What To Do With The New-Found Cap Space...
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 11:53 AM EST
186 comments
As you're well aware by now, Chris Clark will have surgery on his injured right wrist and may miss the rest of the season, an announcement that sparked a significant amount of discussion among visitors here at The Rink. For Clark, the injury is another setback in his efforts to return to being the player he was two seasons ago. For the Capitals and their fans, the injury may be a blessing in a not-so-subtle disguise: Clark's placement on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) opens up an additional $2,633,333 in cap space and, consequently, a whole new range of possibilities in terms of personnel moves as the trade deadline approaches. [Ed. note: by my math, the current Caps roster of 22 players is around $3.2 $2.4 million under the cap; down from $4 $3.3 million before accounting for recently recalled Michal Neuvirth.]
Before starting any discussion it should be noted that the biggest question here is what to do with Karl Alzner. The rookie defenseman has shown that he's capable of playing regular NHL minutes, and the Capitals have shown they're willing to give them to him. However, with Tom Poti back in the lineup and the team's other defensemen playing well, it's not as obvious as it once was that keeping King Karl in Washington should be the team's top priority.
What we've done here at Japers' Rink is constructed five scenarios that we could see playing out in the next several weeks. Obviously they're not set in stone and each of the scenarios could play out slightly differently, but the scenarios are designed to be starting points for discussion. With that in mind, feel free to chime in: What are the Capitals most pressing needs? How should they fill them? Are there any players who have more value as trade bait than as members of the Capitals organization? By the same token, are there players who would provide an especially big boost by fitting in well with the current team or by filling an especially pressing hole? And, most importantly, what course of action gives the team the best chance at the Stanley Cup, not only this season but down the road as well?
Scenario #1 - Do nothing.
Transactions: None.
Pros: For the NHL club, no transactions means no opportunity to damage the team's chemistry, which seems to be strong. Alzner would probably get more ice time in Hershey than in Washington. The biggest positive in this scenario is that the team would be able to accommodate Brian Pothier's return to the lineup, should he become healthy enough to play without having to make any roster moves.
Cons: $4 million in cap space is an awful lot of cap space to sit unused for a team that expects to make a deep playoff run. Alzner might play more in Hershey, but at this point he's probably better off playing 19 minutes a night in the NHL than 25 minutes a night in the AHL.
Scenario #2 - Add a scoring wing.
Transactions: The Capitals trade for an offensively talented winger to add offensive depth.
Pros: You can never have too more scoring depth in the playoffs and given Michael Nylander's season-long struggles, Brooks Laich's inconsistency, Alexander Semin's lack of durability, and Viktor Kozlov's playoff stat line (zero goals, six assists in 23 games), the team might find itself regretting not taking the opportunity to add more offense.
Cons: As it is, the Caps are fifth in the league in both goals per game and powerplay conversion rate, so upgrading the offensive might not be the best use of resources. It seems like every playoff contender is looking for secondary scoring as the deadline approaches so the asking price for any player of value is likely to be high. Eric Fehr still has a significant amount of offensive upside and has been waiting for an extended chance to show what he can do and Chris Bourque looks to be NHL-ready.
Potential Targets: Nik Antropov (28, Center/Right Wing/Left Wing, Toronto, $2.05 million through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Jussi Jokinen (25, Left Wing, Tampa Bay, $1.81 million through 2008-09, RFA thereafter); Mark Recchi (41, Right Wing, Tampa Bay, $1.5 million through 2008-09, UFA thereafter).
Scenario #3 - Add a depth forward
Transactions: The Capitals trade for a gritty, third-or-fourth line player.
Pros: The Capitals don't have a lot of grit and attitude at the forward position beyond Donald Brashear and Matt Bradley. Depth forwards are generally inexpensive both in terms of salary and trades and thus acquiring such a player might allow the Capitals to fill a hole and keep Karl Alzner in the NHL.
Cons: Eric Fehr and Chris Bourque are both still buried on the depth chart in this situation. With as much scoring talent as the Caps have it may be difficult to find space for a grinder or agitator.
Potential Targets: Adam Hall (28, Right Wing, Tampa Bay, $600,000 through 2010-11, UFA thereafter); Ian Laperriere (35, Right Wing, Colorado, $1.15 million through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Dominic Moore (28, Center, Toronto, $900,000 through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Jed Ortmeyer (30, Right Wing, Nashville, $750,000 through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Samuel Pahlsson (31, Center, Anaheim, $1.4 million through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Richard Park (32, Right Wing, New York Islanders, $750,000 through 2009-10, UFA thereafter); Jon Sim (31, Left Wing/Right Wing, New York Islanders, $1 million through 2009-10, UFA thereafter).
Scenario #4 - Add a defenseman without changing the current roster.
Transactions: The Capitals trade for a depth defenseman to shore up their blueline depth going into the playoff run and postseason.
Pros: Boosting depth at defense is always a plus, especially the grind of the playoffs. As admirably as Tyler Sloan, Sean Collins, and Bryan Helmer filled in, the Caps are going to be in trouble if they have to ask those guys to play 15 minutes a night in the postseason.
Cons: With Alzner included, the Capitals already have seven NHL caliber defenseman and adding another might just create a logjam. As with scoring depth, it seems like everyone is looking for depth defensemen in January and February so the asking price may be higher than what's worth it for the Capitals.
Potential Targets: Greg de Vries (36, Nashville, $2.5 million through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Bret Hedican (38, Anaheim, $870,500 through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Jordan Leopold (28, Colorado, $1.5 million through 2008-90, UFA thereafter); Marek Malik (33, Tampa Bay, $1.25 million through 2008-09, UFA thereafter) Jason Smith (35, Ottawa, $2.5 million through 2009-10, UFA thereafter); Anton Volchenkov (26, Ottawa, $2.5 million through 2009-10, UFA thereafter).
Scenario #5 - Upgrade the defense, moving a current player and acquiring a better one.
