Players We Might Covet This Off Season
by HateOffSeason on May 15, 2009 11:59 PM EDT
Email
PrintI wanted to take a look at some of the players available in free agency this year and see who we might want to make a run for on the Capitals. Added to this, I also wanted to take a look at some players that we might perhaps trade for, maybe giving away an extra 4-6 defenseman where we are deep.
With that said, I want to make a couple things clear:
1. I have no idea who we might bring up from Hershey next year, which might make this whole conversation moot.
2. I am not a salary cap expert. I would assume that we can't afford to break the bank for anyone next year, but I don't know the complete details. With that being the case, I'm not looking at guys who have a $4 million salary...we couldn't afford it.
3. I am not a trade expert. I will look at some trades that might make sense for the Caps in the player they would recieve. I don't really know if such a trade would make any sense for the other team.
4. I am a Caps fan and have seen almost zero games by other teams, except when they play the Caps. I will make most of my judgements based of salary, player size, contract situation, goals, and points. Based on those stats, I might look at a player who doesn't actually fit the role we are looking for, even if all the stats are there.
5. In this conversation, I am just looking at forwards. We all know we need to improve the defense as well, but we have to see what we have in some of the guys in Hershey. The need for D might be filled from the Bears, or from a deadline deal. Here I am just looking at a gritty winger and maybe a 2nd line center.
With all that said, basically I'm looking for some gritty forwards who maybe scored 15-25 goals this year. We aren't looking for an all star, just someone who will play physical, play puck control, and get their body in front of the net. On first look, I am disturbed when I go down the scoring list how quickly we come to guys who scored 25 goals. Top end scoring wasn't huge anywhere this year, and there just weren't a whole lot of guys who scored more than 25 goals. These guys could be more expensive than you would ordinarily think. There were only 59 guys who scored 26 goals or more. That averages at 2 per team. Who knows what the market will be.
Joe Pavelski C San Jose 25-34-59 5'11" 194 $1,637,500
At 24, he is probably a RFA, not a UFA, but his numbers are solid. Not a big guy, but might make a fine 2nd line center.
Dustin Brown RW Las Angelos 24-29-53 6'0" 200 $3,175,000
Another 24 year old, he is under contract through 2011-12. Kind of expensive, but since it would involve a trade, we would move some money their way too.
James Neal LW Dallas 24-13-37 6'2" 185 $??????
21 years old. No idea his contract status, although I'm sure he's under contract since he was drafted in 2005. Pretty skinny for his size, so probaby not the guy we are looking for in front of the net.
Alexei Ponikarovski LW Toronto 23-38-61 6'4" 220 $2,105,00
29 years old and under contract through next year. Nice cap number and good size. I doubt Toronto would want to move him, but who knows, if they don't do something to get better, maybe they would trade him now to avoid him just walking away after next year.
Andrei Kostitsyn LW Montreal 23-18-41 6'0" 205 $3,250,000
24 years old and under contract until 2010-11. Not sure Montreal would trade him, and not sure that he would want to leave his brother behind. Decent size.
Todd White C Atlanta 22-51-73 5'10" 193 $2,375,00
Price is right, decade of experience, would be a great 2nd line center for us. Under contract until 2010-11. Forget about it though, he centers Atlanta's top line (and best nick name Little White Russian line)
Ryan Clowe RW San Jose 22-30-52 6'2" 215 $1,600,000
26 years old and some experience on a good team. either a RFA or a UFA, this guy has good size, good numbers, even with a raise should be an ok cap hit.
Andrew Brunette LW Minnesota 22-28-50 6'1" 210 $2,333,333
Holy cow! This guy is still playing? Loved him as a cap. 2 more years on his contract, but Minnesota might have a major overhaul this year, so who knows if he is available or not. Ok size, can he play right wing opposite Semin?
Matt Cullen C Carolina 22-21-43 6'1" 200 $2,800,000
Another 10 year vet with good playoff experience. Nice numbers, nice size, nice salary with 1 year left. Not sure Carolina would move him in division, if at all.
Niklas Hagman RW Toronto 22-20-42 6'0" 205 $3,000,000
Probably more than we want to spend, but at 29 should still have some game left. Contracted through 2011-12 so would have to be a trade.
