Pick 'Em: Best Capitals Draft Pick of the Decade
by David M. Getz on Dec 11, 2009 1:00 PM EST
196 comments
Readers who venture outside the friendly internet confines of the the Rink may have noticed that, in anticipation of the end of the decade 2010, Puck Daddy has been compiling the best and worst of the last decade, including the ten biggest goon moments, the best and worst contracts, and NHL's best and worst decisions. Yesterday saw Ryan Lambert of The Two Line Pass take a look at the five best and five worst draft picks of the last ten years.
Being a Capitals blog we figured it would make for some interesting discussion to pilfer the idea alter their framework every so slightly to suit our favorite team and take a look at some of studs and duds of recent Washington draft classes. To make things a little more interesting, we decided to eliminate lottery picks, which in essence means no Alex Ovechkin, no Nicklas Backstrom, and no Karl Alzner.
To start things off, let's take a look at the five worst:
5. Jakub Cutta (Defense, 2nd round, 61st overall, 2000)
Cutta was billed as a guy with an ideal frame, but a project nonetheless. At the time of his draft people knew there were questions about his skating, his ability to move the puck out of the zone at the next level, and whether he would ever use his 6'3'', 214 frame as effectively as possible. The problem was, nothing ever really panned out. The skating never became NHL caliber, there wasn't any offense to speak of as a pro, and while Cutta laid out a big hit every once in a while, he was far from an intimidating physical force. All told Cutta saw action in eight games over the course of three seasons with the Caps, earning himself a minus-5 rating. By 2006 Cutta would be back in his native Czech Republic, and he's been splitting time between his homeland and Russia for the past few years. It's not always fair to look back and evaluate a pick using 20/20 hindsight, but the fact that Paul Martin was taken with the 62nd pick certainly doesn't make this one any easier to swallow.
4. Josh Godfrey (Defense, 2nd round, 34th overall, 2007)
Yeah, it's still early, but thing don't look very good for Godfrey, who's now in his second season with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays. Part of us wants to say that the blue line is stacked at Hershey, that Godfrey's still young, and that he was drafted as an offensive defenseman who would have to spend a lot of time working out the kinks in his own end before he had a chance at the NHL. Another part of us says that guys who spend more than one season in the ECHL don't usually do much at the NHL level - and that's not enough for someone picked 34th overall. The fact that, other than Kings prospects Wayne Simmonds and Oscar Moller, no one picked after Godfrey has seen much NHL playing time helps keep him from rising on this list - for now.
3. Keith Seabrook (Defense, 2nd round, 52nd overall, 2006)
Also an offensive defenseman, the Capitals were hoping Seabrook would one day be a powerplay quarterback, or at least an offensive threat from the blue line. However, Seabrook underwhelmed offensively, first by scoring 13 points (two goals) in 37 games at the University of Denver and then by scoring 17 (four goals) in 59 games with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen - all while failing to make marked progress in his own end. In 2008-09 Seabrook finally became the offensive force people thought he was capable of being by registering 55 points (fifteen goals) for the Hitmen, but questions persisted about whether it was because he was growing in to his talent or because he was an overage player. Currently in the Calgary Flames organization, Seabrook still has a chance to become an NHL player, but never came close to getting a contract, let alone a game, with the Caps.
2. Joe Finley (Defense, 1st round, 27th overall, 2005)
The Caps would eventually sign Finley in the summer of 2009, but his future seems to be up in the air. After playing as a forward in camp, Finley's back on the blue line with South Carolina this season. If Finley ever makes it to the NHL, it's almost certainly going to be in a limited role as an enforcer...and you don't aim to draft a part-time enforcer in the first round. 36 of the first 45 players taken in the 2005 draft have played in the NHL, and has four of the five and seven of the ten taken after Finley. The issue at this point wasn't the talent pool. It was the selection.
1. Sasha Pokulok (Defense, 1st round, 14th overall, 2005)
How could it be anyone else? There's no way the Caps should have been picking 14th in 2005, but they sure didn't do themselves any favors in picking Pokulok. Billed as a physical specimen with skating ability and offensive upside, Pokulok was beset by concussion problems each of his three years in the Capitals organization. In the end, Pokulok wasn't able to stick in Hershey, let alone Washington, earning himself the dubious (and unfortunate) title of "Worst Capitals Pick of the Decade".
Honorable Mentions: Steve Eminger, Ted Ruth, Maxime Daigneault, Boyd Gordon
Now that that's over, let's take a look at the five best:
5. John Carlson (Defense, 1st round, 27th overall, 2008)
He's played just three games at the NHL level thus far, but is there any reason to think Carlson won't be a very, very good NHL defender? With size, skill, and smarts he's bested every challenge thrown his way since the draft, finishing second in the OHL in scoring among defensemen and second among rookies last year, and registering 18 points in 24 games for the Bears this year. Carlson may very well be a top pairing guy in the very near future, and in a league that prizes two way defensemen as highly as the NHL does that's a heck of a return on the 27th pick.
