and then come back to each of us as players and say this is going to be your goal," he said. "I'm sure I'll talk to Bruce [Boudreau] over the summer sometime and he'll inform me, you're going to play left wing, you're going to play center. This is what we're expecting of you."
Laich's abilities aren't always reflected in the numbers. Although he's scored 44 goals over the last two seasons, the more important statistics is that he hasn't missed a game during that span and only received 66 PIMs. He kills penalties, gets power-play time and might be the Caps' best weapon parked in front of the opponent's net.
"I still consider myself a centerman, even though the last couple of years here, I've played mostly wing," Laich said. "But I grew up as a center and always played center until I got here. I love playing the middle of the ice."
With money tight and important positions to fill, Laich's role should increase. And that's music to the ears of hockey-mad locals.
"We feel Brooks Laich can play [second-line center], and he might be able to play it very well," GM George McPhee said over the weekend. "He did it a lot last year when Sergei was injured."
In May, Laich already was looking for bigger things from the 2009-10 campaign.
"They'll sit down and look over every aspect of our team and how we're going to be better next year and then come back to each of us as players and say this is going to be your goal," he said. "I'm sure I'll talk to Bruce [Boudreau] over the summer sometime and he'll inform me, you're going to play left wing, you're going to play center. This is what we're expecting of you."
Laich's abilities aren't always reflected in the numbers. Although he's scored 44 goals over the last two seasons, the more important statistics is that he hasn't missed a game during that span and only received 66 PIMs. He kills penalties, gets power-play time and might be the Caps' best weapon parked in front of the opponent's net.
"I still consider myself a centerman, even though the last couple of years here, I've played mostly wing," Laich said. "But I grew up as a center and always played center until I got here. I love playing the middle of the ice."
With money tight and important positions to fill, Laich's role should increase. And that's music to the ears of hockey-mad locals.
June 28, 2009
Sticking to the Plan
GM George McPhee seems to still be haunted by Jaromir Jagr. Every time a big-time deal is mentioned, he alludes to the Jagr situation from years ago.
"Just don't expect us to go out and commit to a big or long-term deal in free agency. We've seen that movie before," McPhee said.
That's not to say that the Caps not trading for Chris Pronger at this weekend's NHL draft was a mistake. The Anaheim Ducks asked for too much and GMGM smartly said no. The Caps are going to be patient and wait for the right player. The only risk in not making any moves, though, is that they will be left without anybody or forced to sign the leftovers, similar to what happened last summer when Cristobal Huet bolted for Chicago and Jose Theodore ended up coming here.
McPhee's approach will benefit the Caps in the long-run, especially with decisions on the futures of Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Semin looming next summer.
The Caps, meanwhile, did trade disappointing prospect Sami Lepisto to the Phoenix Coyotes, marking the end of a very short stint with the organization that was mostly spent in Hershey.
"We are very deep with NHL defenseman. If you have the luxury of being able to get a pick for somebody you don't perceive as being in the top six or seven on your team, then you do it," Bruce Boudreau said.
The Caps may have a lot of NHL defensemen, but that doesn't mean they can't improve. In fact, GMGM wouldn't have inquired about Pronger twice if they were all set on the blueline. Clearly, the team's biggest need is a second-line center, but adding a defenseman is paramount. In fact, the team selected three of them during the draft.
As for those centers, the Caps took two in the draft. Brooks Laich appears to be the beneficiary if the team stands pat during the rest of the off-season. He clearly has the skills to fill that role, but his best spot on the team is the one he occupies now: flexible forward.
The drama continues to build to free agency, which opens on Wednesday.
"Just don't expect us to go out and commit to a big or long-term deal in free agency. We've seen that movie before," McPhee said.
That's not to say that the Caps not trading for Chris Pronger at this weekend's NHL draft was a mistake. The Anaheim Ducks asked for too much and GMGM smartly said no. The Caps are going to be patient and wait for the right player. The only risk in not making any moves, though, is that they will be left without anybody or forced to sign the leftovers, similar to what happened last summer when Cristobal Huet bolted for Chicago and Jose Theodore ended up coming here.
McPhee's approach will benefit the Caps in the long-run, especially with decisions on the futures of Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Semin looming next summer.
The Caps, meanwhile, did trade disappointing prospect Sami Lepisto to the Phoenix Coyotes, marking the end of a very short stint with the organization that was mostly spent in Hershey.
"We are very deep with NHL defenseman. If you have the luxury of being able to get a pick for somebody you don't perceive as being in the top six or seven on your team, then you do it," Bruce Boudreau said.
The Caps may have a lot of NHL defensemen, but that doesn't mean they can't improve. In fact, GMGM wouldn't have inquired about Pronger twice if they were all set on the blueline. Clearly, the team's biggest need is a second-line center, but adding a defenseman is paramount. In fact, the team selected three of them during the draft.
As for those centers, the Caps took two in the draft. Brooks Laich appears to be the beneficiary if the team stands pat during the rest of the off-season. He clearly has the skills to fill that role, but his best spot on the team is the one he occupies now: flexible forward.
The drama continues to build to free agency, which opens on Wednesday.
June 26, 2009
Pre-Draft Notes
A few last-minute notes before the draft starts:
* Alex Ovechkin has been nominated for two ESPYs -- best NHL player and (a starring role in) best play, his goal in a 4-0 game five win over the New York Rangers. Vote now!
* Speaking of achievements, the Caps' amazing PR staff has captured its third-consecutive Dick Dillman Award. Much kudos to Nate Ewell, Paul Rovnak, Kurt Kehl, Kelly Murray, Rachel Buck and everybody else who helps out.
* Next year's salary cap will be $56.8 million and the floor will be $40.8 million.
* Check out my draft commentary over at Cycle Like the Sedins, a wonderful hockey blog that's been very good to STC.
* Alex Ovechkin has been nominated for two ESPYs -- best NHL player and (a starring role in) best play, his goal in a 4-0 game five win over the New York Rangers. Vote now!
* Speaking of achievements, the Caps' amazing PR staff has captured its third-consecutive Dick Dillman Award. Much kudos to Nate Ewell, Paul Rovnak, Kurt Kehl, Kelly Murray, Rachel Buck and everybody else who helps out.
* Next year's salary cap will be $56.8 million and the floor will be $40.8 million.
* Check out my draft commentary over at Cycle Like the Sedins, a wonderful hockey blog that's been very good to STC.
Semin, the 'Ultimate Wild Card'
Today's Washington Times contains an article outline the Caps' trading possibilities for the weekend. The most noticeable part, though, adds Alex Semin to the team's trade bait:
Trading Semin would be the biggest statement that the Caps mean business in their quest for a Cup. Further, it would illustrate that things are going to be different next season. It might be a short-term risk, but the long-term rewards most likely would be greater.
The ultimate wild card could be Alexander Semin. The right wing, who had the third-most points on the Caps last season, remains an enigma. He is also a restricted free agent after next season and will earn $5 million in 2009-10. The Caps may not be able to afford a long-term contract for Semin after next year, especially if the cap drops for the 2010-11 campaign. Including Semin in any deal would ensure a big return, but it's a high-risk maneuver.