Transactions: The Capitals would first trade away Shaone Morrisonn and then make another trade for a defenseman to retain depth at the position and increase the overall talent level on the blueline.
Pros: The combination of taking Clark's $2.63 million and Morrisonn's $1.975 million salary off the books would give the Capitals $4.605 million in space to work with, and a total of $6.05 million. Recalling Alzner would take $1.675 million of that away, but the team would have $4.38 million left to work with - more than enough to land a quality defenseman.
Cons: As with any move that involves taking a player off the current roster, chemistry is a concern.
Potential Targets: Greg de Vries (36, Nashville, $2.5 million through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Jordan Leopold (28, Colorado, $1.5 million through 2008-90, UFA thereafter); Niclas Havelid (35, Atlanta, $2.7 million through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Bret Hedican (38, Anaheim, $870,500 through 2008-09, UFA thereafter); Tomas Kaberle (30, Toronto, $4.25 million through 2010-11, UFA thereafter); Jay McKee (31, St. Louis, $4 million through 2009-10, UFA thereafter); Chris Phillips (30, Ottawa, $3.5 million through 2010-11, UFA thereafter) Jason Smith (35, Ottawa, $2.5 million through 2009-10, UFA thereafter); Mike Van Ryn (29, Toronto, $2.9 million through 2009-10, UFA thereafter); Brendan Witt (33, New York Islanders, 2.77 million through 2008-09, $3 million from 2009-10 until 2010-11, UFA thereafter); Anton Volchenkov (26, Ottawa, $2.5 million through 2009-10, UFA thereafter).
So what do you think? Should the Caps sit tight or make a splash, however small?
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Personally, I’d advocate the team adopting Scenario 5 – recall Alzner, move Morrisonn, and try to pick up a guy like Smith, Volchenkov, McKee, Havelid, or de Vries.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 12:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think today’s transaction shows that it’s important to have some space to play with. Say, for example, that Clark wasn’t on LTIR, but just a regular injury. Then Johnny got nicked. They’d be around $600k under – not even enough room to recall Sean Collins if a D got banged up.
Scenarios 1 and 5 are the safe, conservative answers, and right now seem the most prudent. But talk to me again in a month…
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Komisarek becomes an option for a veteran D if MTL can’t handle losing Lang and falls out of playoff contention.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Since you wrote this (presumably) the BJ1 injury bug has again reared its head. I wonder if a backup G might be a possibility. If I’m WSH I’d rather have a veteran playoff backup than Varly/Neuy. (Uh, that guy needs a nickname.)
Of course, if you have to go to your backup in the playoffs for more than one game or so, you’re in trouble. But still.
The OTT guys have been notably unimpressive. de Vries… slow and old? A big upgrade over Erskine? McKee is interesting. Derek Morris too.
by TylerG on Feb 3, 2009 12:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Gotta agree that OTT’s Dmen don’t impress me. Kaberle is out with a broken hand, plus we can’t afford that cap hit if we intend to sign both Semin and Backstrom next year, plus we don’t need another puck-mover.
I have to wonder about Komisarek (MTL). They’re about to run into the salary cap again plus with Lang out may be looking for offense at the trade deadline. Offense is one thing we’ve got on offer.
For that reason, I don’t think we go offense – we’ve got plenty in the pipeline. I don’t think bringing up Bourque is the answer, though – he belongs as a top-six given his size, and we’re full up there.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cole?
The Caps just lost a tough, hard-nosed winger in Clark. Why not replace him with the same thing in Eric Cole? The plusses are obvious:
1. His stint in Edmonton has been a disappointment so I think he’d be available for a relatively cheap price. Since he’s a pending UFA, the pro-rated cap hit is only about $1.4 million for this season and nothing after that and that would still leave room to go out and get another pending UFA defenseman. And because he is playing for a contract, he’ll have a lot to prove in the playoffs.
2. He’s the prototype Eastern conference player- a guy who can dig in the corners and has speed coming off the wing. And although he hasn’t shown it with Edmonton, her can be a dangerous scorer in the right situation.
3. He knows the teams in the East and how to play them. And it’s obvious the East is where he’s most comfortable.
4. Maybe most important, he’s a proven playoff performer who has won a Cup.
by b.orr4 on Feb 3, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Cole is a $4m/year guy, so if the Caps didn’t move some salary off the current roster, they couldn’t afford him (that $4m/$3.2m in the Ed. Note is annual salary) – it’s dangerous to play it super close to the cap, as noted above.
That said, I like Cole a lot, but don’t think he’s the same Erik Cole that he was before all the injuries.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 12:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
His salary would be prorated. He makes $4 million or $48, 780 per game. If you got him for the remaining 25 games of the season he only cost about $1.2 million against the cap. Remember, he’s a UFA next season, so it’s only what he makes this season that counts. By my count, with Clark down, the Caps probably have about $3 million to play with so even with Cole, they’d still have enough room to get an affordable d-man. Remember, there is no salary cap once the playoffs start, so Alzner can come up no matter where the team is cap-wise and if a miracle occurs and both Pothier and Clark get healthy, they could play too,
by b.orr4 on Feb 3, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It would be pro-rated but the Capitals don’t have literally $4M in cap space, they have more like “the daily equivalent of having $4M dollars in cap space over the course of the season” or $21,391 per day.
I considered adding that in the post but I think it would have taken another 500 words to explain how the cap worked and how, for the sake of simplicity, we were using the annual numbers given that with the Capitals right now the inability to bank anything due to LTIR exemptions the annual and equivalent per day numbers line up perfectly.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just so i can wrap my head around this, when you say $21,391 a day are you actually talking about the 82 days out of the year the Caps play a game or do you actually mean a calendar day (out of 365 days).
by b.orr4 on Feb 3, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s actually calculated on a 186-day regular season.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Calender days. Someone (I don’t recall who, unfortunately) mentioned on the site that the cap is computed daily out of 186 calender days that the NHL is in its regular season.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's SIMPLE!!!
