Shake up? Will it happen? Time to play GM.
by ns on Nov 5, 2009 9:34 AM EST
77 comments
Simple question, not so simple answer.
With a slew of boneheaded mistakes and indifferent play, most recently vs. the supposedly dreadful @home Devils, there has been much late evening and early morning talk of trading a certain star or a "message-sending" trade of a bottom 6 player.
My question is do we really think GMGM will pull the trigger on any sort of shake up of the current roster? What would YOU do if you were in his shoes and wanted to contend for the cup not only this year, but for the foreseeable future.
Give Perreault more time and bench Semin for a few games?
Trade away an asset to create cap space to recall Alzner and/or Carlson?
Get rid of the maddeningly inconsistent Poti and give the bulk of his time to 4pointSchultz?
Trade Semin for a grittier winger with good offensive instincts and solid two way play?
P.S. Semin is one of my favorite players on this team, which also makes me want to smash my head on the nearest wall when I see efforts like last night vs. NJ. I would love to see him stay, just based on his unbelievable skills, but am starting to believe the Caps might need to leverage that talent to gain some key players to make this team, overall, a better one. Meh...
Have your say.
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's authors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
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I think something’s bound to happen is the team keeps going like this. McPhee’s a slow mover but he pulls the trigger when push comes to shove.
In my opinion the team needs to do three things:
- move two of the depth defensemen (Morrisonn, Jurcina, Erskine, Pothier, Sloan)
- recall Alzner
- trade Semin if you can get a decent return
The more and more I watch this team, the less convinced I am they can win the Cup without making some moves, and I think those are the best ones.
by David M. Getz on Nov 5, 2009 9:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Question(s) about your first option, how much do you think the addition of Bob Woods is the contributing factor here? Sample size gets bantered around here quite a bit, so (as the prospect evaluation story argued) could he have seen enough to make an informed contribution to the stay-or-go debate? Looking at the blueline contracts, if the only guys “in danger” of being moved the guys in their last year, are there really any takers at all? Any time I browse the league rosters, I just can’t seem to fit our spare parts on anyone elses team. But hey, Pheonix took a chance on Lepisto right?
by ThreePingPost on Nov 5, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d agree that we need to move one or two of those guys, but you just listed our least-desirable d-men. I’ve actually liked Sloan’s contributions as a forward, and his ability to fill in on D has me convinced – he could be one of those guys in the Eric Messier / Jon Klemm mold – jack of all trades.
So that leaves Mo, Juice, Erskine and Pothier. Mo’s overpaid and an upcoming UFA. Juice is paid just about right, and is also an upcoming UFA. However, Juice has been one of the Caps’ better defensemen (and I’ve been plenty vocal about my preference for him over ShaMo). Erskine has been somewhat injury-prone and has serious limits – he’s essentially a PK specialist who could theoretically fight (but shouldn’t, given the aforementioned injuries).
After Morrisonn, Pothier is the guy I would like to see moved. At the beginning of the year, I really liked his ability to jumpstart the breakout with his speed and ice vision – then it just disappeared. His defense has been pretty lackluster as well. Pothier is expensive, which means that unloading him would be better for us from a cap perspective, but fewer people could afford him.
The problem with either of these guys is that your’re just not going to find many takers given their cap hit, and the return will be quite low. It will literally be addition by subtraction (and replacement with Alzner). At that point, you’re almost better off waiving them.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 5, 2009 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Assuming there aren’t any takers out there for a trade, I would be fine with the Capitals waiving someone to get Alzner on the roster.
by David M. Getz on Nov 5, 2009 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
a little confused why this hasn’t happened yet. they’re not going to get a thing for Pothier, so why not pull the trigger on the demotion and bring up Alzner?
by ns on Nov 6, 2009 8:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You’re probably hurting a guy’s career if you send him to the minors in favor of a kid. Maybe that’s a consideration for GM? Doesn’t want to get a reputation around the league for sending career NHLers to the minors?