Colby Armstrong RW Atlanta 22-18-40 6'2" 190 $1,200,000
At 26, either a RFA or UFA. Good numbers, good size, but a little light. Could be a nice salary level even with an increase.
Ryan Callahan RW New York 22-18-40 5'11" 185 $575,000
At 24, he is a RFA this year. Considering how he played against us, I'm sure he's not available. Still, even with a substantial bump in salary, he could be worth it.
Patrick Berglund C St. Louis 21-26-47 6'4" 187 $1,246,667
20 years old and putting up those numbers? This kid ain't available. Needs to hit the weight room anyway.
Rene Bourque LW Calgary 21-19-40 6'2" 213 $1,300,000
27 and good experience on a playoff team. Good size and numbers and cap hit. 1 year left on his contract. Don't know if Calgary needs any 4-6 d-men.
Mikko Koivu C MInnesota 20-47-67 6'2" 207 $3,250,000
26 years old and great numbers. Contracted through 10-11. Whatever restructuring Minnesota does to their lineup, you can't imagine them trading this guy, but who knows.
Travis Zajac C New Jersey 20-42-62 6'2" 200 $984,200
At 24, he is a RFA. With those numbers he will get a substantial raise. I imagine the Devils will match any offers.
Mikhail Grabovski C Toronto 20-28-48 5'11" 182 $850,000
At 25, he is a RFA. Should get a raise based on his numbers. Does Toronto match an offer sheet on him?
Drew Stafford RW Buffalo 20-25-45 6'1" 202 $984,200
23 year old RFA. Good size, good numbers, probably cheap. Buffalo probably makes him an offer.
Ales Kotalik RW Edmonton 20-23-43 6'2" 225 $2,333,333
30 years old. Should have some playoff experience from Buffalo. Real nice size and numbers. Should be affordable. UFA.
Tomas Plekanec C Montreal 20-19-39 5'10" 196 $1,600,000
26 year old RFA or UFA. A little small, but nice numbers/salary.
David Moss RW Calgary 20-19-39 6'3" 203 $550,000
27 year old UFA. Nice size, nice numbers, real nice price.
Jason Williams RW Columbus 19-28-47 5'11" 185 $2,200,000
28 year old UFA. Nice numbers, but small.
Dave Bolland C Chicago 19-28-47 6'0" 176 $845,833
22 year old RFA. Needs to hit the weight room, but I imagine Chicago makes him an offer.
Steve Ott C Dallas 19-27-46 6'0" 193 $1,425,000
26 year old RFA or UFA. Could use a little more size, but nice numbers and low price.
Mikael Samuelsson RW Detroit 19-21-40 6'2" 211 $1,200,000
32 years old UFA and the experience doesn't get any better than playing in Detroit. Nice size, nice price.
Chad LaRose RW Carolina 19-12-31 5'10" 181 $875,000
27 year old UFA, this guy stat and size wise looks like Flash with fewer assists. No thanks.
Tim Connolly C Buffalo 18-29-47 6'1" 199 $2,967,000
28 year old UFA. Perhaps a little expensive, and a little light, but who knows?
Kyle Okposo RW Islanders 18-21-39 6'0" 195 $850,000
21 year old signed through 2010-11. Not sure what Islanders would take in trade, if they would even consider it.
Andrew Cogliano C Edmonton 18-20-38 5'9" 178 $850,000
21 and under contract through next year. Cheap, but really small. Any better than Aucoin?
Kyle Wellwood C Vancouver 18-9-27 5'10" 180 $997,500
25 year old RFA. Small and not great numbers, but cheap. Don't know if Vancouver lets him go. All I know about him is he took a couple sticks to the face in the playoffs and kept right on playing. Not big, but tough.
Joel Ward RW Nashville 17-18-35 6'2" 215 $?????
No idea what this guy's contract status is except that at 28, this is his 2nd year in the league. Last year was in Minnesota. Nice size, ok numbers.
David Clarkson RW New Jersey 17-15-32 6'1" 205 $837,500
25 and another year on his salary. Ok size, ok numbers, cheap. Doubt NJ makes a trade.