4. Johnny Oduya (Defense, 7th round, 221st overall, 2001)
Hey, we said these guys were going to be Capitals draftees, we never said anything about whether the team signed him. With only one point and an minus-1 rating, Oduya's slumping this year but he's nonetheless a legitimate top-four guy defenseman in the NHL, something that can only be said for a handful of the 200 players taken before him.
3. Alexander Semin (Left Wing/Right Wing, 13th overall, 2002)
At September's Capitals Convention members of the team's scouting staff were insistent they'd been lucky with Semin, who has grown three inches and added thirty-five pounds since the time he was drafted. Even if there was some luck involved, Semin is a elite offensive player who may just be the most naturally talented guy in the NHL. Picking thirteenth overall you expect to get an NHL caliber player - but getting a guy with Semin's ability in that spot is a steal. He might not have the career top 2002 pick Rich Nash will, be there's no doubt Semin was the most talented player available at the this spot - and your GM picking that guy is all you can ask for.
2. Semyon Varlamov (Goalie, 23rd overall, 2006)
We'd be lying if we said there wasn't a part of us that was still scared Semyon Varlamov was going to burn out (insert obligatory Jim Carey reference here), but what he's doing at his age, well, that just doesn't happen very often. The Capitals get credit here for being willing to use their first round pick to take a netminder in what was regarded as a weak draft between the pipes. The next time you want to criticize George McPhee for going off the board, remember that sometimes the risk pays off.
1. Mike Green (Defense, 29th overall, 2004)
Twenty-ninth overall isn't exactly scraping the bottom of the barrel, but no one expected this. Fifty-one goals and 159 points in his last 180 games, a historically great season, a Norris Trophy nomination at age 23, and comparisons to Paul Coffey would make Green a great pick just about anywhere, but at the end of the first round it's practically criminal. Thank the Lord the Stars saw something they liked in Mark Fistric.
Honorable Mentions: Mathieu Perreault, Oskar Osala, Braden Holtby
While the issue of the worst draft pick seems pretty cut-and-dry (seriously, if anyone thinks it's someone other than Pokulok, we'd love to hear why), the best pick is up for debate - and we want to know what you think. Vote in the poll, and let us know who you picked in the comments section.
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I’d guess Green because he at least had a Hershey trip or two before finally sticking. Ask me again next year depending on where the roster is and I’d say Perreault.
A technical note: the poll comes up before you expand the post. Dunno if that was intentional, figured I’d mention it.
"After the Cold War, the AK-47 became Russia's biggest export. After that came vodka, caviar, and suicidal novelists (and a couple good hockey players)."
SBN glitch – can’t post a poll post-jump. Lame.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 11, 2009 1:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It works, I had to think about voting before I read any swaying arguments. I picked Green, too, because at 29, a Paul Coffey clone is phenomenal.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions
Did you know they have a support email where you can notify them of your problems?
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
I’m happy that Boyd Gordon is where he is on this post. So tired of people defending that selection.
I think the best pick has to go to Greenie, because he was definitely not a sure-thing and brings a skillset that is more unique than the others on the list.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
Sutherby should also be an honorable mention.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Was Pettinger a 2000s draft pick, or was he actually ’99?
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
He was 200, but the Caps got ~350 games out of him and his career’s been affected by injuries. I don’t think that’s so bad for a mid second round guy.
by David M. Getz on Dec 11, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
I think ranking Finley second is a bit unfair to the player. Finley would likely have been a much better pick had the NHL not had a lockout that ended up providing a hiatus during which the league could tweak its rules to benefit 2005 draft pick Sidney Crosby open up the game to more offense. In a “clutch-and-grab” era, Finley might have done much better, perhaps a poor man’s Derian Hatcher. In an up-tempo era, he suffers. He’s a victim of the times as much as talent.
If you've read this far...seek help.
One could argue that part of a GM’s job is being in tune with the league and which way it’s trending. I have to agree DMG that his NHL future doesn’t look terribly bright at this point.
My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.
I agree with this comment about the context, but don’t have time to review the list/picks in general at this time. Logged in to provide this update in case anyone is wondering.
Also, for those interested, the latest update on Finley’s injury: “Finley will spend the next two months in a cast after having surgery on his hand. … It was a pretty serious injury and there’s a chance he could be out the rest of the season. Cail is hoping he’ll back before the end of the season.”
another link failure, blah
source: www.charleston.net Andrew Miller’s Stingrays’ blog
Not done reading it yet, but I’d swap Eric Mestery with Godfrey. I’m not a huge fan of Godfrey but Mestery is a mess.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 1:21 PM EST reply actions
Amen. You don’t always know what’s going on at a draft, but Mestery was projected (I think) as a 4th or 5th rounder, and we went “off the board” and took him in the 2nd. I think going off the board is justifiable if you think the guy isn’t going to come back around to you and you can’t trade down, but my god, what did they see in Mestery that caused that kind of leap.