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Nov 6, 2009 8:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
maybe. i can see a little loyalty there, possibly, because of what Potsy went through to come back and play.
still…f’in A.
by ns on Nov 6, 2009 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
And Pothier I thought was great when he returned last season. Like with Semin, there’s that slim hope that he returns to top form.
by red army line on Nov 6, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why Alzner?
Alzner: 12gp, 0g, 1a, +12
Carlson: 12, 1g, 7a, +7
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 6, 2009 10:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Stats aren’t everything. Alex Giroux’s outscoring just about everyone in Hershey, but he’s sure not the first guy I’d call up.
Plus Alzner’s demonstrated he can play a full AHL season. Carlson’s looked good, but I’m not sold that he’s ready to graduate from the AHL just yet (note: this is mostly based on secondhand information).
by David M. Getz on Nov 6, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Having watched them both play
I thought Carlson was the better player of the two. Also, I think you’re overlooking Alzner’s crappy play during the second half of his tenure in DC.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 6, 2009 11:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He hit the rookie wall, which is to be expected. All of the Caps rookie-professionals hit that wall last year. We should at least be concerned that Carlson will do the same.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 6, 2009 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So now we’re throwing out 1/2 of sample sizes for shits and giggles and making random assertions about who’s ready based on nothing more than calendar age.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 1:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What am I throwing out 1/2 of? Why isn’t it fair to talk about Carlson’s age and experience? Green, Schultz, and Alzner all spent basically a full year in HER. I’m not sure why it would be different for Carlson (who is younger than the other three were in their first professional year). I’m not discounting the possibility that Carlson could actually be on a faster curve than them, but just because he has more points right now doesn’t prove that to me. I expect him to have more points because of his game, and it won’t be until about January or February when you see the toll of playing against men take effect (I think Jan. is about when Alzner and the rookie forwards hit that wall). I really didn’t think that was a provocative or controversial statement.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 1:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm returning the ball-busting a bit
Still, I don’t really see much evidence that Alzner is “more ready.” Every time I see them play in the same game, i think Carlson’s better. Still, that’s just one (frozen) guy’s opinion. It’s fucking freezing out tonight.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 1:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was referring to the "rookie wall"
I know that rookies tend to get ground down by the travel schedule, but you can’t just take the good stats from his first 20-odd games and forget about the bad ones that came later. They’re all part of his performance. He was objectively pretty mediocre and even bad at times last year, and he was the first to admit it. One thing I really do like about the kid is that he’s honest with himself and constantly looking to improve.
After the Eminger debacle, I understand folks’ fears about rushing defensemen to the show…
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 1:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh I got you. I’m not trying to ignore any of that. I was looking mostly at his +/- this year. Considering he and Carlson play together a lot of the time it’s surprising that Alzner’s +/- is so much better. It suggests to me that Carlson’s defensive numbers suffer significantly when he’s not paired with Alzner. I’m also giving Alzner the benefit of probably not hitting another rookie wall, while it’s likely that Carlson will. I do think that if there was one guy in our organization that could jump to the NHL level physically as a pro-rookie, it’s Carlson. Dude is big and solid. All in all I just don’t see enough from Carlson to make me think he should jump Alzner on the depth chart.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 1:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think Alzner’s play during that point is terribly relevant – the guy probably helps the Caps know, it’s even more likely that he helps the Caps come playoff time, and it doesn’t sound like he has much more to learn or achieve by playing at the AHL level. I don’t feel the same way about Carlson.
by David M. Getz on Nov 6, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
my thoughts exactly.
keeping Alzner at the AHL level might actually be detrimental to his development at this point, but Carlson can still progress in the A
by ns on Nov 6, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
...And you're basing this on???
Don’t get me wrong, I think Alzner will be a very good NHL defenseman, and I think he’ll do it soon. But after watching both guys play in two training camps, the AHL last year during the playoffs, this preseason, and Alzner’s stit in the NHL last year, I see no definitive evidence, either objective or subjective, that says Alzner is “more ready” than Carlson. Other than calendar age and draft position why do you think he’s “more ready?”