Trading Semin would be the biggest statement that the Caps mean business in their quest for a Cup. Further, it would illustrate that things are going to be different next season. It might be a short-term risk, but the long-term rewards most likely would be greater.
June 25, 2009
Drama Over: Fedorov Signs in Russia
Tarik is reporting this morning that Sergei Fedorov has signed with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL. No word from the Caps, but they didn't say anything when Viktor Kozlov headed back to the mother land either.
Although this report is not a revation, it certainly hightens the Caps' need for a second-line center -- something they need to address via trade or free agency in the next week or two.
Although this report is not a revation, it certainly hightens the Caps' need for a second-line center -- something they need to address via trade or free agency in the next week or two.
June 24, 2009
UFA Update
Tarik checked in today with some updates:
* Donald Brashear does not appear to be the Caps' plans for next year. The foundation for this was laid when the Caps gave John Erskine an extension last summer. Additionally, with Matt Bradley taking a more physical role -- and flashing more offense than Brash -- this isn't entirely surprising.
* Sergei Fedorov and the Caps continue to talk. Still. Talk about beating a dead horse.
* GMGM also reiterated his stance on trades, giving only the slightest indication that the Caps might look for some new (already in the NHL) players at this weekend's draft.
* Donald Brashear does not appear to be the Caps' plans for next year. The foundation for this was laid when the Caps gave John Erskine an extension last summer. Additionally, with Matt Bradley taking a more physical role -- and flashing more offense than Brash -- this isn't entirely surprising.
* Sergei Fedorov and the Caps continue to talk. Still. Talk about beating a dead horse.
* GMGM also reiterated his stance on trades, giving only the slightest indication that the Caps might look for some new (already in the NHL) players at this weekend's draft.
Trade Winds Still Dormant
For the Caps, this year's NHL draft is really about two things: finding value in their picks and potentially ridding themselves of unwanted salaries. The team's picks this time around (round/pick) are 1/24, 2/55, 3/85, 4/115, 5/144, 6/174 and 7/204.
While a pick in this year's draft most likely wouldn't even crack the AHL for another two years (at least), a player involved in a trade should have an immediate impact. As has been discussed several times, Michael Nylander and Jose Theodore are the players the Caps need to get rid of as soon as possible.
Nylander to the KHL rumors still are floating around, but trading him would guarantee that his $5.5 million salary would get off the books. GM George McPhee probably will have to sell the Brooklyn Bridge to get a team to take Nyls, but stranger things have happened.
As for Theo, there are some potential homes for him:
* St. Louis might want a veteran to pair with Chris Mason in a time-share deal. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that there's much to trade back to the Caps.
* Colorado definitely needs a goalie, but no guarantees if Theo would return to that situation. But the Avs do have a few players that might help the Caps, including John-Michael Liles.
* Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson, 39, is a UFA and the Oilers might want a younger player -- especially since Theo only has a year left on his current deal. The team might want to get rid of Sheldon Souray, although that's doubtful.
* If the New York Islanders are, well, themselves, they might consider trading Mark Streit. But his contract doesn't expire until the 2013-14 season, so it's unlikely GMGM would take on that kind of commitment.
* And then there's Toronto, where Brian Burke is as unpredictable as they come. The Leafs definitely don't have a No. 1 goalie for next season and have very few untradable commodities not named Luke Schenn. Pavel Kubina and Tomas Kaberle are two possibilities that would help the Caps and not inflict long-term damage to the salary cap.
So while you admire some of the young up-and-comers on Friday night, keep an ear out for a trade coming from the Caps' table. Maybe GMGM will surprise us all -- or maybe not.
While a pick in this year's draft most likely wouldn't even crack the AHL for another two years (at least), a player involved in a trade should have an immediate impact. As has been discussed several times, Michael Nylander and Jose Theodore are the players the Caps need to get rid of as soon as possible.
Nylander to the KHL rumors still are floating around, but trading him would guarantee that his $5.5 million salary would get off the books. GM George McPhee probably will have to sell the Brooklyn Bridge to get a team to take Nyls, but stranger things have happened.
As for Theo, there are some potential homes for him:
* St. Louis might want a veteran to pair with Chris Mason in a time-share deal. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that there's much to trade back to the Caps.
* Colorado definitely needs a goalie, but no guarantees if Theo would return to that situation. But the Avs do have a few players that might help the Caps, including John-Michael Liles.
* Edmonton's Dwayne Roloson, 39, is a UFA and the Oilers might want a younger player -- especially since Theo only has a year left on his current deal. The team might want to get rid of Sheldon Souray, although that's doubtful.
* If the New York Islanders are, well, themselves, they might consider trading Mark Streit. But his contract doesn't expire until the 2013-14 season, so it's unlikely GMGM would take on that kind of commitment.
* And then there's Toronto, where Brian Burke is as unpredictable as they come. The Leafs definitely don't have a No. 1 goalie for next season and have very few untradable commodities not named Luke Schenn. Pavel Kubina and Tomas Kaberle are two possibilities that would help the Caps and not inflict long-term damage to the salary cap.
So while you admire some of the young up-and-comers on Friday night, keep an ear out for a trade coming from the Caps' table. Maybe GMGM will surprise us all -- or maybe not.
June 23, 2009
Semin's Problems: Penalties, Consistancy
Alex Semin, with all of his deft dekes and raw talent, remains a mystery. Now that the summer before what could be his final season in Washington has arrived, Semin is hoping for a contract extension as one of the team's two big-name RFAs next summer. (The other is Nicklas Backstrom, a lock to remain in the red, white and blue for a long time.)
Semin's first 16 games and last 21 of the 2008-09 campaign were some of his best of his career. In between, however, he disappeared. Cast in point: in those 38 games, Sasha scored 25 goals and registered 28 assists. In between, he missed 19 games and only scored nine times.
Furthermore, Semin boasted the second-most points in the league in the season's first quarter (Patrick Kane had 31 to Semin's 27) and, in the final quarter, he was sixth at 26 (Alex Ovechkin boasted 33 points in his last 21 games).
Semin also posted the worst points-to-penalty-minute ratio among the team's top-five scorers (79 points, 77 PIMs, 1.03). Backstrom had the best (88 points, 46 PIMs, 1.9), followed by Brooks Laich (53 points, 31 PIMs, 1.7), Ovechkin (110 points, 72 PIMs, 1.53) and Mike Green (73 points, 68 PIMs, 1.07).
Backstrom and Laich were the only two Caps to play all 82 games; Matt Bradley played 81, Ovechkin and Milan Jurcina suited up for 79. (Semin played just 62.)
Semin is scheduled to earn $5 million next season (third on the team, tied with Green, behind Ovechkin and Michael Nylander) and probably ask for more in his next contract. In order for him to earn his keep, however, he needs to play more games, register more points and lower his penalty minutes.
If not, GM George McPhee and the Caps should seriously consider trading him this summer (which this blogger favors), keeping him at a reduced cost beyond next season or letting him walk to the highest bidder (while taking the compensation received for a lost RFA).