Yeah. And I had a fantasy that GMGM would trade that pick and a later round pick to move up in the second and pick Nicholas Deschamps. That didn’t work out…
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions
Although he’s having a decent season thus far, and I wouldn’t argue that he was a horrible pick considering his numbers in Junior, Eric Fehr should at least get mentioned because of the players that were taken after him. Ryan Getzlaf, Brent Burns, Ryan Kesler, Mike Richards, and Corey Perry. I like Fehr and think power forwards take a little longer to develop, but I would take any of those players over Fehr in a heartbeat.
by JimCareyFanClub on Dec 11, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I am surprised that Oduya does not have more votes.
by Moonage Daydream on Dec 11, 2009 1:24 PM EST reply actions
Uh
Why?
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
I couldn’t tell if this was snark or not. Oduya is a nice player, but he certainly isn’t the player the three guys ahead of him have proven themselves to be. In truth, I’d be surprised if he was a “better” player than Carlson at the end of the day.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
The argument for Oduya being better than Semin, Varly, and Green stems from the fact that he is a legit top 4 D that was taken in the 7th round. It’s not that he is better than Semin, Varly, it’s about value in that sense, and his value as a 7th round pick. However, Semin and Green both have the once in a generation talent that is usually only found in lotto picks. So how many talents like Green and Semin do you find after the first 5 picks each year verses number of top 4 Ds taken in the 7th round every year? It’s probably closer than it seems at first glance IMO IMHO.
If I were to move Oduya up it would be ahead of Varly but still behind Semin and Greenie…for now…just because of what DMG said about Carey and the fact that Varly’s lower body injuries scare me a little. Despite the Carey example I still think that if Varly can remain healthy he is our answer between the pipes for a long time, and that would probably elevate him past Oduya.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Dec 11, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions
As obvious as it is that Pokulok is the worst, it’s equally obvious that Green is the best. It’s not even close. If you could ask every team in the league which guy they’d want a re-do on do you think anyone says anything but Green? No chance.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
I could see Lundqvist there, but among Caps draftees, definitely Green.
by red army line on Dec 11, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
205th overall.
The artist formerly known as thehoagster07
by what Juneau about that? on Dec 11, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
round 7, 20th overall
http://hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2000e.html
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 11, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
er, 205th overall
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 11, 2009 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
if we had slightly under 200 more picks to go before hitting Henrik, I’d still have rather taken Green at 29, because he was clearly on more teams’ radars.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions
Me too, but since Henrik starting impressing the year right after he was drafted (in the SEL, then), a short turnaround for Green for Lundqvist + picks.
by red army line on Dec 11, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
The argument for Oduya being better than Semin, Varly, and Green stems from the fact that he is a legit top 4 D that was taken in the 7th round. It’s not that he is better than Semin, Varly, it’s about value in that sense, and his value as a 7th round pick. However, Semin and Green both have the once in a generation talent that is usually only found in lotto picks. So how many talents like Green and Semin do you find after the first 5 picks each year verses number of top 4 Ds taken in the 7th round every year? It’s probably closer than it seems at first glance IMO IMHO.
If I were to move Oduya up it would be ahead of Varly but still behind Semin and Greenie…for now…just because of what DMG said about Carey and the fact that Varly’s lower body injuries scare me a little. Despite the Carey example I still think that if Varly can remain healthy he is our answer between the pipes for a long time, and that would probably elevate him past Oduya.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Dec 11, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
I took your Bates the first time. It won’t work again.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
The acting in that movie was amazing. I can’t believe anyone would try to recreate it.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Sorry for the reply fail…I hadn’t even realized it posted at all, not to mention twice…SBN was being extremely wonky for me earlier.
by BradleyFightingVehicle on Dec 11, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
I think if you are talking about the impact a draftee had on the Capitals, Ruth is actually a great pick. Yea the pick was bad, but the player got us Fedorov who was an essential part to the awesome end of 07-08.
"And next year it will be ours."
That seems sort of silly as a measuring stick of how good a pick is…
Hockey players aren't like other people. Witt after being hit by a car:
I’m okay. No big deal...I’ve got to go play some hockey. I’m a hockey player.
We talk about trades being good or bad based on the pick that they garner. Seems reasonable to say that a pick that turns into a player and a trade has the same worth in an argument.
"I think the relentless negative coverage in The Washington Post is a real difference from previous years," Redskins general counsel David Donovan said. "But in terms of the way our actual fans are behaving, we don't see any difference."
But the pick doesn’t have much to do with the player. It could have been any project player thrown to the CBJ and they would have taken them to unload Feds.
Hockey players aren't like other people. Witt after being hit by a car:
I’m okay. No big deal...I’ve got to go play some hockey. I’m a hockey player.
The way I judge a pick (since no one asked) is to look at the best guy(s) taken after a given pick. On Semin, for example, he may have been the 13th pick in the draft, but he was arguably the best pick that could have been made (guys taken after him include Cam Ward, Duncan Keith, so if we work from the premise that the Caps weren’t going to take another D after selecting Eminger with the previous pick, and no one drafts a G there… Semin’s the guy).