And so intuitive. Whats your problem? :)
by Sct112 on Feb 3, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s not how it works. The Caps are over the cap due to their LTIR guys. They bank nothing for how far under they are. Each and every day during the season the team has to have annualized salary commitments under the $56.7 million cap.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The NHL Salary Cap
So easy….
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Feb 3, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I see Edmonton making a run for the playoffs as (1) an act of good faith to the fans and (2) a boost to Kevin Lowe’s stock. Unless they crash and burn in the next few weeks, I don’t think they’ll be selling.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t see Kevin Lowe and GMGM playing phone-footsie anytime soon either.
by TylerG on Feb 3, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nyls
You guys don’t see the Oil letting bygones be bygones and openly welcoming Mrs. Nyls and company to the great white north?
I think that so much is going to change over the next few weeks it is tough to speculate. Having to rely on any rookie d-man late into the playoffs is a major concern for me, even the chosen one, King Karl.
In option 5, who is going to be a buyer for Mo?
by Sct112 on Feb 3, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t have any doubt there would be teams looking for a stay-at-home depth defenseman at the deadline – there always are. Off the top of my head (and without regards to cap concerns) I’d say Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Anaheim, and Phoenix may have interest.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve got to think with the moves Columbus has made in the last season/offseason, they want into the playoffs at all costs. I don’t think they’re about to move a D-man for anything.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think so either, but for that same reason I think they’d be interested in acquiring Morrisonn. I don’t expect Morrisonn to be dealt to the same team his upgrade come from. I think it’d be more along the lines of Morrisonn gets traded to Columbus for a pick/prospect and then the Capitals use the space to pick up Smith, Volchenkov, Havelid, McKee, etc.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I get it now. Still, you think that Morrisonn is an improvement on their corps of Commodore, Backman, Hejda, Klesla, Methot, Tyutin, Tollefson, and Russell? I’d take any of them straight up for Mo and call it a fleece.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe not Tollefson.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Commodore, Hejda, Klesla, and Tyutin would rate ahead of Morrisonn. The others I’m not so sure about. I’d definitely have Mo ahead of Russell and Backman. But then, I’ve only seen Columbus play a couple of time and defensemen can be difficult to judge on stats alone.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think they’ve got a damn good d-man set up. Their problem comes from a lack of secondary scoring. I think they’re more inclined to want a scorer at the deadline than another D-man. Maybe we can oblige with Aucoin (Not starting this debate again, but I don’t want to really look at our forward scoring prospects at length right now).
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think you’re probably right: Columbus has bigger fish to fry than adding another defenseman.
At the same, it’s possible that they could move one or two of the guys they have now for some scoring depth and also acquire Morrisonn.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True story. Anything could happen.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Russell’s small and offensive-minded (read: Lepist-ish). Backman’s decent, but nothing to fawn over.
Hejda and Commodore are solid. Klesla’s frail. Tyutin’s nice, but not a big upgrade on Mo.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great research DMG. I’d be inclined to pursue both #2 and #3, which could be doable with Clark’s $2.6 cap hit to work with. #2 is most important, in my ever-so-humble opinion.
Someone’s going to get hurt (we’ve seen it so many times already) and I don’t want to give up defensive depth, even with Alzner on the roster in DC. We’re in it to win it, as they say, and that might take up to 25 games or so of punishing playoff hockey, and maybe up to 10 defensemen. I don’t want to somehow go into round two with Sloan and Collins because guys are already banged up and they are the next best options.
As for a gritty depth forward, I’d like to see someone skate a few shifts with Semin and keep playoff opponents honest. I like D. Moore of those you mentioned. Wins draws too.
by theredskate on Feb 3, 2009 12:17 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I meant #3 and #4, adding a depth D and W, not a scoring wing. Whoops.
Guess I’m delirious from excitement over heading out to see the Caps in Newark tonight, amidst quite an impressive urban snowstorm.
by theredskate on Feb 3, 2009 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Delirious from excitement over going to Newark? That’s a true fan.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I added a poll, so get out the vote, yo.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 12:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
#5
Pronger might be on that list too. Again, who we go for is going to depend on who’s selling, and we’ll know closer to the deadline who will sell and who won’t. I’ll be surprised if MTL sells, but ANA might. Of course, Pronger’s a bit rich for my blood.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pronger’s cap hit is $6.25 million so unless someone with a sizeable contract (Kozlov, Nylander, Semin, etc) is moved, the team can’t afford him.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
#5
Recall Alzner, trade for a playoff-run defenseman and rotate Mo/Shultz/Erskine as needed.
by Rompy on Feb 3, 2009 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
1) With all D-men healthy, and Alzner set to be on the team come playoff time, don’t see a huge need to make a big trade for a defensemen at this time.
2) However, with the playoffs in mind adding a gritty/hard nosed forward (preparing for the Flyers-?) How about Chris Neil? He’d be a playoff rental. (An UFA after this season) Makes relatively little and could probably be picked up for a 3rd round pick/mid level prospect.
by Fauxrumors on Feb 3, 2009 12:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Plus he has two goals and six points in 41 games this season.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, fuck Chris Neil.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A little math
I think the first step is to look at the team’s depth, by role:
Skilled wings: 4
(Ovechkin, Semin, Fleischmann, Kozlov)
Power wings: 2
(Laich, Fehr)
Checking wings: 2
(Bradley, Brashear)
Skilled centers: 3
(Backstrom, Nylander, Fedorov)
Checking centers: 2
(Steckel, Gordon)
Puck-moving defensemen: 2
(Green, Poti)
Stay-at-home defensemen: 5
(Schultz, Jurcina, Morrisonn, Erskine, Alzner)
To my eye, the “Power forwards” look a little light, both in number and by weight class. Nothing against either of those guys, and Brooks Laich definitely belongs on the playoff roster somewhere, but it’d be nice to have someone who can park in front of the net and score the garbage goals. (I feel like I’ve heard this song before around here) Going back to the original post, Antropov, Jokinen and Recchi don’t really do it for me, and great power forwards are very hard to acquire. Might be best off living with what we’ve got.