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 1:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
DMG can speak for himself, but I personally thought that while Carlson was more likely to make a flashy play in the pre-season, he was also more likely to get beat on a routine play or cough the puck up in the corner. I didn’t think he was as polished as Alzner is.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 1:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Alzner looks hesitant. Carlson makes some mistakes, but they’re the hubristic mistakes of youth. He takes more chances than Alzner, but like Green, he’s got the speed to cover for himself. He’s also got much better offensive instincts.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 1:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Much better offensive instincts, for sure. I don’t think that’s the primary concern with our D corps, though. I’m more concerned with a guy that really wants to and knows how to keep the puck out of our net. Alzner is already a better skater than at least half the D we have on the NHL roster right now. He may need to get a little more experience and confidence but he’s not going to get that by staying in the AHL anymore. He already knows he can lock it down in Hershey, he needs to start making his mistakes and translating his game in the NHL. Carlson can work on his judgment in the AHL and progress his game more than Alzner can at this point, IMO.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 1:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if either will get the call with Green and Schultz on the shelf. With AO going on IR, and Gordo already there, I wonder if we’ve got the cap space for either of them. Given that Carlson makes about 1/2 of what Alzner does, I’d say he’s more likely to get the call.
While I agree that we need defensemen who can help keep the puck out of the net, we really lack offense from the back end after Green. Pothier and Poti are supposed to provide this, but their contributions are far too sporadic and infrequent for my tastes.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Green is the only one that is dependable for any offensive contributions. And I agree that Carlson’s cheaper salary makes him more likely to get the call. I’d bet you ten times out of ten Alzner would take a moderately lower salary if he knew the higher one would keep him from seeing NHL action. Sucks for the kid that being so good is what is keeping him out of the NHL.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Will the wonders of draft slots never cease? :)
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 10, 2009 8:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Carlson was the better player of the two.
Didn’t you also think CBo was the best guy in Hershey? Just sayin’…
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 6, 2009 11:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Isn’t that why he “made” the Caps?
by red army line on Nov 6, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I guess you could say that. Then again, he’s no longer in the organization.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 6, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Which of the other forward prospects from Hershey made the team out of camp? Perrault is up now only due to injuries, and Sloan is a non-prospect providing swing depth. I said C-Bo was the best forward prospect (in terms of near-term contribution to the Caps) on the Bears, and I stand by that statement. If you made it to Hershey, would you propose someone else?
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 1:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nah I’m just busting balls, you know that. It was a Pyrrhic victory for CBo, no? Good enough to make the team, but not good enough to stay on it.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 1:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yah, I figured
I gave it back to you up above, so we’re even. I liked C-bo, and he played his ass of in the Calder Cup. I thought he could be an energy-line pest, like a Matt Cooke with upside. He’s got great ice vision, at least down in the A. I thought that, combined with his speed and shot, might translate. It still might – he’s only 23.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 1:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he deserves at least a full year in NHL practices and games before we talk definitively about him. He’s got a shot.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 1:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why not both? If we are consistantly able to run through 2-3 defensemen who were terrible in each game, I think that the majority of us would rather see the same mistakes be made by kids who wil actually LEARN from those mistakes (saying this in the assumption that they won’t be all-stars out of the gate).
by WolfPackof1 on Nov 6, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Rushing a guy can be bad for his development – in my opinion, worse than keeping him in the AHL too long. Alzner sound ready. Carlson might be, might not be, and he’s only 19. I’d like him to stay in Hershey for now.
by David M. Getz on Nov 6, 2009 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Slow cooking doesn’t hurt. Look at DET. Fast tracking can be brutal. Look at Eminger.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 6, 2009 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You know that Alzner is never going to have the offensive stats as Carlson. It’s simply not his game. He’s meant to be out there shutting people down, and that +12 certainly looks like he’s doing his job. He’s less likely to hit the wall this year than Carlson is simply because he’s already gone through a full year of professional hockey. I’m not totally against bringing Carlson up, and I think his physical maturity may make him less likely to hit the rookie wall than a lot of guys, but I am against him jumping Alzner on the depth chart as of now; especially if it’s because you are focusing on offensive output, which is not the problem with this team currently (though you could argue that offensive output from the D is a concern). I think what we really need is a defenseman that can skate and play a sound positional game and make good decisions with and without the puck. I think Alzner is more ready to provide that than Carlson is.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 6, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Semin ($4.6 m) + Pothier ($2.5 m) for Phanuef ($6.5 m) would work. … (but that still doesnt help get Alzner or Carlson on the roster)
by bigity b on Nov 6, 2009 11:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t see the Sutters who run that team wanting either of those guys.
by David M. Getz on Nov 6, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
understatement, to say the least!