Semin's first 16 games and last 21 of the 2008-09 campaign were some of his best of his career. In between, however, he disappeared. Cast in point: in those 38 games, Sasha scored 25 goals and registered 28 assists. In between, he missed 19 games and only scored nine times.
Furthermore, Semin boasted the second-most points in the league in the season's first quarter (Patrick Kane had 31 to Semin's 27) and, in the final quarter, he was sixth at 26 (Alex Ovechkin boasted 33 points in his last 21 games).
Semin also posted the worst points-to-penalty-minute ratio among the team's top-five scorers (79 points, 77 PIMs, 1.03). Backstrom had the best (88 points, 46 PIMs, 1.9), followed by Brooks Laich (53 points, 31 PIMs, 1.7), Ovechkin (110 points, 72 PIMs, 1.53) and Mike Green (73 points, 68 PIMs, 1.07).
Backstrom and Laich were the only two Caps to play all 82 games; Matt Bradley played 81, Ovechkin and Milan Jurcina suited up for 79. (Semin played just 62.)
Semin is scheduled to earn $5 million next season (third on the team, tied with Green, behind Ovechkin and Michael Nylander) and probably ask for more in his next contract. In order for him to earn his keep, however, he needs to play more games, register more points and lower his penalty minutes.
If not, GM George McPhee and the Caps should seriously consider trading him this summer (which this blogger favors), keeping him at a reduced cost beyond next season or letting him walk to the highest bidder (while taking the compensation received for a lost RFA).
June 22, 2009
Woods Joins Staff
The Caps hired Hershey Coach Bob Woods for the vacant assistant coach position, reuniting him with Bruce Boudreau behind the bench. Woods will coach the defense and help reinforce Boudreau's system, which also is used in Hershey.
It's a great decision and, along with Dean Evason, gives the Caps two assistant coaches with head-coaching experience and tons of credentials.
It's a great decision and, along with Dean Evason, gives the Caps two assistant coaches with head-coaching experience and tons of credentials.
One Team, Many Questions
As trading and signing season approaches, it's time to analyze the Caps' roster in order to best determine the team's needs. A look at the current make-up (noting that Viktor Kozlov is no longer in the picture):
Must Keep: Alex Ovechkin (signed until 2020-21), Nicklas Backstrom (RFA after next season), Brooks Laich (UFA after 2010-11), Mike Green (RFA after 2011-12), Karl Alzner (RFA after 2011-12), David Steckel (UFA after next season) and Simeon Varlamov (RFA after 2011-12).
Positives Outweigh Negatives: Eric Fehr (RFA now), Tomas Fleischmann (RFA after next season), Boyd Gordon (RFA now), Keith Aucoin (UFA after next season), Matt Bradley (UFA after 2010-11), Jeff Schultz (RFA now), Sean Collins (UFA after 2010-11), Tyler Sloan (UFA after next season), John Erskine (UFA after 2010-11) and Brent Johnson (UFA now).
Expendable: Donald Brashear (UFA now), Michael Nylander (UFA after 2010-11), Tom Poti (UFA after 2011-12), Graham Mink (UFA now), Shaone Morrisonn (RFA now), Milan Jurcina (RFA now), Sami Lepisto (RFA now) and Brian Helmer (UFA now).
Not Enough Information: Chris Bourque (RFA now), Oskar Osala (RFA after 2010-11), Andrew Gordon (RFA after 2009-10) and Michal Neuvirth (RFA after 2010-11).
The Big Question Marks: Alex Semin (RFA after next season), Chris Clark (UFA after 2010-11), Alexandre Giroux (UFA now), Brian Pothier (UFA after next season) and Sergei Fedorov (UFA now).
Clearly, the Caps' 2009-10 salary cap room will be determined by two factors: one, the ability to get rid of dead weight (Nylander and, some would argue, Poti), and whether GM George McPhee decides to negotiate with Backstrom and Semin this summer or next. It's probably safe to assume that Fedorov is not returning, but if that turns out to be false, then it'll give the team far less flexibility.
The team's top needs are a stay-at-home defenseman and a second-line center. Laich and Aucoin will get long looks at the latter, but it would be shocking if GMGM doesn't consider attaining a forward.
As for Giroux, it will be interesting to see if the team gives him a shot after his monster AHL campaign and, if so, where he fits into the fold. Finally, Clark and Pothier have battled injuries during their Caps' tenure and are probably nearing the end of the line. It'll be interested to see if GMGM takes any action on that end.
Must Keep: Alex Ovechkin (signed until 2020-21), Nicklas Backstrom (RFA after next season), Brooks Laich (UFA after 2010-11), Mike Green (RFA after 2011-12), Karl Alzner (RFA after 2011-12), David Steckel (UFA after next season) and Simeon Varlamov (RFA after 2011-12).
Positives Outweigh Negatives: Eric Fehr (RFA now), Tomas Fleischmann (RFA after next season), Boyd Gordon (RFA now), Keith Aucoin (UFA after next season), Matt Bradley (UFA after 2010-11), Jeff Schultz (RFA now), Sean Collins (UFA after 2010-11), Tyler Sloan (UFA after next season), John Erskine (UFA after 2010-11) and Brent Johnson (UFA now).
Expendable: Donald Brashear (UFA now), Michael Nylander (UFA after 2010-11), Tom Poti (UFA after 2011-12), Graham Mink (UFA now), Shaone Morrisonn (RFA now), Milan Jurcina (RFA now), Sami Lepisto (RFA now) and Brian Helmer (UFA now).
Not Enough Information: Chris Bourque (RFA now), Oskar Osala (RFA after 2010-11), Andrew Gordon (RFA after 2009-10) and Michal Neuvirth (RFA after 2010-11).
The Big Question Marks: Alex Semin (RFA after next season), Chris Clark (UFA after 2010-11), Alexandre Giroux (UFA now), Brian Pothier (UFA after next season) and Sergei Fedorov (UFA now).
Clearly, the Caps' 2009-10 salary cap room will be determined by two factors: one, the ability to get rid of dead weight (Nylander and, some would argue, Poti), and whether GM George McPhee decides to negotiate with Backstrom and Semin this summer or next. It's probably safe to assume that Fedorov is not returning, but if that turns out to be false, then it'll give the team far less flexibility.
The team's top needs are a stay-at-home defenseman and a second-line center. Laich and Aucoin will get long looks at the latter, but it would be shocking if GMGM doesn't consider attaining a forward.
As for Giroux, it will be interesting to see if the team gives him a shot after his monster AHL campaign and, if so, where he fits into the fold. Finally, Clark and Pothier have battled injuries during their Caps' tenure and are probably nearing the end of the line. It'll be interested to see if GMGM takes any action on that end.
June 19, 2009
Game Seven Pain Still There
It's been about a month since the Caps said goodbye for the summer and the pain from the Pens' victory in game seven -- and subsequent capturing of the Stanley Cup -- does not hurt any less.