The other position where there is a lot of good depth but no true standouts is defensive defenseman. (This song sounds familiar too) So the move-Morrisonn-for-someone-better plan seems like it’s probably the most realistic. But this team is already in good shape and shouldn’t make a move just to make it.
by Gould Old Days on Feb 3, 2009 12:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Doesn’t Ovechkin fall into Skilled and Power wings?
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He falls into his own category: Red Jesus Wings
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d disagree, if only because Jesus…wait, I can’t make that kind of joke here. Damn it, it’s hard to be a Jew on the internets.
Ok, that applies.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d answer this way — do you think Ovechkin would be more effective with a right wing who sticks his ample behind in the goalie’s face to create screens and pick up garbage goals, or do you think Ovechkin would be more effective with a wheeling, dealing, pass-happy, shoot-from-the-slot, curl-and-drag type winger?
By role I think Ovechkin is a skill wing. By talent, he’s freaking amazing.
by Gould Old Days on Feb 3, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
do you think Ovechkin would be more effective with a right wing who sticks his ample behind in the goalie’s face to create screens and pick up garbage goals, or do you think Ovechkin would be more effective with a wheeling, dealing, pass-happy, shoot-from-the-slot, curl-and-drag type winger?
I think he needs a guy who can do both (which is why I think Erik Cole would be a great fit, but that’s another discussion). He needs a guy who can skate well enough to keep up with him and a guy who can handle the puck and pass it well enough to get it to him. But it’d probably also help an awful lot to have a guy who can crash the net.
If all the stars align, maybe Osala one day?
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kozlov could be that guy, if he’d just pay the price a little more often…
by Gould Old Days on Feb 3, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Kozzie was going to be that guy, he’d be that guy right now. As much as we both would like that, I doubt he’s going to “develop” any further than what he is.
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Feb 3, 2009 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s safe to say at this point that Kozlov is who we think he is. He’s not going to find that physical edge to his game that has been lacking his entire career.
That said, I still think he’s an effective and valuable player.
by grapejoos on Feb 3, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Concur with your last sentence. Value in terms of his production and what his salary is. He can be dominant with the puck when he wants to. Although he seems to disappear for small stretches of games, I’m in the camp that hopes he resigns with the Caps for a 1-2 year deal at similar terms to what he’s paid now
by Cluster on Feb 3, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it gets a little dangerous to classify players like that. For example, Ovechkin clearly has a ton of skill but I also think he fits into the “power wings” category. Alzner’s been great in his own end this year and is playing conservatively but I think he moves the puck well. Fedorov has a ton of natural offensive talent but he’s also a two-time Selke winner, so I think he can play the checking center role as well. Etc, etc.
I do agree that a big forward who can also score is both rare and especially valuable come playoff time. I’d like to see the team give Fehr a chance at that role for the next couple weeks at least.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But this team is already in good shape and shouldn’t make a move just to make it.
No argument here. :) Since playoff games usually wind up being tighter-checking, lower-scoring affairs, I think it makes more sense to bring in defensive minded players. Which is different than what I would have said a few weeks ago, but hey.
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Feb 3, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
#2 first, then #5...too much?
with Clark’s injury and Fehr not-quite-there, I think a RW with big playoff balls becomes the biggest priority, and probably the hardest to fill. I’d take Bill Guerin off the Isles’ hands if the numbers could fall into place, but I’d also love to have someone younger like NSH’s Jordan Tootoo.
to address #5, I’d move Juice and one of Bourque, A. Gordon, or a prosepct goalie not named Varlamov for a solid, S@H dman who can stick with us next year. I’d love Volchenkov right there, and OTT needs a future G…
excellent thread again, DMG
by bigonetimer on Feb 3, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I dunno about Varly yet. He tends to seem to get injured a few too many times. Hopefully, that’s not a concern in next years. Neuwirth isn’t bad, he’s just not as “hot when he’s hot” as Varlamov. We’ll see how it goes.
I also love how Neuwirth is pronounced. Not that that has anything at all to do with it.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, I was just thinking the same thing: not all of these scenarios are mutually exclusive. It would be possible to do #3 and #4 within the cap.
Which is what I would suggest.
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Feb 3, 2009 12:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Coach Bruce Boudreau would not divulge the Caps’ line combinations for tonight’s game against the Devils — other than to say they will be different than Sunday’s. But he did confirm that veteran Matt Bradley will be a healthy scratch, and based on the skate, Jose Theodore will get the start.
We were talking about Brads taking a scratch to get Gordon and Stecks into the line up. It happened.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Oh, that’s from Tarik.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Breaking: we’re smart
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
S – M – R – T.
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Feb 3, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe someone forwarded Bruce the blog.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Getting Antropov is just like getting another Kozlov, big skilled, inconsistent, no history of playoff success. I’m sure Burke would love to move him. I like Volchenkov but I think he would cost a lot, same with Phillips. OTT is not in a true rebuild so they won’t sell those guys because they need them to build their blue line around. With Spezza/Alfie/Heatley on expensive long term deals they aren’t going to be able to blow the thing up and rebuild. I’m not sure what they think about their future goal tending needs the way Elliot has been playing. That said here is my suggestion:
Pick up Laperriere from the Avs. Gritty, experienced, plays in all situations for them (but we hopefully won’t need him to play PP for us). Also, pick up Hamhuis from Nashville. We can send Shamo back that way so they can round out an NHL caliber blue line and they won’t have to commit long term for him because he is a one year deal, but they don’t lose all value because he is RFA, that gives them options. Hamhuis has one year left @ 2.5 which we should be able to fit and he comes off the books when we need to resign Backstrom and Semin. Neither of those players will cost too much and both would be very helpful additions for the playoffs.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 1:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Disagree on Kozlov. He always plays his game. Agree on Antropov.