Oduya, on the other hand, was a late pick (221st) but even there, there were arguably better or comparable guys selected thereafter (Svatos, Jurcina).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 11, 2009 1:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Oh, and I voted Green.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Dec 11, 2009 1:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I agree. That’s similar to how I look at the picks as well. You want to be getting the best possible player for the position you were given and if you get someone better than people that picked before you you’re really getting your job done.
Hockey players aren't like other people. Witt after being hit by a car:
I’m okay. No big deal...I’ve got to go play some hockey. I’m a hockey player.
Not sure how well that works for me for best picks. If I took Zack Parise and Ryan Getzlaf turns out to be a better player, Parise wasn’t a great pick? I guess I take a more subjective view of “value” and say if I got a great player at my pick, sure I could’ve done better but I’m very happy.
That strategy works very effectively for me with early round bad picks (I’m talking to you Sasha and Finley).
Eminger was wasted by BB, I’m sorry to say. I’d rather have Eminger than Juice or Erskine, if it really came down to it.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
If Eminger was wasted by BB he was also wasted by Hanlon, TBL, FLA, and he’s either just a mediocre player or is being wasted by ANA.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
I’m tempted to put Gus on that first list but I guess we’ll give him a little more time.
And the inclusion of Holtby and Osala on the honorable mention list really highlights the lack of success in finding those mid/late round gems. But with picks like Semin, Green, and Carlson, they’ve hit a few home runs that I’m very happy with.
Yeah, I’d say still too early to say for sure.
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
It is too early, but it’s looking more and more like we can already predict his career path. I much more expect Mackan to come over and make the Hershey Bears, if not the big club, than I did Anton.
For being a 1st round, Euro draft pick, he’s definitely a disappointment, thus far.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
He was a disappointment the moment they traded up to draft him.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
I voted Green because he wasn’t a no-brainer pick who turned out to be arguably the most talented and best defensemen in the NHL.
Varly was the only pick I was was thinking about putting as first over green but goalies are always a gamble and that gamble just happened to work out OK with Varly. Green is a product of good scouting, development, and little bit of luck.
Hockey players aren't like other people. Witt after being hit by a car:
I’m okay. No big deal...I’ve got to go play some hockey. I’m a hockey player.
This decade. I’d have voted Volchkov, otherwise :-).
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
My mistake, in my efforts to purge all Beech memores, I was thinking he was a 2000 draftee, not 1999.
I never owned a Calgary Hitmen Beech jersey, you know.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
I can’t believe I missed that sig. Absolute genius.
Eh, yo lesson here ’Bay…
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions
Variety’s the spice of life…But thanks for the nice words YNC and F&B
You come at the king, you best not miss.
I sincerely hope both you guys have seen this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sgj78QG9Bg
Think I’ll watch it again now.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 11, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions
They had to make it though. The opening scene and the 40 degree day lines were grievous omissions from the first version.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
Honestly, I’d really want to include lottery picks just so that i could pick Backstrom. We all remember that draft and how we could have had Phil Kessel instead. GMGM really killed with that pick, and we’ll reap those benefits for a very long time. I’d say that could have been the most difficult pick.
And that’s not to mention those around him: Johnson, Staal, Toews, and Kessel. Now, all of those teams will defend their respective picks, but it is my belief we really did get the best player(s) in that draft at 4 and 23. IMO, only Toews is/is going to be anywhere near as good from that draft: Kessel is too 1-dimensional, Staal isn’t the offensive, play-making threat he was in Juniors, and Johnson has a stunted development which he may or may not overcome.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 2:04 PM EST reply actions
Staal isn’t the offensive, play-making threat he was in Juniors
Jordan Staal had 96 points in 134 games in the OHL, hardly offensive numbers. He was drafted for his size, two-way ability and the “p” word (potential). I don’t think he’s ever been described as a playmaking threat.
The Caps did very well to draft Backstrom, but at the same time Pittsburgh didn’t need a playmaking center (they had those other two guys) and Chicago added an almost instant captain who’s a tremendous offensive player in his own right.
It was smart to draft Backstrom over Kessel, but I bet even that was a natural decision, given the Caps have elite goal scorers more than elite playmakers.
Basically everything worked out almost perfectly for all the teams at the top of the draft.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
I do remember Staal being touted by many as the perfect center for Ovechkin, so natural assumptions filled my mind…
But alright, I’ll agree that everyone got what they needed, though we know Boston really wanted Backs, instead, according to a YouTube clip I’m not currently able to seek out and link.
But overall point being, given the grand opportunity to mess up that pick due to its difficulty, GMGM passed swimmingly, and is among his more triumphant picks.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Link to the Youtubes.
The quality is horrible, but the content is cool.
"And next year it will be ours."