"It's tough to know why we have off-days like that,” Captain Chris Clark said on May 15. "Good teams are going to make it. You need the right balances. Everything has to go your way to win the Stanley Cup. You keep rolling on your good fortunes. We as a team had a bad game. That doesn't happen much. And that one game where it's do-or-die, it really hurt us."
"I'm still kind of in shock a bit about the way things played out in game seven," Matt Bradley said that day. "The good thing is the sun came up the next day, life goes on and now we can work towards next year."
The even better news for the Caps is that there's a lot of promise moving towards next season, one that many believe will be their best shot yet at winning the Cup. The NHL draft is next Friday and free agency starts a few days after that.
Between now and then, STC will get you ready for what to expect. But, no matter how hard we try, GM George McPhee will pull some rabbits out of his hat.
"It's tough to know why we have off-days like that,” Captain Chris Clark said on May 15. "Good teams are going to make it. You need the right balances. Everything has to go your way to win the Stanley Cup. You keep rolling on your good fortunes. We as a team had a bad game. That doesn't happen much. And that one game where it's do-or-die, it really hurt us."
"I'm still kind of in shock a bit about the way things played out in game seven," Matt Bradley said that day. "The good thing is the sun came up the next day, life goes on and now we can work towards next year."
The even better news for the Caps is that there's a lot of promise moving towards next season, one that many believe will be their best shot yet at winning the Cup. The NHL draft is next Friday and free agency starts a few days after that.
Between now and then, STC will get you ready for what to expect. But, no matter how hard we try, GM George McPhee will pull some rabbits out of his hat.
Awards Galore
Alex Ovechkin still is the king of the NHL. Last night, he became part of an exclusive club of back-to-back winners of the Hart Memorial Trophy (league MVP as voted by the media) and the Lester Pearson Award (player's MVP). He also joined the league's first team, becoming the second player ever to make the squad in his first four seasons in the league (the other was Montreal Canadiens' Hall of Famer Bill Durnan from 1944-47).
According to the Caps' Mike Vogel, "nine of the 10 previous players to win consecutive Hart Trophies are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame and the tenth (Dominik Hasek) is a virtual lock to be inducted as soon as he is eligible. At the age of 23, Ovechkin is the second-youngest player to win consecutive Hart Trophies first Russian player to win multiple Hart Trophies."
Not surprisingly, Mike Green lost out to Zdeno Chara, 1,034-982, in the race for the Norris Trophy as the league's top blueliner. The award seems destined for more defensive-defensemen, at least for the immediate future. Hopefully Green can change that.
But Green joined Ovechkin on the NHL's first team, marking the first time in franchise history that the feat had been accomplished.
The best line of the night went to Ovechkin, who at the end of his acceptance speech for the Hart, said "next year, we win Stanley Cup." Now let's make it happen.
According to the Caps' Mike Vogel, "nine of the 10 previous players to win consecutive Hart Trophies are enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame and the tenth (Dominik Hasek) is a virtual lock to be inducted as soon as he is eligible. At the age of 23, Ovechkin is the second-youngest player to win consecutive Hart Trophies first Russian player to win multiple Hart Trophies."
Not surprisingly, Mike Green lost out to Zdeno Chara, 1,034-982, in the race for the Norris Trophy as the league's top blueliner. The award seems destined for more defensive-defensemen, at least for the immediate future. Hopefully Green can change that.
But Green joined Ovechkin on the NHL's first team, marking the first time in franchise history that the feat had been accomplished.
The best line of the night went to Ovechkin, who at the end of his acceptance speech for the Hart, said "next year, we win Stanley Cup." Now let's make it happen.
June 18, 2009
McPhee Still Tight-Lipped
Tarik spoke to GM George McPhee yesterday, but was unable to shed any significant light on the status of Michael Nylander, Donald Brashear and Sergei Fedorov (who will be presenting the Hart Trophy tonight).
GMGM (obviously) is more than willing to let Nylander play in the KHL, but doesn't think it'll happen. He still thinks Feds is heading back to Russia, though.
More information should become available leading to next Friday's NHL Draft and the start of free agency on July 1.
GMGM (obviously) is more than willing to let Nylander play in the KHL, but doesn't think it'll happen. He still thinks Feds is heading back to Russia, though.
More information should become available leading to next Friday's NHL Draft and the start of free agency on July 1.
June 17, 2009
Alex Ovechkin on 'First Take'
Alex the Great hit ESPN2's "First Take" today and really didn't say anything too noteworthy. But it's definitely worth a watch:
The First Signing: Quintin Laing
The Caps have re-signed pending unrestricted free agent (and shot-blocking machine) Quintin Laing to a one-year contract. He just finished a two-year, relatively low-paying contract so this isn't really a salary cap hit. But it is a character signing, and that's an important beginning.
June 16, 2009
Award Week Notes
Leading into Thursday's NHL awards ceremony in Las Vegas, we have some actual news to report on the Caps:
* Alex Ovechkin will be appearing on ESPN2's "First Take" at about 1:15 p.m. tomorrow (live). Tune in for what's sure to be entertaining, if nothing else.
* Mike Green, the Caps' other rep in Sin City, caught up with Tarik and Corey today.
* Speaking of Vegas, Dan Steinberg reports that the odds of the Caps winning the Cup next season are 10-1, behind the Detroit Red Wings (6-1), Pittsburgh Penguins (7-1) and Boston Bruins (9-1), tied with the San Jose Sharks and slightly ahead of my pick, the Chicago Blackhawks (12-1).
* Finally, next week is the second Caps Week on Comcast SportsNet. The network will re-air five games from this past season. Thankfully, game seven against the Pens is not one of them.
* Alex Ovechkin will be appearing on ESPN2's "First Take" at about 1:15 p.m. tomorrow (live). Tune in for what's sure to be entertaining, if nothing else.
* Mike Green, the Caps' other rep in Sin City, caught up with Tarik and Corey today.
* Speaking of Vegas, Dan Steinberg reports that the odds of the Caps winning the Cup next season are 10-1, behind the Detroit Red Wings (6-1), Pittsburgh Penguins (7-1) and Boston Bruins (9-1), tied with the San Jose Sharks and slightly ahead of my pick, the Chicago Blackhawks (12-1).
* Finally, next week is the second Caps Week on Comcast SportsNet. The network will re-air five games from this past season. Thankfully, game seven against the Pens is not one of them.
June 13, 2009
March of the Penguins
As you may have heard, the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup last night with a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. For Caps fans, this is most likely the worst result possible in a season that was full of such promise and hope. Not only did it end with the Caps' biggest rival winning the Cup, but it included another playoff loss to Pittsburgh.
Furthering the pain is the fact that this could be the beginning of a long championship run by the Pens. The Caps' mission is straightforward but not simple: find a way to improve and beat the Pens, a team that is better than the red, white and blue right now. That means finding a full roster of players that pay the price every night, stick to Bruce Boudreau's masterful system, storm the crease and never take the night (or a period) off.
It won't be easy, but that's the only way the Caps will be on the positive end of this dichotomy. The good news is that there's lots of talent in the system and good players available throughout the league.