Nick Foligno LW Ottawa 17-15-32 6'0" 188 $850,000
21 year old under contract through next year. Nice numbers, needs to spend some time in the weight room. Nice salary. No idea what Ottawa might do in the off season to get better.
Clarke MacArthur LW Buffalo 17-14-31 6'1" 191 $600,000
24 year old RFA. A little light, but nice numbers for the price.
Sam Gagne C Edmonton 16-25-41 5'10" 191 $875,000
19 year old with a year left on his contract. Small, but nice numbers for someone so young. Don't see Edmonton making a trade.
Ruslan Fedotenko LW Pittsburgh 16-23-39 6'2" 195 $2,250,000
30 year old UFA. Perhaps a little expensive for this level of production, and considering who he played with, I don't see him putting up better numbers anywhere else.
Brendan Morrison C Anaheim 16-15-31 5'11" 181 $2,750,000
33 year old UFA. Small, and too much money for that production.
Matt Stajan C Toronto 15-40-55 6'1" 180 $1,750,000
25 year old under contract through next season. A little light, but very nice production for the price. Who knows with Toronto if he would be available.
Antti Miettinen RW Minnesota 15-29-44 6'0" 190 $2,333,333
28 year old under contract through 2010-11. Good production for the price. Even with changes in Minnesota, I doubt he's available.
Rich Peverly C Atlanta 15-29-44 6'0" 185 $??????
26 year old who was traded from Nashville to Atlanta. No idea what his contract situation is, but nice numbers.
Todd Bertuzzi RW Calgary 15-29-44 6'3" 245 $1,950,000
34 year old UFA. Definitely adds size and grit, but comes with a ton of baggage. Nice price for his production.
Radek Dvorak RW Florida 15-21-36 6'2" 200 $1,550,000
32 year old UFA. Nice size and ok numbers for the price.
Tyler Kennedy C Pittsburgh 15-20-35 5'10" 183 $541,667
22 year old RFA. Integral part of their checking line, don't think they let him get away.
Scottie Upshall RW Phoenix 15-19-34 6'0" 197 $1,225,000
25 year old RFA. Very nice player for the price, but who knows who is calling the shots in Phoenix, if anyone.
Steve Bernier RW Vancouver 15-17-32 6'2" 233 $2,500,00
24 year old RFA. Really nice size, doubt Vancouver lets him get away.
Nikolai Kulemin RW Toronto 15-16-31 6'1" 183 $1,487,500
22 year old with one year left on his contract. Ok size, good numbers for the price. Again, it's Toronto.
Maxim Lapierre C Montreal 15-13-28 6'2" 200 $687,500
24 year old with a year on his contract. Very nice size and affordable. Don't know why Montreal would trade him.
I mostly looked at RW and C since that is where our need is. This took a lot longer than I thought it would once I started considering players that we could trade for. A couple things that jumped out at me as I did this.
1. There were a lot of high paid players that only scored 25 or fewer goals.
2. There are not very many UFA's in this group, but a lot of RFA's. Don't know if there are any chances to grab a RFA.
I ended up posting a lot more players than I had intended to, but I know virtually nothing about most of them. I hope to get a lot of feedback on whether any of these guys would fit, if any would be possible to get, or if this was just a giant waste of time.
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
30 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Should have included this in the original post, and should have cross referenced it when I was looking at players. Here is a link to the UFA list for next year.
http://www.sportscity.com/nhl/2009-nhl-unrestricted-free-agents-by-position/
There are a lot of good players up there, which is why most of them won’t be going anywhere during the offseason.
A couple of things:
1) Kotalik has never lived up to his potential and likely never will. The Sabres are in a rebuild mode right now and they let him go for next to nothing.
2) Okposo is going to be one of the major cogs in the Islanders rebuild, he’s not going anywhere. Ditto for Koivu in Minnesota
3) Callahan is probably the player I’d like to see on the team more than most of them, but the Rangers will do what’s needed to keep him.
4) Bernier signed an extension… he’s off the market.
Anyone on the list under 25 is not going to move. David Moss might be a nice addition though….
Let's go Caps!