Uh
You forgot the bloodlines. Jordan Smith isn’t the 2nd overall pick. No sir.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions
Staal was good enough to play a major role on a NHL playoff team when he was 18 years old (while scoring 29 goals). Having famous brothers no doubt helped, but it didn’t do that.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Definitely, but I think he was pretty hyped – that skillset is still more Boyd Gordon than Eric Staal, and probably shouldn’t have been taken that high.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
Right. A “major role” sure, but not a role having the same value as (a) his brothers or (b) the two centers on his own team who are better than him. There’s a reason every other checking line center has a lower salary than Jordan does.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
probably shouldn’t have been taken that high.
I’d agree with you if Staal didn’t go to a team with 2 centers that are NHL scoring champions. Perfect situation for the player and team.
Also J. Staal has ~0.60 points/game this season, Boyd Gordon’s career avg is 0.24. He’s got more offensive upside than just a PK’ing center.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Agree that Staal is far better than Boyd Gordon. But disagree that Staal was the “perfect” fit for PIT. He worked out well for sure, but if his name was Jordan Smith the Pens take either Toews or Kessel. Both are capable of playing wing, Toews brings all the intangibles and Kessel is a 50-60 goal scorer next to Crosby. Those guys are equally good fits for the Pens and I don’t think you can say the Pens needed Staal to win that Cup; or that they wouldn’t have won it with Kessel or Toews.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
Pittsburgh would be literally frightening if it had Crosby/Malkin/Toews. I would shit my pants all day on gameday.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, this is the kind of situation where I say, “they got an 88 and could have gotten a 92”. Hardly the kind of thing that I’d be too nit-picky about.
Now, taking Terry Ryan (MON) with the 8th pick instead of Jarome Iginla (who went 11th to Dallas in 1995)…? Oops!
Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com
Yeah, this is the kind of situation where I say, "they got an 88 and could have gotten a 92". Hardly the kind of thing that I’d be too nit-picky about.
Probably rings true, with the caveat that Staal has a ceiling still to grow into (Toews future not considered).
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Of course not. I’m not saying anything about his actual NHL production. I’m saying that less than a point a game in the OHL doesn’t make you a 2 overall in a deep draft if you don’t have the coveted bloodlines. He could have been a mid-first round pick, but 2 overall with the other names on the board? No chance.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
Again I think your argument is weakened by the fact the Staal played and played well as an 18 year old in the NHL. His all-around game and overall polish shows why he was deserving of where he went.
I say that even though, doubtlessly Toews, Backstrom and Kessel clearly have more offensive skill.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Ryan O’Reilly has played well in the NHL. Should he have been the 2 overall?
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe if the 2nd team to pick has two scoring champion centers.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
But this is the NHL, not the NFL. You draft for need in the NHL, sure, but generally speaking, you draft the best player available – and Staal was not the best player available.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
“Generally speaking” doesn’t apply to a specific, unique situation like this, though.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Maybe if the only options were offensive Cs, but I just don’t see how you can justify taking Staal over Toews in any situation really. Toews isn’t redundant with Crosby and Malkin, can play solid defensively, has much more offensive upside, can play wing, has more intangibles, and is simply a better player.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
It was a gamble that appeared to work, but taking Staal over Toews/Backs is a pretty large gamble.
And Malkin was an unknown quantity at the NHL level at that point, too. You’d think a GM takes Toews in the event that Malkin doesn’t defect/pan out.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
If anything, I think Staal was the safest pick. He was the only one who played in the NHL right off the bat.
Pens management knew Malkin was serious about coming to America though….Impossible to tell his commitment level to basically defect like the Cold War, but I think they knew he’d come and be solid.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
I don’t buy it. I remember that draft. Toews and Backstrom were very well known players. Kessel was the risk. I don’t buy that people were more uncertain about Toews or Backstrom than Staal.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
(by “well known” I mean they’d played consistently for a long time, and you knew what you were getting. Kessel had been inconsistent)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
OK, that’s just crazy. Take Toews and trade either Crosby or Malkin for a king’s ransom. Toronto just sold their soul for Phil Kessel. Imagine what they would have given for Crosby.
Are you seriously telling me that at team with (1) Toews, Malkin, and double what Toronto gave Boston for Kessel wouldn’t be better than (2) a team with Crosby, Malkin and Staal? Because I think Toronto would have given more than double that bounty for Crosby. We’re talking about more than an Eric Lindros return here.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
Along these lines: perhaps the Caps should have drafted a pure-goal scorer like Kessel and traded Ovechkin or Semin and had a huge reward.
See why that doesn’t make sense?
You come at the king, you best not miss.
I don’t get it. Backstrom is better than Kessel. History has shown pretty clearly that Backstrom was the best player available at the time. Why would they have drafted an inferior player so that they could then trade a star?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions
They aren’t trading Crosby. All you have to ask is whether Crosby, Malkin, Toews > Crosby, Malkin, Staal. I don’t even think it’s close that the Toews combo is better.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:12 PM EST up reply actions
Obviously, I wasn’t clear enough. My point was that even if a team really only wants to have two scoring centers (which itself doesn’t make sense), you still draft Toews. The dropoff from either Crosby to Malkin to Toews isn’t very far. And the potential return — everything you can get in trade for Crosby or Malkin — is huge.