There's good news to report, too: Hershey won the Calder Cup last night, their second in four seasons as the Caps' AHL affiliate, so celebrations are in order throughout the organization. But the bitter taste of a Pens' Stanley Cup victory should resonate with the team and overpower anything else. Most importantly, it must drive George McPhee to lead the organization in the direction it needs to go.
Finally, as has become tradition around these parts, it's time to pick next year's champion. I'm one-for-three in this endeavor, but here goes nothing: the Chicago Blackhawks will capture the 2010 Stanley Cup. And, please, bet responsibly.
Furthering the pain is the fact that this could be the beginning of a long championship run by the Pens. The Caps' mission is straightforward but not simple: find a way to improve and beat the Pens, a team that is better than the red, white and blue right now. That means finding a full roster of players that pay the price every night, stick to Bruce Boudreau's masterful system, storm the crease and never take the night (or a period) off.
It won't be easy, but that's the only way the Caps will be on the positive end of this dichotomy. The good news is that there's lots of talent in the system and good players available throughout the league.
There's good news to report, too: Hershey won the Calder Cup last night, their second in four seasons as the Caps' AHL affiliate, so celebrations are in order throughout the organization. But the bitter taste of a Pens' Stanley Cup victory should resonate with the team and overpower anything else. Most importantly, it must drive George McPhee to lead the organization in the direction it needs to go.
Finally, as has become tradition around these parts, it's time to pick next year's champion. I'm one-for-three in this endeavor, but here goes nothing: the Chicago Blackhawks will capture the 2010 Stanley Cup. And, please, bet responsibly.
June 12, 2009
It's the End of the Season As We Know It
A great NHL season overall comes down to one of the best moments in sports: game seven of the Stanley Cup finals. The mighty Detroit Red Wings, the defending champs who have lost but one game on home ice this postseason, face the Pittsburgh Penguins -- young and, in many cases, only playing their second NHL game seven ever. All the advantages reside with the Hockeytown reps, but in a game like this, a fluky bounce can determine the champion.
The Wings are only playing their second elimination game of the last two seasons; the other was a 4-3 win over in game seven earlier this playoff year against the Anaheim Ducks. The Pens, as we all know, won game seven against the Caps, 6-2.
Out west in Winnipeg, the Hershey Bears will partake in game six against the Manitoba Moose needing one win to secure the Calder Cup. A loss would force a game seven on Sunday, also hosted by the Moose.
Finally, a big congrats to Leslie, JP and Greg/Puck Daddy for their HockeyBarn nominations. All are much deserved.
The Wings are only playing their second elimination game of the last two seasons; the other was a 4-3 win over in game seven earlier this playoff year against the Anaheim Ducks. The Pens, as we all know, won game seven against the Caps, 6-2.
Out west in Winnipeg, the Hershey Bears will partake in game six against the Manitoba Moose needing one win to secure the Calder Cup. A loss would force a game seven on Sunday, also hosted by the Moose.
Finally, a big congrats to Leslie, JP and Greg/Puck Daddy for their HockeyBarn nominations. All are much deserved.
June 10, 2009
Russia-Gate Continues
With Viktor Kozlov officially back in Russia, attention turns to Sergei Fedorov -- who has been pretty open in keeping the public informed. Feds is weighing his options, but has spoken to the Caps about an extension.
Meanwhile, throw Brent Johnson into the mix of contract negotiations. STC remains steadfast in the belief that the Caps should keep Johnny and trade Jose Theodore. We shall see if that comes to pass.
Meanwhile, as you've heard already, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Manitoba Moose staved off elimination last night with 2-1 and 3-2 wins, respectively. Both game seven of the Stanley Cup finals and game six of the Calder Cup finals will be played Friday night.
Meanwhile, throw Brent Johnson into the mix of contract negotiations. STC remains steadfast in the belief that the Caps should keep Johnny and trade Jose Theodore. We shall see if that comes to pass.
Meanwhile, as you've heard already, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Manitoba Moose staved off elimination last night with 2-1 and 3-2 wins, respectively. Both game seven of the Stanley Cup finals and game six of the Calder Cup finals will be played Friday night.
June 9, 2009
Carrier Dome Might Host Hockey Doubleheader
SU's Carrier Dome could host its first-ever hockey game, if Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon has his way. Actually, the Dome is Dolgon's second choice; his top selection is Alliance Bank Stadium (home to the Nats' Class AAA-affiliated Syracuse Chiefs) in what would be the AHL's first outdoor game. But Dolgon couldn't get a favorable ruling by the Onondaga County Legislature on proper funding.
So Dolgon approached SU athletic director Dr. Daryl Gross, who saw this as a golden opportunity to showcase the nascent women's hockey program (which also plays at the Crunch's home, the Onandaga County War Memorial). The two continue to negotiate a way to bring pucks to the Dome.
Unfortunately, after 15 years, the Crunch's stay in the Salt City has become extremely tenuous. The team, which plays in an aging building that makes Hersheypark Arena look like the AHL's Taj Mahal, needs a new building and some major infusion of cash. The team has been affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets and has never reached the Calder Cup finals.
Being an SU grad and living in the area for a while, none of this surprises me. It's unfortunate that such a great sports market seems to find ways to turn potential positives into negatives. Yes, the Dome hosting an AHL game would be great. But the Crunch leaving Syracuse would not. The Chiefs have called Syracuse home for 75 years and there are other successful minor-league franchises in Central New York.
But, time after time, whether it's soccer or something else, only SU seems to go strong -- while professional teams (other than the Chiefs) squander.
(s/t Puck Daddy)
So Dolgon approached SU athletic director Dr. Daryl Gross, who saw this as a golden opportunity to showcase the nascent women's hockey program (which also plays at the Crunch's home, the Onandaga County War Memorial). The two continue to negotiate a way to bring pucks to the Dome.
Unfortunately, after 15 years, the Crunch's stay in the Salt City has become extremely tenuous. The team, which plays in an aging building that makes Hersheypark Arena look like the AHL's Taj Mahal, needs a new building and some major infusion of cash. The team has been affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks and Columbus Blue Jackets and has never reached the Calder Cup finals.
Being an SU grad and living in the area for a while, none of this surprises me. It's unfortunate that such a great sports market seems to find ways to turn potential positives into negatives. Yes, the Dome hosting an AHL game would be great. But the Crunch leaving Syracuse would not. The Chiefs have called Syracuse home for 75 years and there are other successful minor-league franchises in Central New York.
But, time after time, whether it's soccer or something else, only SU seems to go strong -- while professional teams (other than the Chiefs) squander.
(s/t Puck Daddy)
Kozlov Officially Signs in Russia
HC Salavat Yulaev has issued a press release stating that Viktor Kozlov has signed a three-year contract, thus ending his stint with the Caps. Although this has been rumored for a while, it's nice that it is now official.
Meanwhile, two prominent universities (Michigan and Ohio State) are joining the growing number of NHL squads to go with an all-digital media guide. Props to the Big Ten rivals!