You are probably 100% correct. What dissappointed me were truly how few UFA’s are out there. I have a feeling any additions will have to be through trades since I think the few free agents will be over priced.
by HateOffSeason on May 16, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
We should make a hard push for both Callahan and Dubinsky. Given the Rags’ cap situation we should be able to poach one or the other from them. A lot of those guys on the list you provided are definitely untouchable (specifically Okposo, Berglund). Two guys I think you overlooked, you are operating under the assumption of a trade, are Simone Gagne and Patrice Bergeron. Both have the head injury question mark but they are both expendable given the depth and cap issues on their teams. I would love either guy.
I know you didn’t focus on D, but I think that is at least as big a need for us as 2C and more of a need than any wing position. For D I would look at Komisarek, Beauchemin, Ohlund, and recently I’ve been teasing myself with the possibility of Alex Semin/Shamo/a pick for Ryan Suter. Man what I wouldn’t do to have him.
If we poach one of Callahan or Dubinsky, I’d rather have Callahan. He’s Matt Bradley’s effort with Brooks Laich talent….not that Laich doesn’t give a great effort, but very few players in the league (let alone the Caps) outwork Bradley…
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 16, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we’re ok at Center with Backstrom, Gordon, Steckel, Laich, and there are strong indications that the team wants to keep Fedorov.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 16, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
The team is in trouble at center. Backstrom’s the only guy who is a certain legit top six center. Fedorov might be able to play that role, but he has one more year left at most, and Laich’s a top six quality guy, but better utilized as a wing so he can forecheck more effectively and not have to worry about playing the role of playmaker.
The fact that Brads is in the NHL at all shows he has to put out more effort than Brooks. Brooks gives a tremendous effort, but Bradley… I don’t think there are 10 players in the league that hustle more, work more, and do what’s needed on ice and off to be an NHL player.
Scary thought: One of the ten players is Alex Ovechkin
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Pivonka on May 16, 2009 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t look at any guys that were over 3.5 million, and that probably included Gagne and Bergeron. I don’t know the exact state of the cap, and none of us will until the actual cap is given out for next year. For the same reason, I didn’t look at D. What we have is good enough for the regular season, and depending on developement, might be better than that. I just have a feeling that we won’t do much about D, except maybe trade off some extra 4-6 players, unti the trade deadline next year.
Someone posted in a thread about the real numbers of what we lose in contracts this year, and what we will probably spend to keep our own RFA’s. Combined with perhaps a decrease of 2 million in cap space next year, it paints a pretty ugly picture in trying to sign any kind of major free agent contract, not to mention 2 forwards and a defenseman.
Of course, once you start making trades, who it’s all based upon how much salary you send the other way. In my thinking though, we probably only move some extra D, and they just don’t make that much money to free up much cap space. I know everyone talks about trading Semin, and while I know that he probably has pretty good trade value, I just don’t see trading away your only forward who can score other than Ovie.
by HateOffSeason on May 16, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Callahan!
Either Ryan Callahan or Dustin Brown would be incredibly solid. I don’t know how well Brown would fit onto the team. Nik Hagman isn’t bad, playing for the Leafs probably handicapped him a little bit. Scottie Upshall and Ruslan Fedotenko are both asses, I wouldn’t want to see them in Caps uniforms, honestly. Kyle Okposo is a year or two away from being a money player, but the Isles probably won’t want to get rid of him. Actually, that would be a terrrible decision, so they’d probably do it! (RIM SHOT)
Steve Ott is on the list too, who’s probably the biggest bastard this side of Avery.
by Knee high to a duck on May 17, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Everyone in the NHL who scored between 15-25 goals is on the list.
by HateOffSeason on May 17, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, I was responding to “Scottie Upshall and Ruslan Fedotenko are both asses, I wouldn’t want to see them in Caps uniforms, honestly.”
You did a nice job researching and compiling all of this.
by Knee high to a duck on May 18, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
doh…correction…everyone who scored 15-25 goals who made less than 3.5 mil.
by HateOffSeason on May 18, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
What we really, really need in a player is two things:
-Grit
-Durability
If Semin’s not injured, he probably has a 10 point series. Same for Green.