Hockey players are fungible. You can trade them. I’m not sure it ever makes sense to draft anyone other than the best available player. It certainly didn’t make sense in this situation, since Toews is so much better than Staal.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
I’m agreeing with you. I don’t see how they pass up Toews. I think the Caps maybe would have taken Backstrom over Toews because they needed that playmaking. Even though the Pens didn’t need Backstrom’s playmaking Toews is just a superior player to Staal and not redundant with Malkin and Crosby.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
That’s a good point, F&B….Like I told you last week, I favored Toews over Staal, but the reasons the pick was made makes sense to me.
I don’t concede that Toews will have a better career than Staal, though obviously JT is more skiled and doubtlessly is a top player in the league.
What it boils down to is the right pick was made by the team at the right time, IMO, even if other great options were on the table.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
It worked out for the Pens, no doubt. And I agree it’s way too soon to say who will have the better career, especially with Toews’ injury problems already. I just reflexively buck against the Staal hype machine and don’t think his production alone merited his draft position. At least the Pens got a quality player when they drafted for bloodlines, the Caps get burned when they try that crap.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
Unless everyone really thought he was going to follow Eric’s footsteps, in which case, it’s probably a wash.
Considering his numbers that you taught me a few moments ago, they can’t have honestly thought that, and I think other teams would have thought that, too.
But, if Pitt had to have Staal, he wasn’t going to last past Boston, so they had to take him when they could.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Boyd Gordon gets about 800,000. Staal gets more than 4 million. His actual value is somewhere between those two.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
The $4 million Staal’s getting is over 4 years, kind of similiar to how Green got $5+ million after one good season. Even though Green proved to be more than worth the money, at the time he signed it the team trades a little higher payday now for more years in the future.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Look at his comparable players. Staal just ain’t worth 4 Million a year.
Green’s an offensive defenseman, and those guys get PAID. Guys who fill Staal’s role and have his numbers just don’t get that kind of salary around the league.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
Holik did. Goddamn, he was an expensive 3rd liner.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions
And there are several players that play Green’s role, get paid more, and do it worse. I can’t think of any players that are worse 3Cs than Staal but make more money. In that light Green looks like much more of a bargain.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
No doubt Green is a better value relative to his talent and paycheck, just using an example of young guys that get contracts awarded largely on future value (Olesz with a cap hit of 3.125m is probably a better example).
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Green got his contract after leading the NHL in goals from D. Yeah it was one year but considering how long he’d been in the league, and his trajectory, it’s hard to say his was purely a speculation contract. Staal’s trajectory was the other way, Shero has a huge attachment to him, and he’s by far the highest paid (and best) 3C in the league. I don’t really think it’s analogous.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
Like I said, Green wasn’t the best example, just trying for a relevant one for Caps fans.
Also, for the record, I think Drury ($7.05m cap hit) is behind Prospal and Dubinsky/Higgins at times in the line rotation for NYR and is probably the highest paid 3C.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
The difference is that he wasn’t originally intended to be the 3C like Staal was. He got paid to be a #1, and didn’t perform. There are no illusions of that with Staal.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
Good point on Drury, Hooks.
I think that teams thought Staal had 2C upside (and he still might) when he was drafted. I don’t think he was drafted to be a future 3C.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
Fair enough, it was an open market contract too, which inflated the salary as well.
At the same time, I don’t think Staal is a 3C on very many NHL teams, even if I suspect fans may not trust his production.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Actually, I’m not sure he’s a 2C on most teams. Capitals 2C, Brendan Morrison, for example, is not a better player than Staal, IMO, but I wouldn’t put Staal at our 2C – he’s just not that style of player, to my eyes.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
The Caps are better than most teams…There certainly are a handful of teams where you’re right, but there’s no small number of teams that Staal’s size and, yes, skill would make him a Top 6 guy around the NHL.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
This is a real good point. I mean, Danius Zubrus was a 1C with the Caps. But that team stunk. Staal could probably play 2C on 2/3 of the league, and maybe even 1C on a handful of teams. That’s part of the reason I’ve tried to abstract away from actual NHL production. It’s so dependent on so many other factors. The point I was trying to make when I jumped in this mess was only that the bloodlines had a significant impact on where Jordan was drafted.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
i was just rewatching the wire season 1, your sig has to be a reference right?
CELTICS, BRAVES, REDSKINS, AND THE CAPS
Chris Drury.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 11, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
Should have read the other posts before commenting.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 11, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions
Staal’s got points in 11 of the last 12 games….He’s 21 years old and rounding into offensive output. He’s not a 45g, 55a ceiling guy like Toews, but Staal’s value is in other things he does well.
If paying Staal $4m is the Penguins biggest problem, they’ll keep racking up the trophies.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Hey, at least y’all are getting some production out the $ 4+ Million center you’re overpaying…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
It’s funny — it’ll be 2 years before we’re happy with Nylander’s contract…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
Well, we’ll never be happy with the contract, but in 6 months we won’t really care about it anymore. Nobody can convince me that Nylander is going to have any impact on the Caps salary cap situation next season. Not. Going. To. Happen.
