09/10 Stats:
Regular season: 54-15-13 (121 points)
Eastern Conference: 1st; Overall: 1st
Playoffs: 3-4-1 (eliminated by Montreal – 1st round)
The Caps made some impressive moves at the trade deadline last year, that many thought could well see them to the Finals with the general favorite Chicago Blackhawks. Three of the four players are not going to be on the roster next year. Joe Corvo, Scott Walker, and Milan Jurcina were walked away from. Corvo probably being the biggest head scratcher, the picture is pretty clear where the Caps must improve. The biggest hole in the roster is in defensive play. Acquired at least year’s deadline, Eric Belanger has just re-upped with the Caps for one year at $1.85 million.
Somewhat shaky goaltending is a big deal in the Nation’s Capital with Jose Theodore also making an exit. In 104 games with the Capitals Theodore went 62-24-7 with a 2.67 goals against average. The 13 year veteran is still seeking a team to play for, but the $4.5 million cap relief is huge for the Capitals. Semyon Varlamov is talented, and still holds rays of hope from the organization but might not be enough for the team’s lack of defense (and perhaps a slight lack of confidence in himself). The 22 year old Russian will get his chance to prove himself as number one goaltender in a contract year, which he becomes a restricted free agent. Michal Neurvirth looks to be a very strong and upcoming goalie. He, too, is in a contract year. At 6’1 200 lbs the 22 year old Czech plays a technically sound game, and is extremely composed. He recorded a 9-4-0 record in 17 appearances with a 2.75 GAA and .914 SP in his rookie year. The Caps seem to have two youngsters on the rise but there is no doubt, in the here and now, the net presence for next year will be key for success. Capitals’ General Manager George McPhee intends on going with this young tandem.
"We're going with our young goaltenders," McPhee said. "We actually think this is going to be good for both of them because there isn't going to be the pressure on either one of them to play 65 games. It's an opportunity for both of them to play more games at the NHL level without the pressure of trying to carry the team.”Mike Green, Jeff Schultz, Tom Poti, and John Erskine are the top-four defensemen, with a third pairing of highly touted youngsters John Carlson and Karl Alzner at the five and six slots, and Tyler Sloan in the seven spot. The defense hasn’t gotten it done, and if not Shaone Morrisonn or Joe Corvo, someone needs to be found to bolster the blue line. With just enough cap space to do it, Mike Mottau and veteran Kim Johnsson are worth a good look. George McPhee also doesn’t plan to change much on the back end. Once again focusing on home bred prospects expected to come in strong. Mike Green had a career year leading defensemen in points (76) and being nominated for the James Norris Trophy. He tallied 19 goals and 57 assists with a plus/minus +39 (2nd best in the league) and 35 powerplay points. He and Jeff Schultz (with a whopping +50, top in the NHL) benefitted largely from being on the ice with the Ovechkin line. Veteran Tom Poti, 33, and John Erskine, 30, are the only two defensemen becoming unrestricted free agents at the end of the year. Each of them had pretty good years but with the likes of John Carlson and Karl Alzner coming into the mix one of them is likely out due to space on the roster and more importantly on the cap. John Carlson,20, played 22 games in his NHL debut last year including 7 in the playoffs. The 2008 first round draft pick is noted for his size, strength and skating ability and he is a great playmaking defenseman with a strong offensive upside. In season and in the first round of the playoffs he showed he’s very responsible in his own end, and his playmaking ability at a young age is electric. In the post season he recorded one goal and three assists with a plus/minus +6 in seven games. I’m sure we’ll see plenty of Karl Alzner as well this year. The 21 year old enters the third and final year of his entry level contract and will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year. The fifth overall first round draft pick of 2007 has great mobility and overall defensive awareness. He can make for a great one-two punch on defense if these two kids can develop quickly this year. Tyler Sloan will desperately be working to make this roster. The 29 year old has put in his time in the AHL with 300 games played. After appearing in 40 last season, Sloan looks to be a step closer to becoming an NHL defenseman and he deserves that chance at least somewhere. are the most attractive free agents for the Caps to consider although
The biggest story financially and personnel wise for this off season/next season will be Washington’s second favorite Alex, Alexander Semin. He has scored 163 points in his last 135 games and 40 goals of last year’s team’s 313. His biggest mention comes in the form of, however, the most likely player to be on his way out. With an expiring contract at the end of the 10/11 season which sits currently at a 6.0 million dollar expense, it’s an expense that Washington probably won’t have an easy time swallowing long term. The top two, Ovechkin and Backstrom are staying put on large long term deals. Mike Green, their third most important and fourth most expensive player has only two years left on his deal. Semin is a point producing machine, and could be the tradable asset that Washington can fill their defensive handicap with. The return is almost too wide spread to call, but high caliber players from teams such as Boston and Calgary stand out strong in trades if both teams can fill voids in the process. The potential for dealings with Boston open up doors for a package deal of players like Michael Ryder, Marc Savard, Tim Thomas, and Blake Wheeler. Boston is looking to shed cap dollars and score more goals. Washington will naturally have to take money back in a deal with Semin, but if the terms line up correctly for the Nation’s Capital a deal is feasible. There have been speculations regarding Cory Sarich or Robyn Regehr’s departure from Calgary, and with large question put into their scoring depth this could be a blockbuster move for both teams. On a real long shot with no other reason than to just say it; a Kaberle/Grabovski for Semin swap would be fantastic to see. Both with expiring contracts and inspiring play. A trade that for at least next season both teams could benefit from. The option remains for Washington to go elsewhere in deals, but the inability to sign him after a potential short coming next season would be a scar left on George McPhee.If kept, Semin must be accompanied by a second line center that can more-than replace Brendan Morrsion’s departure and accompany a stud like Brooks Laich. McPhee’s stance remained the same through the offensive players as well as he thinks it possible 22 year old sophomore Mathieu Perreault could fill that void. Perreault appeared in 21 games last year recording 4 goals and 5 assists with a plus/minus +4. He is a crafty playmaking centerman that can pass and shoot with a quick release. Although he is a little under sized, he does have 2nd line potential.