I don’t think the “Russian Stigma” of not caring about winning a stanley cup exists as much as people claim to think it was (Not that you’re being influenced by that, just that a lot of people still are.) I’m just of the opinion that Koz is a hell of a player, and there’s playoff time for him to shine.
Agreed on Hamhuis. I’d love to see that bastard in a Caps sweater.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My feeling has nothing to do with Antropov being Russian. As far as I am concerned that is just a dumb stereotype. See: Konstantinov, Fetisov, Federov, Ovechkin, etc. Has anyone else watched Kozlov and wondered why he doesn’t dominate? With his hands and size he should be able to dominate play down low but we only ever see flashes of that. That’s the exact same way I feel about Antropov. Kozlov has been on some good playoff teams and his numbers have been underwhelming. I’m not saying we should move him, I’m just saying we don’t need to devote another roster spot for a carbon copy. Hamhuis/Laperriere satisfies the 3/5 scenarios. That allows us to dress a very deep, skilled, tough group of forwards and then Green/Hamhuis/Poti/Alzner/Schultz/Juice as the top 6 D with Erskine and the Hershey boys for depth and Pothier lurking in the background. Remember, no cap in the playoffs so we can let Pothier get healthy until the very end of the season (knock the rust off for 10 or so games) and let Alzner play in Hershey until the end.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Again, wasn’t saying you were following the stereotype. I’m just saying, Kozlov’s playstyle works fine, and isn’t dominating. I agree on not getting Ants and getting Hamhuis, I just don’t think Laperriere would be the optimal addition.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What I’d like to see is the Caps now bring up Alzner and pair him with Poti, and let the two eat up the 5 on 5 minutes so Green can play the power play for 1:40 out of 2:00.
That may happen next year.
As for going with Steckel and Gordon tonight, that’s strictly for Elias and his ability to win draws. Either Steckel or Gordon can step in and be aggressive in the circle, since if one of them gets tossed, there is the other waiting to take the draw…
by MikeL-Caps on Feb 3, 2009 1:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
In my dream world, the Caps move Nylander, Mo and something for Pronger and Brendan Morrison.
But in my dream world, I spend a lot more time with Marissa Miller and Megan Fox (often the same time), and much less time blogging.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 1:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
sings “to dreeeeeeeeam the impossible dreeeeeeam…”
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Feb 3, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
“to fiiiiiiiiight…..”
God damn it, I hate myself.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually had a video in my head for a while that went to this song and was the story of the ‘08/’09 season. Could actually still be doable.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Spoiler Alert
Don Quixote loses in the end though. I’d like to think we have better odds.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure we do. SJS, though, might be a question mark, and I’m not guaranteeing that DET will survive the Western Conference final this year.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pronger is a dream, I’m not so hot on Morrison though. What do we give up for Pronger in this dream? How much is too much?
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Morrison is thrown in there b/c once Nyls is gone, the Caps need a third-line center with some offensive skill (sorry, Boyd/Stecks).
And in this dream, Nyls, Mo and either a pick or Neuvirth gets it done.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’d be an easy deal if both teams weren’t hard pressed against the cap. I like that dream.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Would you give up Semin for Pronger?
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would, if we could re-sign Pronger. He’s 34, and has a few more years in him.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Imagine that in Red White and Blue.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
When did Morrissey win the Stanley Cup?
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Feb 3, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Per the CBA you cannot negotiate an extension with Pronger until July 1 so we are doing this deal on faith and the one more year he is under contract.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s got a year left? I’d take it. Re-sign or not. He’d be trade bait next year if he doesn’t re-sign.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pronger and Green in a pairing might actually make me openly weep.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That might be funny. Or sick. Or both.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m pretty sure teams would be terrified of that pairing.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Believe it.
I don’t doubt that for a minute.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Right now, I don’t know becuase I don’t know what that might do to the team’s chemistry.
But I think Pronger at 6.25M is more valuable than Semin at 4.6M, so I’d be happy with that trade.
Green-Pronger
Alzner-Poti
as a top four. Be still, my heart.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly, if it would work cap-wise, any combination of picks and prospects other than Varlamov, Carlson, and Alzner, would be good enough for me.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, but I just don’t see how Anaheim moves Pronger without taking Carlson. Maybe Neuwirth does it and he would be easier to part with than Carlson. According to HockeysFuture ANA is deeper with defensive prospects than Goalies, so maybe they would take Neuwirth. If that’s the case I am all on board.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brendan Morrison isn’t earning a sweater in ANA — he was a healthy scratch last night. So… no to him.
by TylerG on Feb 3, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Would you cry for Pronger and Sutherby? :x
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sutherby plays for Dallas.
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Feb 3, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
But I’d take their ‘old’ Brendan Morrison: Andy McDonald as a UFA at $2.5M next year.
by TylerG on Feb 3, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Carrie M. disagrees with your dream, and demands an explanation
by bigonetimer on Feb 3, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
One, Pothier should not be factored in
Its great to see him making a full “quality-of-life” recovery but I’d think the odds are against him getting medically cleared for full-contact NHL Hockey and virtually impossible for him to be in game shape before someone is hoisting Lord Stanley’s Cup.
If he does come back, we will all celebrate and demand a Hallmark Movie of the Week documentary, but for day-to-day scenarios, there is no reason to bring him up.
Two, How long do we have to hold a torch for Eric Fehr’s explosive offense ability? I’ve seen a Chupacabra more times then I’ve seen Fehr show top-line wing ability. Maybe that back injury took something out of his game permanently. Maybe he was over hyped. I don’t know. But someone let me know what the next stop is on the Fehr Bandwagon because I think I’m ready to get off.
Three, I don’t see how you justify going out to grab a D-Man with Karl in Hershey. Put the guy in the line up if you have to shitcan ShaMo to do it. The only way I think another person comes in a head of him is if we’re going out to find a bruiser/fighter that will come in to start laying some wood. That’s not Alzner’s gig but with Erskine healthy, I think Bruce would rather leave that to him on the Blue Line and Brashear/Bradley up front.