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
by macvechkin on Nov 6, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I kind of doubt any sort of trade happens. GMGM seems really determined to get his value for his players until he’s forced to make a move. The whole Eminger thing worked out, but that dragged out longer that it needed to.
by apk3000 on Nov 5, 2009 10:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think the question should be; should GMGM make a trade and shake things up (and not WILL). Despite the past few trade deadlines, GMGM seems reluctant to go out on a limb and make deals that either a) shake things up (ala Bos a few weeks ago) or b) trade away prospects (besides Theo Ruth).
IMO, i am on the side that GMGM should pull the trigger on something. Not knowing who’s out there, or what’s out there I still would be fairly pleased by any move. A few years ago people put us on the same par with Pitt in terms of youth, prospects, etc. Well, it seems that their GM doesn’t mind going farther out on a limb and it certainly has paid off. A few years ago he gave up some bounty to get Hossa knowing full well Hossa could very likely leave. Last year they pulled the trigger on getting Guerin and a few others. Hell, Philly even gave up some bounty to get Pronger. The similarity in all three moves were big trades were made without subtracting from the core. GMGM needs to decide who “the core” of this team is and not be afraid to move others. That includes those in the AHL. ….
The flip side to thisquestion is, who do the caps have on value/interest to other teams? I doubt teams are burning up the lines for 6 of our 8 D (who we all wouldnt mind moving a few) or several of our forwards. Dare I say, Semin and draft picks are our biggest potential assets?
by bigity b on Nov 5, 2009 11:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pitt even fired a coach that just got done taking them through a deep playoff run because he just wasn’t getting the players going well enough. Now that was a gamble, but how much of this maddening play goes to the one organizing it?
Note, I am not calling for BB’s head and I thought it was a silly move when Pitt axed Therien, but while we are talking shake-ups i figured I’d stir that pot a little bit.
by renstar on Nov 5, 2009 12:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the Therien wasn’t respected by anyone, nor was he getting any production out of his team. The Caps are producing, they’re just also producing maddening penalties at the same time (and it seems to be a handful of guys taking the same stupid penalties each night).
I’m not ready to give up on Bruce yet. (However, I am close to being ready to throw Semin off the top of the Washington Monument)
by RedBirdie on Nov 5, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I will never give up on Bruce, especially considering where we were when he took over this team. However, I def. do agree with your Semin line. Although I thought I would never see the day we would deal him because of the Russia connection, Ovie BF, etc, he may be our best asset AND it would take a lot of dumb penalties off this team. Hell, if we could flip Zubrus (Ovie’s first Russian BF on the team) then Semin is a possibility too.
by bigity b on Nov 5, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Never say never...
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 5, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Well we know...
…that George wants to move the $4.875M Cap hit that Nylander is, but how to do that is going to be tough. He has to approve any move although at this point, I suspect he will welcome any NHL (unlikely) or KHL offer.
The other move might be to trade off one of the defensemen who are coming up as UFAs (Jurcina, Pothier, Morrisonn). Jurcina’s value is likely increasing as he is playing well these days. Pothier probably doesn’t have as much value. Morrisonn will attract attention to be sure. If he can move one of these folks, bring in a rugged forward who ideally can score a little bit (a Kris Draper/Mike Grier/Dustin Byfuglien type) all the better.
The Caps would have to toss in some other things along with the defenseman (a prospect or draft choice(s).) but there are deals that can be made….
