July 18, 2011
Summer Has Arrived
The Washington Capitals (and most of the NHL) are on summer break, so STC will join the party. If there's breaking news, we'll be sure to report it. Otherwise, see you in September!
July 15, 2011
Alzner Signs
Defenseman Karl Alzner, the Washington Capitals' last remaining restricted free agent, signed a two-year deal today reportedly worth $2.57 million. That means the team is once again over the salary cap, meaning another transaction will be necessary.
It could mean a player like Eric Fehr, who was dealt to Winnipeg last week, will be traded or it could be the precursor to a long-awaited (at least by some) Alex Semin deal. That remains to be seen, but getting Alzner back is key.
It could mean a player like Eric Fehr, who was dealt to Winnipeg last week, will be traded or it could be the precursor to a long-awaited (at least by some) Alex Semin deal. That remains to be seen, but getting Alzner back is key.
July 8, 2011
Three Reasons to Trade Alex Semin
I've often said that you can find statistics to support any theory, and blogger Neil Greenberg follows that mantra with his recent post, "Statistical analysis: The importance of Alexander Semin." Well, my friend, here is a counter-argument:
Firstly, you don't address the playoffs. In 37 career playoff games, Semin has 12 goals -- and eight have come in two series against the New York Rangers. This past April, he had three goals and one assist against the Blueshirts and then one goal and one assist while being swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Against the Montreal Canadians last spring, he had two assists in the seven-game loss. In 2009, he had five goals and three assists against the Rangers, but no goals and six assists against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2008, he notched three goals and five assists against the Philadelphia Flyers.
So in his last two postseasons against the Lightning and Canadiens, he's got one goal and three assists. Take away the Rangers, and he's rather pedestrian in the postseason.
Secondly, Semin is incredibly inconsistent. Last season, Semin scored 28 goals, but they came in 20 games -- and he had a 17-game stretch where he didn't notch a goal. During the 2009-10 season, his 40 goals were scored in just 28 games, including just seven goals in November and December combined.
In 2008-09, his 34 goals were scored in -- you guessed it -- 28 games, including five goals in December and January. In 2007-08, his 26 goals were scored in 25 games, and he didn't score his 10th until mid-January.
Finally, Semin's playing style is the antithesis of the teams' approach. All of the players brought to the team, and for that matter many of the holdovers, have some grit with their skill and are mostly responsible in both ends of the ice. And while Semin is a decent penalty killer, he's hardly defensively responsible and has been known to disappear during the course of the game -- even in the offensive zone.
So while Semin's stats may support keeping him on the team, everything else says to trade him. For the upcoming season, trading the enigmatic winger would complete the transformation.
Firstly, you don't address the playoffs. In 37 career playoff games, Semin has 12 goals -- and eight have come in two series against the New York Rangers. This past April, he had three goals and one assist against the Blueshirts and then one goal and one assist while being swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Against the Montreal Canadians last spring, he had two assists in the seven-game loss. In 2009, he had five goals and three assists against the Rangers, but no goals and six assists against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2008, he notched three goals and five assists against the Philadelphia Flyers.
So in his last two postseasons against the Lightning and Canadiens, he's got one goal and three assists. Take away the Rangers, and he's rather pedestrian in the postseason.
Secondly, Semin is incredibly inconsistent. Last season, Semin scored 28 goals, but they came in 20 games -- and he had a 17-game stretch where he didn't notch a goal. During the 2009-10 season, his 40 goals were scored in just 28 games, including just seven goals in November and December combined.
In 2008-09, his 34 goals were scored in -- you guessed it -- 28 games, including five goals in December and January. In 2007-08, his 26 goals were scored in 25 games, and he didn't score his 10th until mid-January.
Finally, Semin's playing style is the antithesis of the teams' approach. All of the players brought to the team, and for that matter many of the holdovers, have some grit with their skill and are mostly responsible in both ends of the ice. And while Semin is a decent penalty killer, he's hardly defensively responsible and has been known to disappear during the course of the game -- even in the offensive zone.
So while Semin's stats may support keeping him on the team, everything else says to trade him. For the upcoming season, trading the enigmatic winger would complete the transformation.
July 4, 2011
Caps Start Free Agency with a Bang
The Washington Capitals have continued their transformation to a hard-working, gritty, talented bunch through the signings of Joel Ward and Jeff Halpern. They also added veteran blueliner Roman Hamrlik and brought back Chris Bourque for some depth. Finally, they made a goaltending statement by sending Semyon Varlamov to Colorado and signing Tomas Vokoun. Other than Ward, nobody got more than a two-year deal (Hamrlik).