Four… Jussi Jokinen? Didn’t that guy just sail untouched through waivers?
by Wisper on Feb 3, 2009 1:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I say holding out on Fehr’s offensive ability is worth it until he sees regular playing time. He scored big in the WHL and the AHL and I don’t want to write him off when he’s only playing once a week, for ten minutes a game, with fourth line players.
I think it’s easy to justify getting another defenseman, especially if Morrisonn is moved, under the logic that it would make the team better.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Boudreau gave Tarik a quote on Fehr.
“There’s a chance he’s not going to be in every night; we still have 13 forwards,” Boudreau said. “But you give guys chances and it’s up to them to seize the moment, take it and run with it. And not be known as a guy who is a good player and who has potential. I hope he seizes the moment and proves, like Tomas Fleischmann did, that he’s a solid NHL player.”
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fleischmann, 2007-08: .40 points per game getting 12:37 per game, 1:39 of PP time per game. Productivity of 31:33.
Fehr, 2008-09: .37 points per game getting 10:59 ice time per game, 0:58 of PP time per game. Productivity of 29:57.
Fehr’s putting comparable numbers in less playing time with weaker linemates than Fleischmann did last year. The only difference I see between last year’s Fleischmann and this year’s Fehr is that Boudreau was so infatuated with last year’s Fleischmann that he would play him in the top six most of the time no matter what.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
In fairness, Flash plays a top-six style. Fehr could play on a 3rd line and be successful. I don’t think Flash can.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can see that. I just tend to back Fehr because his play and the way the fan base is responding reminds me a lot of Fleischmann from last season. The only difference I see (in broad terms) is the difference in support from Boudreau which perturbs me a little because, as great as he is, I think Gabby sometimes plays favorites.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually see it as the opposite. I was a huge supporter of Flash last year, and giving him time, and have been a Fehr detractor. I think Fehr could be a good third line RW, I just don’t see him as the top 6 right wing the team is missing.
And, yes. Gabby does play favorites. Every coach does.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fehr looked pretty good on the BFF line the other day v. DET and then looked good against OTT also but I forget who his linemates were. My concern with Fehr is that he is actually getting chances and not finishing; Flash wasn’t strong enough to get chances, now he is. I’m still not ready to bail on Fehr though, he looks like he’s close to breaking through. I hope he gets the consistent ice to prove that he can do it, but I doubt that we can afford to give that ice to him down the stretch this year or in the playoffs. I want a good long look at him next season though.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fehr’s linemates for those two games were Flash and Backstrom.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i’d like to see this line stick for a while…
by ns on Feb 3, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Oh hells yes. This line was AWESOME.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My concern with Fehr is that he is actually getting chances and not finishing; Flash wasn’t strong enough to get chances, now he is.
Excellent point.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To take it one step further...
Fehr had two great chances against the Wings on Saturday. On the first one he came down the right wings one-on-one with the d, and he fired a weak wrist shot from the top of the circle. Easy save.
The second one came a few moments later where he was fed a beatiful drop pass about 15 feet from the goalie right below the face-off dot. He fired an aimless slap shot into Conklin’s pads.
The guy should have fired the slap shot the first time and the wrister the second time.
My hunch tells me that, even though he has good positioning and a good nose for the puck, he doesn’t possess the hands to finish like a top 6 forward. His shot isn’t that great, and it’s not like he’s a speed demon who can create his own chances.
by topshelf_22304 on Feb 3, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“The BFF line” = undeniably brilliant
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
(more like the “IDK my BFF Jill” line!)
I have as many wins in a Capitals uniform as Michael Belhumeur does.
by marky narc on Feb 3, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL! Either Backstrom stays on that line or we need to acquire another center with the last name ‘B’ pronto.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Feb 3, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
First, I’m not sold on bringing Alzner up. The Capitals, unless the team plane is spirited away by aliens on its way back from a road trip, are going to be in the playoff mix. It’s getting to the time of year when they might at least peek ahead at that and start preparing for it. Given the rest of the Caps defensemen, I’m not sold on Alzner in a playoff lineup. Why?
Of the other six Caps defensemen likely to dress (absent for the moment a deal involving Morrisonn): Poti, Erskine, Green, Morrisonn, Jurcina, and Schultz…they have a combined 61 games of playoff experience. But, take away the series against the Flyers last year, and the only defenseman with any NHL playoff expericence is Poti, and he’s never been on a team that made it out of the first round.
The Caps can get to 100 points in the regular season with the lineup they have right now. I’m not comfortable this is a conference final or beyond team if they don’t make a deal to provide a little more playoff experience on the blue line.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Feb 3, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I’m just glad we can talk about this, and genuinely feel we have a chance at watching the Caps go deep into the playoffs. This is something we haven’t had in a loooooooooooong time.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 1:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yup, Its good to be buying and not selling… Its also good that we have some stuff to buy with.
by Sct112 on Feb 3, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
Also agreed that we have a lot to buy with. How we handled the injuries this year alone proves that our system is deep enough to get the interest of a lot of teams looking to get young and rebuild.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Prime Directive
Above all, I don’t think this team should make any huge, dramatic moves if it will damage the future. The talk of Pronger scares me — I don’t think he’s the same player he was, and the cost will be enormous.
The Pens sold their future for three months of Marian Hossa. It’s true that injuries/goalie woes may have more to do with their drop-off than that trade, but the bottom line is that their cupboard is bare. The Caps have a fair amount of talent on the way, but it wouldn’t take many deals to strip their system.
There’s no need to put “all in” right now. And “all in” is a desperate, and usually losing strategy. A cup in 2009 would be amazing. But multiple cups over the remaining years of Ovechkin’s contract would be even better. And I’m not convinced that the Caps with Pronger are better built than Detroit or San Jose or Boston come spring.
by Gould Old Days on Feb 3, 2009 1:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There’s a difference between selling the farm (Pens trading for Hossa), and us getting rid of two pieces that don’t fit as well anymore (Nyls+Mo, imo, as much as I love Nyls). It’s not an All-in move as far as I can see.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
do we really want to move Nyles??