Meanwhile, two prominent universities (Michigan and Ohio State) are joining the growing number of NHL squads to go with an all-digital media guide. Props to the Big Ten rivals!
Keystone Tuesday
Many Caps' fans are most likely hoping for a championship doubleheader tonight. The Detroit Red Wings have a chance to skate the Stanley Cup at the Igloo in Pittsburgh for the second straight year, leaving the arch-rival Pens empty-handed once again.
And, closer to home but still in the Keystone State, the Hershey Bears have a chance to capture the Calder Cup for the second time in four years with a win tonight at Giant Center.
For the Caps, a Hershey win means further validation of their organizational depth -- especially since the team's ECHL affiliate, South Carolina Stingrays, won the Kelly Cup Friday night. And a Wings' victory means that their chief rival, the Pens, won't be the NHL champs.
The Stanley Cup finals air at 8 p.m. on NBC, while the Calder Cup finals only are available online at 7 p.m.
And, closer to home but still in the Keystone State, the Hershey Bears have a chance to capture the Calder Cup for the second time in four years with a win tonight at Giant Center.
For the Caps, a Hershey win means further validation of their organizational depth -- especially since the team's ECHL affiliate, South Carolina Stingrays, won the Kelly Cup Friday night. And a Wings' victory means that their chief rival, the Pens, won't be the NHL champs.
The Stanley Cup finals air at 8 p.m. on NBC, while the Calder Cup finals only are available online at 7 p.m.
June 8, 2009
Nylander to KHL?
Thanks to the always excellent J.P. and Dmitry Chesnokov, it seems the KHL is ready to help take Michael Nylander off the Caps' hands. Chesnokov, the uber-liasion the Caps' (shrinking) Russian contingent, is reporting on his new blog that the KHL's Avangard Omsk is courting Nylander to play with another Caps' castaway, Jaromir Jagr.
Needless to say, dumping Nylander's $5.5 million salary would be the biggest gift the Caps could get. Stay tuned.
Needless to say, dumping Nylander's $5.5 million salary would be the biggest gift the Caps could get. Stay tuned.
Centers of Attention
In his deftly-written profile of the Hershey Bears, the Washington Post's Tarik El-Bashir focused on a few players who might don the red, white, and blue next season: Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Michal Neuvirth, Alexandre Giroux, Chris Bourque, Keith Aucoin and Oskar Osala.
It's pretty much the same group that's been talked about for a while -- and all but Carlson saw some action with the Caps this past season. But the most important members of this group are Bourque and Aucoin -- not because they are the most hyped or talented, but because of the position they play: center.
Other than Nicklas Backstrom, the Caps don't posses an all-star center on their roster. Last season, the second-line center position was rotated among many -- including the departed Sergei Fedorov, the soon-to-depart Michael Nylander and Aucoin.
Brooks Laich is a strong candidate to occupy that spot next season, but with his versalitity, he isn't necessarily the best option. He's also one of the Caps' best at crashing the net -- and that's not an ideal spot for a center.
David Steckel is another gifted center on the roster, especially given his faceoff prowess. But Stecks is probably more suited for the third line.
"I think Stecks is just coming into the prime of his hockey career. Hopefully, the playoffs [gave] him a confidence that he can score," Coach Bruce Boudreau said during the Caps' breakdown day. "It's the same kind of trend that happened in Hershey. He never scored, and then his third year he got 30 goals. I don't anticipate 30 from him next year but I think he's every bit capable of getting 15."
Aucoin, who notched six points in 12 energy-filled games with the Caps this past season, has a one-way contract for 2009-10 and most likely will be on the roster full-time. Bourque, in his limited time with the Caps, hasn't played center yet -- but has thrived at that position in Hershey, notching 52 assists this past season in 69 games.
It can be argued that Bourque's best shot at making the NHL full-time will be as a center. His stats in Hershey clearly indicate that assists come more easily than goals, and his vision of the ice supports that theory.
But for the Caps to take that next step to the Eastern Conference finals or even the Stanley Cup finals, they probably need to sign a second-line center. The rival Pittsburgh Penguins boast one of the best crops at that position (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal) and clearly are going to be obstacles for the Caps for many years.
However, given the salary cap crunch, don't put it past GM George McPhee to try to fit Bourque, Aucoin, Steckel and Laich there and spend the team's money elsewhere.
It's pretty much the same group that's been talked about for a while -- and all but Carlson saw some action with the Caps this past season. But the most important members of this group are Bourque and Aucoin -- not because they are the most hyped or talented, but because of the position they play: center.
Other than Nicklas Backstrom, the Caps don't posses an all-star center on their roster. Last season, the second-line center position was rotated among many -- including the departed Sergei Fedorov, the soon-to-depart Michael Nylander and Aucoin.
Brooks Laich is a strong candidate to occupy that spot next season, but with his versalitity, he isn't necessarily the best option. He's also one of the Caps' best at crashing the net -- and that's not an ideal spot for a center.
David Steckel is another gifted center on the roster, especially given his faceoff prowess. But Stecks is probably more suited for the third line.
"I think Stecks is just coming into the prime of his hockey career. Hopefully, the playoffs [gave] him a confidence that he can score," Coach Bruce Boudreau said during the Caps' breakdown day. "It's the same kind of trend that happened in Hershey. He never scored, and then his third year he got 30 goals. I don't anticipate 30 from him next year but I think he's every bit capable of getting 15."
Aucoin, who notched six points in 12 energy-filled games with the Caps this past season, has a one-way contract for 2009-10 and most likely will be on the roster full-time. Bourque, in his limited time with the Caps, hasn't played center yet -- but has thrived at that position in Hershey, notching 52 assists this past season in 69 games.
It can be argued that Bourque's best shot at making the NHL full-time will be as a center. His stats in Hershey clearly indicate that assists come more easily than goals, and his vision of the ice supports that theory.
But for the Caps to take that next step to the Eastern Conference finals or even the Stanley Cup finals, they probably need to sign a second-line center. The rival Pittsburgh Penguins boast one of the best crops at that position (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal) and clearly are going to be obstacles for the Caps for many years.
However, given the salary cap crunch, don't put it past GM George McPhee to try to fit Bourque, Aucoin, Steckel and Laich there and spend the team's money elsewhere.
June 7, 2009
Hershey One Win Away, Too
With a 2-1 victory tonight, the Hershey Bears are up 3-1 in the Calder Cup finals and can clinch Tuesday night at Giant Center. Kyle Wilson and Keith Aucoin (who impressed with the Caps during his time with the club this season) scored for the home squad, with Michal Neuvirth making 30 saves in the victory.
News and Notes
The Caps have started what apparently will be a busy off-season with a bang. They've now released two coaches, with the news that video coach Jonas Plumb will not return (more prominent assistant Jay Leach is the other).
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun is reporting that Sergei Fedorov won't be back (as we pretty much knew), something echoed by Alex Ovechkin. But Ovie added that Jose Theodore also won't return, something STC advocated for during the season.
If that holds true, then the Caps will have to find a trading partner for Theo -- and might even bring Brent Johnson back as some veteran (cheap) insurance. Stay tuned.