More and more, GM George McPhee is making it emphatically clear that the status quo is not acceptable and the players will need to be more accountable and adherent to Bruce Boudreau's system.
But there are still a few more questions. For example, who is going to be the second-line center? Will Alex Semin manage to stay with the club, despite the fact he looks more like an outsider every day? And, finally, how will the additions fit into the team's chemistry?
While many of these questions probably won't be answered until the fall, Semin's situation could be addressed sooner rather than later. With Karl Alzner and Troy Brouwer still needing contracts, and the team dangerously close to the salary cap, it seems that McPhee still has something up his sleeve.
My bet is that Semin is shown the door, clearing up $6.7 million in cap space that can be used for Alzner, Brouwer, and any trade-deadline additions. More than ever, the upcoming season is the team's best chance to make a deep playoff run.
The last two Stanley Cup champs, the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins, make it evident that grit is sometimes paramount to skill and teams that don't have accountability to each other won't succeed. The Caps are making great strides towards laying the groundwork for that this off-season, but the journey won't be an easy one.
More and more, GM George McPhee is making it emphatically clear that the status quo is not acceptable and the players will need to be more accountable and adherent to Bruce Boudreau's system.
But there are still a few more questions. For example, who is going to be the second-line center? Will Alex Semin manage to stay with the club, despite the fact he looks more like an outsider every day? And, finally, how will the additions fit into the team's chemistry?
While many of these questions probably won't be answered until the fall, Semin's situation could be addressed sooner rather than later. With Karl Alzner and Troy Brouwer still needing contracts, and the team dangerously close to the salary cap, it seems that McPhee still has something up his sleeve.
My bet is that Semin is shown the door, clearing up $6.7 million in cap space that can be used for Alzner, Brouwer, and any trade-deadline additions. More than ever, the upcoming season is the team's best chance to make a deep playoff run.
The last two Stanley Cup champs, the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins, make it evident that grit is sometimes paramount to skill and teams that don't have accountability to each other won't succeed. The Caps are making great strides towards laying the groundwork for that this off-season, but the journey won't be an easy one.
July 1, 2011
Caps Sign Ward, Hamrlik
The Washington Capitals have added to their haul by inking defenseman Roman Hamrlik to a two-year deal and forward Joel Ward on a four-year pact.
Look for more later in the weekend.
Varlamov Traded to Colorado for Draft Picks
The Washington Capitals have announced that they have acquired a first-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and a second-round pick in the 2012 or 2013 NHL Entry Draft from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for goaltender Semyon Varlamov.
This is an interesting move on a number of fronts: One, it officially signifies that Michal Neuvirth is the organization's top goalie. However, it also could mean that Braden Holtby will go back to Hershey for another season if they can bring in a back-up goalie.
Finally, it could mean that the culture change has arrived and many more moves are on the way. Stay tuned.
This is an interesting move on a number of fronts: One, it officially signifies that Michal Neuvirth is the organization's top goalie. However, it also could mean that Braden Holtby will go back to Hershey for another season if they can bring in a back-up goalie.
Finally, it could mean that the culture change has arrived and many more moves are on the way. Stay tuned.
Jeff Halpern Returns to Washington
Former Washington Capitals captain Jeff Halpern has been signed to a one-year deal, reportedly worth $825,000. The center, a native of Potomac, Md., originally signed with the team as an undrafted free agent on March 29, 1999.
Overall, Halpern played 438 games for the Caps and captained the team during the 2005-06 season. The 5'11", 198-pound center recorded 214 points (87 goals, 127 assists) in his career with Washington, including a career-high 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) during the 2003-04 season. In 17 playoff games with the Caps, Halpern tallied four goals and five assists.
Halpern probably will play on the third or fourth line, especially with Boyd Gordon signing with Phoenix today. Halpern also is a tough, gritty player that will help the Caps' playing style. This is a smart, low-risk signing that also brings along some sentimental value. The only thing that will change about Halpern is his sweater number, as No. 11 is now retired in honor of Mike Gartner.
Overall, Halpern played 438 games for the Caps and captained the team during the 2005-06 season. The 5'11", 198-pound center recorded 214 points (87 goals, 127 assists) in his career with Washington, including a career-high 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) during the 2003-04 season. In 17 playoff games with the Caps, Halpern tallied four goals and five assists.
Halpern probably will play on the third or fourth line, especially with Boyd Gordon signing with Phoenix today. Halpern also is a tough, gritty player that will help the Caps' playing style. This is a smart, low-risk signing that also brings along some sentimental value. The only thing that will change about Halpern is his sweater number, as No. 11 is now retired in honor of Mike Gartner.
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