/summertime, and then movin’s easy
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions
It doesn’t directly affect the team’s success, but I for one will be happy when the Caps are no longer paying him…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed. But I’d add Tom Poti, Brian Pothier, John Erskine, Shamo, and Juice to that list. And unfortunately the Captain as well. When the youngblood fills our lineup we are going to be scary.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions
I’d like to see the Caps keep paying Pothier — just less money. And Juice is growing on me (which sounds painful, I know). I won’t miss the rest, but I would like to see an experienced defensive defenseman walk in the door as Poti walks out.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 5:09 PM EST up reply actions
I guess. Juice can stay if he gains consistency, but I’m not sold yet. I’ve already mentally penciled in Green/Schultz/Alzner/Carlson as the top four going forward, so we only need depth guys. Erskine is an ok 7, but expensive. Potsy can stay with a pay cut. I could live with that. But not 2.5 for a guy that needs regular benchings.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
I think that was poking at the Nylander situation, not at Staal.
by red army line on Dec 11, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions
Backstrom was a no-brainer. We needed a C not a W. GMGM wasn’t going to be tempted by Kessel.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Remember that Kessel was being touted as a C/W at the time, and he was even interviewed as a potential C (as i remember). it wouldn’t have been totally out of the realm of possibility.
And I’m pretty sure it went Johnson, Staal, Toews, Backs. In fact, i think we’ve debated this point before, you and I.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
Kessel had been falling for a year and it was pretty clear to most people that he’d be a W at the NHL. He was also a pure goal scorer without a well-rounded game. Caps didn’t need that at all.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
Definitely not, I just remember the appeal of the up and coming American center with potential out the ass.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
GMGM wasn’t going to be tempted by Kessel.
And thank god. Not only did we not need a winger, we didn’t need one with attitude problems – I’ve never liked that kid. Something about him makes me want to punch his little face, not sure what.
He’s also just not as purely talented as Backstrom, and as good as he’s been so far for the Leafs, I don’t see it continuing.
He also looks like an old man. A wrinkly, old man. With a big mouf.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
A wrinkly, old, neanderthal man.
Now drink with me deeply of the bourbon, scotch, and rye until such time as we are fighting drunk.
by Steckel Me Elmo on Dec 11, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
maybe I'm forcing this...but I saw this on puck daddy and thought...
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 11, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Now imagine a big fist in the middle of the picture on the left, and you’ve got it!
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions
I think both Neuvirth and Schultz deserve to be in the “best picks” conversation. They might not break the top 5, but they each deserved a mention. Schultz, in particular, has already shown himself to be a better player than Oduya, and unlike Carlson he’s demonstrated that he can play in the NHL at a high level.
The Varlamov pick is easy to gloss over, but in 2006 there were a lot of reasons you might not want to take a Russian goalie, no matter how good the scouts thought he was. That was a courageous pick.
Of course, I voted Green. How can you vote for anyone else, if Ovi and Backstrom are off the table?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
in anticipation ofthe end of the decade2010
decade /d’ekeɪd/
A decade is a period of ten years, especially one that begins with a year ending in 0, for example 1980 to 1989.
Just thought I would pass this on to all the wonderful japers here, because I was pretty happy when I realized I could stop hedging my “decade” references with semantic nonsense while staying true to my hardcore English nerd roots. A lot of sources will omit the second part of that definition, but in any case, one decade = ten years. There’s nothing credible in the world that says a decade starts with a year ending in 1.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 11, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions
Except Math...
But english majors never like that stuff anyway :P
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Nah, no math about it. The word decade means a period of ten years. 2000-2009 inclusive consists of ten years. Boom.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 11, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
Dictionary wise your right. It just gets complicated when you go BC to AD. -1 to 1.
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Good thing we’re firmly in the Common Era then, eh?
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 11, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
I wish I was firmly in the common era…stupid final exams.
The artist formerly known as thehoagster07
by what Juneau about that? on Dec 11, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions
Ha! You’re almost on break, surely… the prospect of seeing the Caps one week from today is all that’s keeping me going.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Dec 11, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Well, about 10000 more words in this paper and 4 days separate me between now and the end of finals. Glad you’ll be making the trip to Vancouver to rock the red, though!
The artist formerly known as thehoagster07
by what Juneau about that? on Dec 11, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
Welcome. Love the pun. What’s the paper on?
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
One on nationalism in the 19th century Caribbean and the other on Mesopotamia.
The artist formerly known as thehoagster07
by what Juneau about that? on Dec 11, 2009 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
I’d like to come through for you like Droz, but I can’t help you on those. Closes I got is a paper on the cultural role of marijuana in Caribbean society.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
Let’s just take a classic engineer’s kludge solution, and declare that the first decade was 9 years long.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
Chris Bourque
Can we add him as an honorable mention for best pick? Sure he didn’t work out too well in the NHL, but being the bane of all Pens fans existence has to be worth something right?