We don’t have much behind him on the depth chart when it comes to skilled playmaking centers. Feds might be gone next year and the UFA’s at the center position aren’t that impressive. i don’t think we should sell unless the deal is ridonculous
by ns on Feb 3, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think moving Nyls for Pronger is a “sell”. Regardless, in the offseason, there’s going to be centers available. I’m of the opinion if Nyls and Feds aren’t here, our future second line center may be Tim Connolly or someone of that sort. I don’t think our long-term second line center is in the organization yet, and if he is and his name is Anton, he’s got several years to get here.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Easily an option.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
his style would fit well with the Caps, if he’s healthy. would love to have him if thats the case.
by ns on Feb 3, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
not sold on Anton, kid sounds like Mr. Glass.
by Sombrero Guy on Feb 3, 2009 3:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m not either.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Hopeful, but not optimistic (if that makes sense).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Course it does, that’s how I feel about Fehr (And Pothier).
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m hesitating on Nyls – he’s definitely been doing better lately.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Me too, along the lines of the best deals are sometimes the ones you don’t make. Maybe not long term, but I got a feeling he’s going to be valuable in the playoffs. You can’t teach experience.
by b.orr4 on Feb 3, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
A) the penguins’ cupboard was bare before the Hossa deal. Don’t be fooled by the run to the Calder they had in Wilkes-Barre, that was a team that was mostly career AHL guys. True, we have plenty of those on Hershey but at least half of that team are legitimate NHL prospects.
B) Pronger to the Caps makes us the favorite in the East immediately. I agree that it still doesn’t guarantee anything v. DET or SJS, but what does?
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Pens’ biggest loss in that deal was Colby Armstrong. The rest was easily replaceable junk.
Not to mention that there’s a difference between 3 months of Hossa and 15 months of Pronger.
Not to mention that moving Nylander now would be a coup, almost regardless of any return, and moving Nyls and Mo has nothing to do with selling the future, really.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pronger
Is Pronger really being shopped around? especially for the likes of Nyles and Mo? Seems like a stretch to me.
by Sct112 on Feb 3, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We’ve been referring to this as a “Dream” in a previous post bracket.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Largely depends on whether Anaheim can boot JSG in the butt hard enough to stay in the playoff hunt. JSG is stinking up the building right now and Hiller is challenging him, which is why they want the goalie prospect.
Me, I’m not in favor of trading Neuvirth right now – he’s been through a lot of trades and more could hurt him, plus with Varlamov’s injury situation, I’m not comfortable going that far.
Now, in a year or two, if Braden Holtby pans out….
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
What I’ve heard is that if the Ducks fall out of the race, Pronger will probably be dealt. But it’s going to take a lot more than Nylander and Morrisonn to get him.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Do we want to strip our pipeline for him? Plus do we want another logjam on D? Alzner deserves to be in Washington, and I think Sloan and Collins are NHL-caliber D-men. Whether they play for us is another question, but I can very much see interest in both of them.
I agree that Carlson is hands-off.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree with your take on Sloan and Collins (although I think Collins could be a serviceable NHL #7 on a decent team), but I do agree that Alzner and Carlson should be hands off.
That said, if Anaheim offered me Pronger right now for Nyls, Mo, and Carlson….well, let’s just say I’m glad I’m not in charge of making such choices. If not for the Jagr fiasco, I’d be all in.
by grapejoos on Feb 3, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, this is a dream. You have not happened upon HFBoards, where the proposal would have read “Jurcina, Fehr for Pronger?”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m also inclined to think that, at least in my mind, the Pronger talk will be over with after I get it out of my system today.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Anaheim trades Pronger, it’s going to be for picks and prospects, not more long-term salary commitments for aging players. Or at least, that’s my guess. This is a pipe dream, but I do agree GMGM would have to pursue it if available.
by grapejoos on Feb 3, 2009 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If Pronger were to become a viable option I think the Capitals biggest bargaining chip would be draft picks and Michal Neuvirth. Good goaltending prospects are hard to come by and word is Anaheim wants one. At the same time, the Capitals seem to have a lot of prospects and could stand to go a draft or two without a ton of picks. So if they were to send Neuvirth and two first round picks to Anaheim, I’d be okay with it.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cap not being a problem, that would be fleecing.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know. True, the Oilers got two good prospects, two first round picks, and (I believe) two second round picks for Pronger. But that was when Pronger had four years left on his contract and wasn’t coming off his lowest point total in ten years.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 2:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think we’d be acquiring him to increase our point totals.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
More the smear-on-the-glass totals?
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s his most important stat, really.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
At least he wouldn’t be around to clobber Green when he gets caught with his head down.
by Sct112 on Feb 3, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Really, though, I’d like to think he could offer Schultz some tutelage. Being a big defenseman in the NHL isn’t as easy as he makes it look, and what Pronger could teach to Schultz could be a factor.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Schultz may never be a hitting D-man despite his size. It doesn’t seem to fit his style. I’d like to see him be willin to hit more, and I used to think he should hity more, but the more I watch him play, I wonder if maybe it doesn’t need to be part of his game.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Pronger does more than hit. He plays good positional defense, and knows how to use his body. He’s also got a damn good shot. That’s more what I was pointing out.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ah. Still not sold on that being the best thing, but I see what you’re saying. Don’t think Schultz will be much of a shooter – he shoots to get the puck down by the net so someone else can hit the back of the net rather than in his own right.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True story. I mean, Pronger would be a huge addition. The price tag on him is likely to be too high though.
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If we need to sign Semin and Backstrom, yeah. Especially if the cap drops next season (and it might).