Finally, congrats to the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, who captured the Kelly Cup late Friday night with a 4-2 win over the Alaska Aces in Achorage.
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun is reporting that Sergei Fedorov won't be back (as we pretty much knew), something echoed by Alex Ovechkin. But Ovie added that Jose Theodore also won't return, something STC advocated for during the season.
If that holds true, then the Caps will have to find a trading partner for Theo -- and might even bring Brent Johnson back as some veteran (cheap) insurance. Stay tuned.
Finally, congrats to the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays, who captured the Kelly Cup late Friday night with a 4-2 win over the Alaska Aces in Achorage.
Wings One Win Away
The Detroit Red Wings dominated the Pittsburgh Penguins in game five of the Stanley Cup finals last night, 5-0, to bring up the first elimination game of the series. The Wings led, 2-0, after the first period and held the final margin after 40 minutes. In practicality, it was over after Detroit led by three, and the Wings exposed one weakness (the Pens' PK) that had been hidden most of the series.
That's not to say that Pittsburgh won't rebound for Tuesday's game six, but Detroit looks like they're back to themselves.
That's not to say that Pittsburgh won't rebound for Tuesday's game six, but Detroit looks like they're back to themselves.
June 5, 2009
It's All Tied Up
The Pittsburgh Penguins defy resiliency. From their comeback from a 3-0 deficit in game six against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round to winning four of the final five games against the Caps, the Pens don't seem to go away. Their latest feat was a 4-2 win last night over the Detroit Red Wings that tied the Stanley Cup finals at two. The Pens essentially won the game with three goals in a five-minute, second-period stretch that turned a 2-1 deficit to a 4-2 lead.
Game five is Saturday night in Detroit before the players get an extra day of rest before game six (Tuesday in Pittsburgh) and a potential game seven (Friday back in Detroit). Some may argue that the Wings are tired but they've been here before over the last two playoff seasons.
If the Pens win game five on the road (just as they did against the Caps), then new paths may be chartered. Until then, though, the Wings have a relatively-short amount of time to figure out how to get back to their winning formula.
Note: Speaking of comebacks, the Alaska Aces have tied the Kelly Cup finals after a 3-2 win last night. The South Carolina Stingrays previously held a 3-1 series lead. Game seven is tonight in Anchorage.
Game five is Saturday night in Detroit before the players get an extra day of rest before game six (Tuesday in Pittsburgh) and a potential game seven (Friday back in Detroit). Some may argue that the Wings are tired but they've been here before over the last two playoff seasons.
If the Pens win game five on the road (just as they did against the Caps), then new paths may be chartered. Until then, though, the Wings have a relatively-short amount of time to figure out how to get back to their winning formula.
Note: Speaking of comebacks, the Alaska Aces have tied the Kelly Cup finals after a 3-2 win last night. The South Carolina Stingrays previously held a 3-1 series lead. Game seven is tonight in Anchorage.
June 4, 2009
Game Four Tonight
The Detroit Red Wings enter game four of the Stanley Cup finals tonight up 2-1 after losing, 4-2, Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. Tonight's game four marks an important point in the series: if the Wings win, they would take a practically-insurmountable 3-1 series lead heading back to Hockeytown for Saturday's game five and an opportunity to skate the Cup. If the Pens win, the series becomes a best two-out-of-three.
Although conventional wisdom would think that the Wings would lose all momentum with a defeat tonight, that's not the case. In fact, over the last two playoff seasons, they've won the first two games at home all but once (this year's conference semifinals against the Anaheim Ducks being the lone exception). But then their path to victory has diverged.
Twice, they've swept (Colorado Avalanche in the conference semifinals last year and Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2009 first round). Against the Dallas Stars in last year's conference finals, they won the first three games and dropped the next two before winning in six.
Against the Chicago Blackhawks in this year's Western Conference final, the Wings lost game three before capturing the final two games of the series. Against Nashville last year, they lost both games in Nashville after winning two at home. But then they captured game five and six to advance.
And against the Pens last year in the finals, the Wings won game four, lost game five and then skated the Cup in game six.
The point is that the Wings find new methods to put teams away. It doesn't matter how they get the four wins, but they always achieve that goal. The one constant over the last two playoff seasons is that the Wings have never trailed a series, 3-2. And they've only faced elimination once: against the Ducks this year.
As long as they win one of the next two games against the Pens, the Wings should be on track to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
Although conventional wisdom would think that the Wings would lose all momentum with a defeat tonight, that's not the case. In fact, over the last two playoff seasons, they've won the first two games at home all but once (this year's conference semifinals against the Anaheim Ducks being the lone exception). But then their path to victory has diverged.
Twice, they've swept (Colorado Avalanche in the conference semifinals last year and Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2009 first round). Against the Dallas Stars in last year's conference finals, they won the first three games and dropped the next two before winning in six.
Against the Chicago Blackhawks in this year's Western Conference final, the Wings lost game three before capturing the final two games of the series. Against Nashville last year, they lost both games in Nashville after winning two at home. But then they captured game five and six to advance.
And against the Pens last year in the finals, the Wings won game four, lost game five and then skated the Cup in game six.
The point is that the Wings find new methods to put teams away. It doesn't matter how they get the four wins, but they always achieve that goal. The one constant over the last two playoff seasons is that the Wings have never trailed a series, 3-2. And they've only faced elimination once: against the Ducks this year.
As long as they win one of the next two games against the Pens, the Wings should be on track to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
June 3, 2009
Ted, GMGM Speak
Ted Leonsis had a nice online chat with the fans today and, although nothing extremely-newsworthy came out of it, there were a few good nuggets.
Free Agency Spending:
The salary cap today and tomorrow and in out years figures centrally in all of our discussions; the cap is a mostly hard cap and it means we have to plan very carefully-- as we have many young players who will be coming into their prime and will need to be resigned. Based on that-- do not expect us to sign any big name free agents to long-term deals. We need flexibility to move quickly if the cap goes down--which I believe it will in the out years.
Front Office Structure:
I set strategy-- budget and a very few rules-- George and Dick and Bruce execute tactics-- If George wanted to trade Alex Ovechkin--he would come talk to me; but who he trades for-- drafts-- who plays-- that is up to the professionals; I manage to outcomes--not to process; I have no delusions that I know more about hockey than our staff-- I am being exposed to a lot--and I think I have learned more and more-- but at end of the day--if I make decisions on players or systems -- then I cant hold any one responsible; so I think it is working out pretty good right now
Game Seven vs. Penguins:
In hindsight -- it wasn't as big a disappointment to me --we met many of our goals-- disappointing is finishing with with 59 points in 2003-04-- I mourned for a few days-- then we all got back to work-- we have to lean in to solutions and find ways to improve-- we are a very good team with a great young core-- and a great fan base and committed owners-- so I believe the future is bright-- I am an optimist by nature anyway--don't get down for very long!
As for McPhee, he's still in mostly off-again discussions with Sergei Fedorov about returning. It also was announced that Eric Fehr had shoulder surgery and might not be ready for next season.