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
Just a vocal bane since he wasn’t any good at the NHL level.
But yeah, if you look at some players drafted in R2 of 2003 it’s disappointing (Patrice Bergeron, Matt Carle, Shea Weber). I know because the Pens took Ryan Stone one pick after Bourque was drafted.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
2004, my friend :-). Just one year off, today.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
I’m bad at draft years today. Good catch, but you know the spirit of the comment.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
Bah — did the Caps’ scouts get anything right the year Bourque was drafted?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Thank God you were wrong. Once you threw Shea Weber up there I almost smashed something.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
The only way he’s a valuable pick is if J.P. got paid per comment we expended on him. If anything he’s on the other list.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
The worst Caps Draft class over the last Decade
2003
2003 Entry 18 1 Eric Fehr R Brandon Wheat Kings [WHL] 109 15 19 34 38
2003 Entry 83 3 Stephen Werner R UMass-Amherst [NCAA]
2003 Entry 109 4 Andreas Valdix L Malmo IF [SEL]
2003 Entry 155 5 Josh Robertson F Proctor Academy [N.H.]
2003 Entry 249 8 Andrew Joudrey C Notre Dame Hounds [SJHL]
2003 Entry 279 9 Mark Olafson R Kelowna Rockets [WHL]
Or
2005
2005 Entry 14 1 Sasha Pokulok D Cornell University [NCAA]
2005 Entry 27 1 Joe Finley D Sioux Falls Stampede [USHL]
2005 Entry 109 4 Andrew Thomas D U. of Denver [NCAA]
2005 Entry 118 4 Patrick McNeill D Saginaw Spirit [OHL]
2005 Entry 143 5 Daren Machesney G Brampton Battalion [OHL]
2005 Entry 181 6 Tim Kennedy L Sioux City Musketeers [USHL] 1 0 0 0 0
2005 Entry 209 7 Viktor Dovgan D CSKA Jr. (Russia)
05 easily. At least 03 yielded a guy who has been productive at the NHL level
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Dec 11, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
Beat me to it.
The artist formerly known as thehoagster07
by what Juneau about that? on Dec 11, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
Bingo. 1 NHLer > ) NHLers. Especially given that the zero NHLers draft was one where the team held two first round picks.
by David M. Getz on Dec 11, 2009 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
Hey, Tim Kennedy is in the NHL!
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Dec 11, 2009 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Definitely 2005…at least Fehr plays in the NHL.
The artist formerly known as thehoagster07
by what Juneau about that? on Dec 11, 2009 4:04 PM EST up reply actions
not only Fehr, it looked like Joudrey initially was going to get a shot.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
Granted, we’re such a good team now that I don’t really care anymore, but we should have AT LEAST gotten Bobby Ryan. I still don’t know how the NHL pulled off that shit. Didn’t they have to get approval from all the owners, first? That was a travesty of a lottery.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
I just mean that we were so bad we should have had a top 3 pick, with Pitt and CHI with the other two. How in the hell it’s fair for a shitty team like the ‘03-’04 Capitals to pick 14th is beyond me.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
2005 was so bad, Jay Leno had something funny to say about it.
by DrinkingPartner on Dec 11, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
05 easy. Zero NHL players < 1 NHL player, even if that one is a disappointment relative to his class.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
Best all time Caps draft pick?
My vote goes to Bondra-156th overall in 1990 (8th round).
The artist formerly known as thehoagster07
by what Juneau about that? on Dec 11, 2009 4:04 PM EST reply actions
Bobby Carpenter. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 11, 2009 5:10 PM EST up reply actions
That’s such a dominant choice that the more interesting question is probably, who was the second best Caps pick?
by David M. Getz on Dec 11, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions
Wanna know something?
The Stars passed on Mike Green and drafted Mark Fistric instead. I heart Fishsticks, but I’d rather have Mike Green.
Be thankful for that!
Dallas Stars 4 Life: Stars Blogging From Hockeyville, Iowa
by Brad_Richards_Rocks on Dec 11, 2009 6:21 PM EST reply actions
You gay fish
And yeah, we’re thankful. I’m pretty sure someone above mentioned that. Also, if the Caps had known what they had in Green they would have taken him with Schultz’s pick and then taken Schultz later. But GMGM is a size queen.
You're the reason that I hate Nova Scotia.
by Fehr and Balanced on Dec 11, 2009 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
if there is but one draft pick in Ken Holland’s long career that he regrets giving up, I’m thinking it’s that first rounder in 2004.
I wonder what the scouting report was on him.
Great skater who could quarterback a PP, someone told me. Nice open-ice hitter as well. His stock probably fell because he, along with his team in the WHL, had a not-so-great season (Saskatoon didn’t even win 10 games). Lucky for us and GMGM and Ted and the Caps organization.
by red army line on Dec 12, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
his team in the WHL, had a not-so-great season
This is a massive understatement. Green was a very good player on an incredibly bad team, and I think it was very hard for scouts to assess his talent level because he had nobody to play with.
Worked out pretty well for us…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Dec 12, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
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