"We think we have centers that are ready to go," McPhee said. "So we want to be really careful not get drawn into any long-term deals at that position. The issue is: Are they ready this year or next? We've done a good job of drafting and developing, and it's time to give these players their opportunity."Should he be wrong the saved cap space, roughly $ 5.0 million, will have to be applied to a trade mid to late next season as the free agents list has dwindled significantly. Eric Belanger’s re-signing was a good one for McPhee, but he fits in best at third line center.
"We don't have to spend it,” McPhee said. "You don't ever want to go into the season right up against the cap. Ideally, you put a good team on the ice and you have room."
The top lines are pretty obvious for the Caps. Alexander Ovechkin plays the left wing to Niklas Backstrom and RW Mike Knuble. Ovechkin had another offensively mind boggling year with 109 points. In just 72 games ‘OV’ scored 50 goals and 59 assists with a plus/minus +45. He was just one goal shy of a three way tie for the Rocket Richard Trophy won by Steven Stamkos and Sydney Crosby. It was his third highest point total, and fourth highest goals scored in his five seasons. He continues to solidify himself as an offensive mega star as now in 396 games he has scored 529 points. If his body can withstand it, and he can mirror his first five years to his next, we’re looking at a 1,000 point scorer in the making. Niklas Backstrom had a career year with 101 points with 33 goals and 68 assists. In 7 playoff games this year he scored 5 goals and 4 assists Mike Knuble finished just 2 points shy of an all time high (53) and will play in a contract year where he hopes to win a second Cup.After locking up Fleischmann, Steckel, Fehr, Gordon, Bradley, and Belanger the third and fourth pairings don’t look too bad. D.J. King was also acquired via trade. Jason Chimera accompanies these seven, but only Fehr, Steckel, and Chimrea have contracts beyond next season. Fleishmann or Laich will currently center line two, with the other guy playing the left wing. These two next to Semin is a dynamic line, but we’ll look to see both of them really have a breakout season as they are both in their last contracted year. Fleishmann comes off of a career best in points (51) and goals (23) and came up big for the team in Ovechkin’s absence last year. Laich, too, posted his best numbers with 25 goals and 59 points. Both in their mid twenties; they really look to be on the up, and another full year with Semin should bring shorten their development. Both, however, could stand to improve on their faceoff ability. Though Belanger was re-signed for the 3rd line center role, David Steckel truly deserves the spot. Steckl was second in total faceoffs taken and second in faceoff win percentage for his club at 59.2%. He is great on the penalty kill and Eric Belanger full time presence will make him even stronger. Eric Fehr was one of the seven 20 goal scorers posting 21 goals and 39 points. After signing a two year contract extension, he will likely play the right wing on the third line. Fehr , the large framed 6’4 202lbs 24 year old, also had a career year with the Capitals. 26 year old Boyd Gordon likely fills the fourth line center role with checking power forwards Jason Chimera and Matt Bradley on the wing. Chimera point total was his second highest in his 9 year career split between Columbus and Washington at 34 points and took 98 penalty minutes between the two clubs. These pairings look to make a pretty solid third and fourth checking line. Recently acquired tough guy D.J. King will try to make this roster from time to time to give the Caps some more grit on the fourth line. Meanwhile, 22 year old aforementioned prospect Mathieu Perreault could be set to make this roster somewhere between the second and fourth lines. He scored 100 points over his last 133 AHL games and is in the last year of his entry level contract.
For long term security and current post season success, a good looking Capital’s roster may still be in for some changes. The possibilities in dealing Semin are seemingly endless and fairly high in return, but highly improbable. The glaring faults within this team are visible, and the verdict is out on weather George McPhee is making the right call or not by keeping things much the same. As their 21 man roster sits now, the Capitals have eight unrestricted free agents and three restricted free agents at the end of the year. McPhee will have his hands full of contractual decisions to make for this organization to remain competitive for years to come.
With these expectations set in place regardless of player movement, the Nation’s Capital can look forward to a highly contentious season once again. This year, for the first time, the Capitals will appear in the Winter Classic at Heinz Field for an outdoor battle with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The NHL’s dream matchup will be played out on a large outdoor scale, and if history repeats itself (which it often times does) this battle could well carry over into the post season where (historically speaking) one of the Winter Classic participants has made the finals for the last three years consecutively.
-Kendall Grubbs
*note: Eric Belanger is not signed with the Capitals, instead he has signed with Phoenix. This does change their third line presence significantly, and reduces their powerplay ability tremendously. for a full explanation of my mistake, please read my article on Eric Belanger: Belanger Signs with Coyotes, Angry with Caps.
Transactions to date:
In:
D.J. King
Brian Willsie
Dany Sabourin
Brian Fahey
Kyle Greentree
Patrick McNeill
Eric Belanger
Out:
Joe Corvo
Scott Walker
Milan Jurcina
Jose Theodore
Shaone Morrisonn
Brian Pothier
Chris Clark
Stefan Della-Rovere
Team Info:
2010/2011 Stats
2010/2011 Roster
2010/2011 Salary
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