Injuries are impossible to predict, but we just need someone who’s going to last through the playoffs. Clark was one of those guys until he had two awful injuries.
by DrinkingPartner on May 16, 2009 9:05 PM EDT reply actions
I’d totally take Brown, though. But he’s not leaving LA anytime soon.
by DrinkingPartner on May 16, 2009 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really wanting to say anything redundant as far as player names that hasn’t already been covered. But I think just as equally important is the system. Which players would fit BB’s system best? Just because a player does well on another team doesn’t necessarily mean he’d do well over here. Depending on the team’s system that the player is coming from, he may be asked to do different things. Some might make this adjustment naturally because the system suits them. Others may not do so well because they simply don’t just fit the system.
by RedskinFan4Life on May 18, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions
Exactly why I put this list up here, because I don’t know who fits the system. I also don’t have a clue which of those guys up there is gritty, and would put a body in front of the net. I was hoping with a list in front of you (you being everyone, not just you) those guys could be identified. And, with a fairly complete list up there, we might see more than just the same 5 names thrown around…but maybe not.
by HateOffSeason on May 18, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
My long shot hope is that we bring in Mike Cammalleri and Mike Komisarek. If GMGM could manage that, he is more of a genius than I could have ever imagined.
The more realistic route may be a guy like Dom Moore (13-32-45, 54% faceoffs playing most the season with Toronto), who was only paid 900,000 this season. We may also be able to pry Greg Zanon who had a good year in Nashville registering 153 hits and an amazing 237 blocked shots, he only made 750,000 this past year.
Both salaries are going up, but they are UFAs and could be under the radar enough to grab at a good price anticipating the coming cap shrink.
by Love and Osechkin on May 19, 2009 1:36 PM EDT reply actions
Aside from the obvious flaws on D, I think what the playoffs really showed (and the regular season too – how many times did you hear “we were too cute” following a Caps loss?) is that the Caps really need a forward who has skill and can play with some grit and crashes the net with no fear. Laich does this at times, but one guy is not enough and even he doesn’t do this consistently. They need someone in the top 6 that can score the ugly goals, particularly to play on AO’s RW.
Toward that end, a guy I would really like the Caps to sign is Knuble. He won’t break the bank, he provides some veteran leadership, and most importantly he provides grit and a presence in front of the net. He’s a little long in the tooth, but that also means that the Caps can get him for a shorter term deal, something that is particularly good for their cap situation. I’d love to see him parked in front of the net on the PP, if Bruce could ever see fit to take Flash off of the first unit.
Another option might be Gionta, although he will be a bit more expensive and he is smaller. However, he plays bigger than his size and crashes the net like a demon.
by Killer_Carlson on May 22, 2009 12:50 AM EDT reply actions
At tied for 47th in the league for goal scoreing, that means he is the 2nd best goal scorer on most teams. Might not come as cheap as you think, even at 36 years old.
by HateOffSeason on May 22, 2009 6:09 AM EDT up reply actions
He made $2.8 million per year on his last contract, and this past year was his lowest points total (and second lowest goal total) since the lockout. I would be surprised if he gets a significant raise, considering the current uncertainty regarding the salary cap. He’s not gonna be a bargain basement player, but he is exactly the kind of player the Caps need and GMGM has to look at more than just the bargain bin to improve this team.
by Killer_Carlson on May 22, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Florida
|
53 | 25 | 17 | 11 | 61 |
|
Washington
|
54 | 28 | 21 | 5 | 61 |
|
Winnipeg
|
56 | 26 | 24 | 6 | 58 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
53 | 23 | 24 | 6 | 52 |
|
Carolina
|
55 | 20 | 25 | 10 | 50 |
(updated 2.10.2012 at 3:26 AM EST)
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Thursday’s Three Stars: Max Pac hat trick; Chris Phillips’ memorable 1,000th game
- It’s over: Montreal’s Scott Gomez finally ends goalless streak (Video)
- Scott Hartnell’s goal celebration now includes fighting Dion Phaneuf (Video)
- Puck Previews: Leafs meet Flyers; Steve Yzerman not playing in Winter Classic Alumni Game?
- Three theories on why Hurricanes might pull Tuomo Ruutu off trading block
Certain photos copyright © 2012 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.