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Semin and Backstrom are signed through next year at cap hits of 4.6 million and 2.4 million, and Pronger’s contract is up at the end of 09-10, so I don’t think that’s an issue.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay. Thought it was 2010/2011. Thanks.
by gotsparkly on Feb 3, 2009 2:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I tend to agree that he is more of a positional d-man. I’d like to see him use his size a little more to clear out in front of the net but for as much flak as the guy gets he has an impressive +25 rating for his career.
by jcgillen on Feb 3, 2009 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Jeff, check out what I’m doing with my elbow here. Got that? Now here’s a sweet little move… just lift your skate and BAM!”
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
XD +1
Football's boring. Get over it.
by Whiter Mage on Feb 3, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
That reminds me of something a guy on my hockey team sent to us today. It was a list of hockey strategy articles including one called “Defense with Chris Pronger”, to which I responded:
I’m looking forward the “Defense with Chris Pronger” article: “Now, the best strategy is to envision your opponents head as a target and your elbow as a laser-guided missile…”
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True, but that dip in point totals (and the increasing penalty minutes) as compared to a few years ago suggests that he’s not as good as he was when he went from Edmonton to Anaheim, and thus he won’t command the same return.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 2:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
March 4
Sweet jebus, its going to be a looong month until the trade deadline.
by ns on Feb 3, 2009 2:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
True, but now I’m pretty confident that Caps will be players.
by b.orr4 on Feb 3, 2009 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
With that amount of cap-space and some definite rental players out there, I can’t help but think that the Caps will be players at the deadline. I’d personally like to see the defensive corps bolstered again, perhaps with Volchenkov. You can never have too many Russians.
by CapitalsKremlin on Feb 3, 2009 2:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If Volchenkov can be had for a modest package/guys we don’t really need long term, I think he’s the best solution. I kind of doubt Ottawa would trade their best young D who has a reasonable contract, but one never knows.
by grapejoos on Feb 3, 2009 5:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
How about we do the goalie “shock and awe” campaign from 07-08 again this trade deadline?
Trade Theodore, BJ1, call-up Varlamov and sign Stretch.
by zephyr on Feb 3, 2009 3:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’d like to see some more grit in the top 6. Cole, Guerin, Tkachuk, Nolan (in that order, imo) all have expiring contracts and would make a nice rental.
by Ginga on Feb 3, 2009 3:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Those middle two intrigue me, especially Guerin.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’m still weary of Guerin. He is on a team with no scoring depth so he gets all the PP time he can handle. SJS gave up a first round pick for him the other year and he did nothing for them down the stretch and in the playoffs. Cole is a shell of his former self, he’s not doing anything on fast ice with a fast team. If we pick him up his groin is claimed by the VC ice within 5 games. I could live with Tkachuk or Nolan but I wouldn’t give up much for either.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree re: not-giving up much for any of these guys. Nolan is signed through next year, but at a fairly reasonable 2.75 million. I still like Cole the best, despite his neck. He’s been playing well recently, and has the most upside given his age. Of course, that just means he would cost more in a trade…
by Ginga on Feb 3, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would disagree that Cole’s a shell of his former self. He’s not putting up numbers at the same rate he used to but he leads the Oilers in hits by forwards, is second in takeaways, and is fourth in blocked shots. I think his cap number is too high to look at him right now, but if it weren’t for that I think he’d be a great fit at the right price.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He did also score a hat trick against the Caps pretty recently, for what it’s worth.
by grapejoos on Feb 3, 2009 6:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
…then we need to hurry up and grab Jon Sim!!
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough. I wasn’t necessarily disputing that Cole isn’t the same player as he used to be (I don’t watch Edmonton’s games), but that he is still capable of making a difference, as he did against the Caps. If Edmonton falls out of the race, I think he would be very available as a pending UFA, and one of the better scoring forwards (available or not) to add to this team.
Also, Jon Sim is on DMG’s list!
by grapejoos on Feb 3, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
For whatever reason I was really hoping someone would mention that Jon Sim was on that list. Well played, sir.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 7:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We only need to worry about getting Jon Sim if there is a chance we’ll face whatever team he is on in the playoffs =D
by zephyr on Feb 3, 2009 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Guerin seems like a good option but at $4.5 million, I don’t think he’s worth the sacrifices the team would have to make in other areas to fit him in.
by David M. Getz on Feb 3, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think we’ve all written off the possibility of an intra-divisional trade for J-Bo, but it has been discussed.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Feb 3, 2009 6:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Too bad. The Caps are the sort of team that it would make sense to do it.
He will cost very little by the deadline in terms of cap space.
by James Mirtle on Feb 3, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
…In terms of cap space. What is Florida going to want going back the other way? They are in their first playoff battle in ages, are they going to settle for picks and prospects? Throw in how much money Bowmaster wants, and the fact that Florida does not want to see him 6x a year and it’s just not likely.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 3, 2009 8:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I like the option of trading Morrisonn and a prospect/draft pick combination for Kaberle. There is one large sticking point, which is Kaberle is owed money for more than just this year and I do not believe the caps want to take on more 2009-10 and beyond revenue. The cap is going to go down alot in 2010-11 and we will already have trouble resigning guys like Backstrom and Semin. Lets keep the Cap clean and fill from within. Therefore, I chose do nothing.
by CapsFanSince1979 on Feb 4, 2009 6:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
And Kaberle is completely overrated. He gets almost all the PP time on TOR but he doesn’t lead his team in 5/5 ice time and every single defenseman that has gotten regular time in TOR gets more PK time. We don’t need a one way dman taking 4.25 mill off our cap hit for the next two years.
by Fehr and Balanced on Feb 4, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wojtek Wolski
Does he create a stir in anyone else’s pants? I’d like to add someone who rocks the shootout.
Can’t imagine he’d come all that cheap, though. Also has a $2.8 mil cap number.
by thehoagster07 on Feb 4, 2009 8:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Probably not happening. Once Tony G. remembered he played center all through his career until Mustache Q moved him to wing, I think the Avs plan on him and Stastny being the 1-2 punch down the road after Sakic hangs ’em up.
He does destroy in the SO.
Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!
by Mike @ MHH on Feb 24, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 12:53 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.