Free Agency Spending:
The salary cap today and tomorrow and in out years figures centrally in all of our discussions; the cap is a mostly hard cap and it means we have to plan very carefully-- as we have many young players who will be coming into their prime and will need to be resigned. Based on that-- do not expect us to sign any big name free agents to long-term deals. We need flexibility to move quickly if the cap goes down--which I believe it will in the out years.
Front Office Structure:
I set strategy-- budget and a very few rules-- George and Dick and Bruce execute tactics-- If George wanted to trade Alex Ovechkin--he would come talk to me; but who he trades for-- drafts-- who plays-- that is up to the professionals; I manage to outcomes--not to process; I have no delusions that I know more about hockey than our staff-- I am being exposed to a lot--and I think I have learned more and more-- but at end of the day--if I make decisions on players or systems -- then I cant hold any one responsible; so I think it is working out pretty good right now
Game Seven vs. Penguins:
In hindsight -- it wasn't as big a disappointment to me --we met many of our goals-- disappointing is finishing with with 59 points in 2003-04-- I mourned for a few days-- then we all got back to work-- we have to lean in to solutions and find ways to improve-- we are a very good team with a great young core-- and a great fan base and committed owners-- so I believe the future is bright-- I am an optimist by nature anyway--don't get down for very long!
As for McPhee, he's still in mostly off-again discussions with Sergei Fedorov about returning. It also was announced that Eric Fehr had shoulder surgery and might not be ready for next season.
June 2, 2009
What to Do With Nylander?
As the Caps gear up for a busy off-season, Public Enemy No. 1 on the list is Michael Nylander. As a review, Nylander was signed on July 3, 2007 after a flirtation with the Edmonton Oilers. And he's been a bust ever since. The Caps, according to several accounts, have tried to get rid of his contract (which has two years and $8.5 million remaining) to no avail.
So what should they do? GM George McPhee already has stated that he's not going to buy him out, so that's a non-option (unless it's a classic GMGM swerve). But buying him out has serious salary cap implications.
The best option is to trade the beleaguered center (even for a draft pick) just to get his bloated salary off a very crowded ledger. With Sergei Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov seemingly on the way to Russia (and maybe Donald Brashear going with them), getting rid of Nylander frees $11 million (not counting Brash's $1.2 million) for the Caps. Even Nylander going overseas would accomplish the same goal.
The worst case scenario would be Nylander remaining on the team. That would not only tie up a lot of money in somebody who'd be lucky to be the Caps' third-line winger next season, but Nylander isn't the kind of player that the team needs right now. He's slow, hard-headed and really isn't committed to playing Coach Bruce Boudreau's system. In fact, he'd be better off sitting out the entire year or playing in Hershey (wouldn't that be something?) than being a nightly liability on the Caps' roster.
GMGM is going to have to sell a hill of beans to a team (and maybe throw in a player as a sweetener) to get rid of Nylander, but it might be worth it to finally end this saga once and for all.
So what should they do? GM George McPhee already has stated that he's not going to buy him out, so that's a non-option (unless it's a classic GMGM swerve). But buying him out has serious salary cap implications.
The best option is to trade the beleaguered center (even for a draft pick) just to get his bloated salary off a very crowded ledger. With Sergei Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov seemingly on the way to Russia (and maybe Donald Brashear going with them), getting rid of Nylander frees $11 million (not counting Brash's $1.2 million) for the Caps. Even Nylander going overseas would accomplish the same goal.
The worst case scenario would be Nylander remaining on the team. That would not only tie up a lot of money in somebody who'd be lucky to be the Caps' third-line winger next season, but Nylander isn't the kind of player that the team needs right now. He's slow, hard-headed and really isn't committed to playing Coach Bruce Boudreau's system. In fact, he'd be better off sitting out the entire year or playing in Hershey (wouldn't that be something?) than being a nightly liability on the Caps' roster.
GMGM is going to have to sell a hill of beans to a team (and maybe throw in a player as a sweetener) to get rid of Nylander, but it might be worth it to finally end this saga once and for all.
June 1, 2009
Memo to Caps: Watch the Finals
The Caps should be watching the Stanley Cup finals. I'm not talking about Coach Bruce Boudreau and GM George McPhee, who naturally are glued to the broadcasts (or are even in attendance). I'm talking about the players: Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Green, etc., but especially the ones of whom Boudreau said "don't want to change."
I'll put this as simply as possible: if you don't change, you won't win the Stanley Cup. Yesterday's 3-1 win by the Detroit Red Wings was further evidence that they are the best team in the league and boast an entire roster of players who check their ego at the door and buy into the team concept. Even Marian Hossa, who only is in his first year with the Wings, has clearly bought what Coach Mike Babcock is selling.
The best example has been the double- and triple-teaming of Sidney Crosby that quelled a very potent Pittsburgh Penguins' offense. So far against the Wings in the finals (six games last year and two so far this time around), Crosby has scored two goals and registered four assists. In those games, the Pens are 2-6. In fact, both of his goals were registered in a 3-2 game three win in last year's finals. Otherwise, he's pretty much got nothing. Ditto Evgeni Malkin.
Clearly, the Pens haven't been able to find a way to counteract this strategy and it's one the Caps need to employ. The problem is that the Caps don't have the personnel to do this (at least not to the extend the Wings do) and have some malcontents on the roster who don't put forth the proper effort.
So the Caps need to watch what the Wings are doing to the Penguins and learn from it. The Pens are going to be good for a while, and most likely will face the Caps several more times in the postseason. If the Caps want truly want to dominate Pittsburgh, which they didn't even come close to doing this year, then they should be watching Detroit.
And then practicing and practicing. Like the Energizer Bunny, they need to learn how to keep going and going and going.
I'll put this as simply as possible: if you don't change, you won't win the Stanley Cup. Yesterday's 3-1 win by the Detroit Red Wings was further evidence that they are the best team in the league and boast an entire roster of players who check their ego at the door and buy into the team concept. Even Marian Hossa, who only is in his first year with the Wings, has clearly bought what Coach Mike Babcock is selling.
The best example has been the double- and triple-teaming of Sidney Crosby that quelled a very potent Pittsburgh Penguins' offense. So far against the Wings in the finals (six games last year and two so far this time around), Crosby has scored two goals and registered four assists. In those games, the Pens are 2-6. In fact, both of his goals were registered in a 3-2 game three win in last year's finals. Otherwise, he's pretty much got nothing. Ditto Evgeni Malkin.
Clearly, the Pens haven't been able to find a way to counteract this strategy and it's one the Caps need to employ. The problem is that the Caps don't have the personnel to do this (at least not to the extend the Wings do) and have some malcontents on the roster who don't put forth the proper effort.
So the Caps need to watch what the Wings are doing to the Penguins and learn from it. The Pens are going to be good for a while, and most likely will face the Caps several more times in the postseason. If the Caps want truly want to dominate Pittsburgh, which they didn't even come close to doing this year, then they should be watching Detroit.
And then practicing and practicing. Like the Energizer Bunny, they need to learn how to keep going and going and going.
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