I don’t think he’ll use the nuclear option like he did in 2000 when he traded Zednik and Bulis for Zubrus and Trevor Linden…not yet anyway…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Nov 5, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know Morrisonn attracts that much attention. He’d be a useful player on a decent number of teams but he’s overpaid and he’s a UFA at the end of the year.
That said, I think McPhee needs to move, at bare minimum, one of those defensemen and get Alzner to the NHL level.
by David M. Getz on Nov 5, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I’m with you. That is priority number 1.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 5, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think you and I flirted with this last night, is it less about a move and more about a demotion? Do you suck it up and let the asset go for nothing, even re-entry waivers, if it means you can get a cheaper and more talented one up here?
"I'm just doing karate and trying to get females pregnant."
by Bald Pollack on Nov 5, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
are you talking about Bourque? Oh wait, we didnt get a “cheaper and more talented one up here” to replace. …
I don’t know about demoting any of our current d. I’m just getting a bit tired of watching those ranked in the 4-8 range expecting they’ll somehow turn into the next Pronger (Schultz excluded!). I refuse to believe GMGM can’t work out a package to another team that consists of two of those d. Example, I agree with all Morrsion has picked up his game to ‘07 levels, but he is one of three D that are UFA this offseason. Did I mention we have 2 AHLers ready to come up? I.e. we’re not resigning 2 of them!… I’m a bit scattered, but is this going down that “asset management” discussion?
by bigity b on Nov 5, 2009 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m usually against losing assets for nothing, but I do think addition by subtraction is possible. Ideally we’d just move one or two guys for late round picks or spare parts, but I’m starting to think waivers may be palatable. Alzner, IMO, will make this team better no later than spring. He may even be an improvement right now. He needs to be in the lineup and I’m growing impatient of waiting for the “perfect trade” to finally open a slot for him.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 5, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed on the “perfect trade” impatience.
by bigity b on Nov 5, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
S-Mo is overpaid, but perhaps a team would be willing to stomach it because he is a pending UFA. It’s not out of the question that a team would be opposed to giving up a 4th/5th rounder to rent him. As long as we get to dump salary, right?
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
by macvechkin on Nov 5, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Soon ,Gabby's bark will have no bite
if he doesnt bench Semin for periods at a time. Morrison paid the price, and sat out half the 3rd, and he had been playing so well of late.
And for Christ’s sake, George, move one of these players(mainly defenders) that aren’t named Nylander without delaying until the trade deadline; let’s move ahead with the Carl-zner plan.
And keep Mathieu Perreault up for a while
by S h a g g y on Nov 5, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
agree with all points. … and at some point Gordon and Fehr (try not to laugh) are going to get healthy which will only further crowd the F’s. GMGM should strike earlier (now/soon) than later (trade deadline). I can’t believe a package of talent wont get something in return.
by bigity b on Nov 5, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Trade Fehr
Make-or-break season broken. Can’t do much in the NHL with bum shoulders.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Nov 5, 2009 2:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nah
At this point, why? Unless some GM is banking on the ol’ “change of scenery” schtick, you’re not going to get anything back for him – maybe a mid-round pick – given his health issues. Trading Fehr also doesn’t clear up enough cap space to do anything interesting.
I think they should hold onto Fehr for a bit, but axe at least one defenseman. Of course, the whole cap-space issue becomes moot if Nyls gets moved.
Also, apropos of cap hits and marginal depth forwards, Sloan hasn’t looked too bad as a 4th-line winger. He drops a little low on his defensive coverage, but that’s to be expected…
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 5, 2009 9:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Put Fehr in Hershey, then. Where he can play big minutes or some horseshit.
Maybe play with an edge, be a little more physical -- maybe be more of a prick out there.
by jordanDC on Nov 6, 2009 8:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think the alternatives are any better. I’d rather have Fehr on the wing than Laing or Sloan.
by David M. Getz on Nov 6, 2009 9:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Buy High, Sell Low?
Because that’s essentially what you’re advocating. Fehr might not be great right now, but he’s got potential. I’m not saying I see him in the Caps’ long-term plans, but we at least need to get an ROI on him that’s a little higher than a 4th-round pick, and that’s probably what we’d get right now (my Eric Fehr for Chris Stewart fantasies notwithstanding).
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 6, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not advocating getting rid of Fehr, I’m just saying his value may only drop. After Pokie’s first concussion we could say “well he’s damaged goods so we won’t get much for him and he was a first round pick.” Then we hold him and he continues to a) not be any good and b) get concussions. We end up losing him for nothing. Just a thought.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 6, 2009 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Fehr showed enough promise to fetch anything more than a 4th round pick, chances are we’d want to keep him.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
by macvechkin on Nov 6, 2009 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not true. If we don’t think he’s going to pan out, and is thus worth very little, then we should trade him if another team overvalues him. CBJ thought Teddy Ruth was worth Fedorov. GMGM knew he wasn’t. You look for a team that overvalues your players and then make the trade.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 6, 2009 11:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d love to know the story behind that trade.
by RedBirdie on Nov 6, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It was a matter of the highest bid. Everyone knew Fedorov was done with Columbus; it was just a matter of getting the best offered return. Whether that was Ruth, we’ll never know
by David M. Getz on Nov 6, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m just saying that the reality would be different if he showed promise and wasn’t injury prone. The other teams wouldn’t be overvaluing him because we’d value him much higher.
Russian Machine very rarely breaks.
by macvechkin on Nov 6, 2009 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
At this point, it’s the equivalent to washing and waxing your car before you sell it. Sure, the underlying car’s the same, but it’s not covered in bird-shit.
I'm trying to work out a deal with a club in Europe
by D'ohboy on Nov 7, 2009 1:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s only 15 games into the season (8-3-4). I’m thinking if certain things haven’t turned around by the 30-game mark (stupid penalties, clamping down on D, penalty killing), he should make some moves. The trade deadline will be too late.
by OldPhil on Nov 5, 2009 7:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We’ve been dealing with these problems for two seasons and now going into a third. This is a long-term problem that hasn’t been solved. The trades that McPhee has made the past two seasons were ones to get rid of dead weight (Sutherby, Emminger, Lepisto, Pettinger).
Time to up the ante and send a message by trading either Semin or another player of significant value. With Semin it’s always been “how much can you live with a dumb penalty if he scores in bunches?”
This is from March:
SovSport: We asked the Washington coach Bruce Boudreau to grade you for our series titled "Letters to the National Team." He praised [you]. But he noted that you have a talent to pick up a silly penalty.
Semin: "This is a bad habit that I have to get rid of. But actually every player has negatives. It happens that you get a lot of penalties but also don’t score much. The game against Montreal is an example. The refs threw me out from the ice and we conceded an important goal taking the game into overtime. I didn’t understand myself why I was penalized. But I improved, brought Washington the victory . . ."
But when you don’t score goals when you’re supposed to and the team loses … ?
by chockster on Nov 5, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Siberian Snowflake lives in his own little alternate reality, I think.
by RedBirdie on Nov 6, 2009 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Flash the key?
is Flash the key to the Semin question?
if Flash pans out and becomes a solid 20-30 goal guy, or at least shows signs of this, will GMGM be more willing/comfortable trading away the 2nd best goal scorer on the team for another much needed skill set?
by ns on Nov 6, 2009 11:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
At $725k and impending RFA, YES. And he has been showing signs of it. G/G, 50 in 50?
by red army line on Nov 6, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the Semin situation is independent of Flash. If Flash keeps this up and improves his game that could lead GMGM to look for a different return (i.e. focus on defense rather than replacing his scoring) but I don’t think it changes whether GMGM moves Semin. In all likelihood Flash will never be a perfect replacement for Semin (it’s a sever indictment of Semin if Flash ever does equal Semin’s production) so I don’t think that’s how GMGM looks at it.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 6, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s a bit too early for a “roster shakeup.”
"My face is my mask."
by jakeshapiro on Nov 6, 2009 1:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think this recent Nylander activity is showing GMGM may be getting ready / preparing for a roster move / shake-up…..
by bigity b on Nov 7, 2009 3:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
21 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
19 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 18 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 9:16 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
