Pick 'Em: Caps' Greatest Need?
by Stephen Pepper on Jun 30, 2009 1:31 PM EDT
in Pick 'Ems
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PrintWe're on the eve of what will be a fun holiday for hockey fans, on both sides of the northern border, whether you call it Canada Day or Christmas in July. At high noon Eastern time tomorrow, general managers will step out of the saloons with guns blazing. And let us all hope that dreams of filling the Caps' greatest need, be it via a free agent signing or a trade, aren't shot down.
But what is the Caps' greatest need? Is it a hulking power forward to play right wing along side Nicky and Ovi, one who plays with a snarl, relentlessly bulldozing himself and the puck toward the net? Or a crafty second-line pivot, who can work efficiently with Alexander Semin and curb the latter's tendency to overplay the puck? Is it a physical defenseman most desired, that so many of us fans crave, to police the crease? Or, on that note, does the 2009-10 club need a respected enforcer to replace the unlikely-to-be-resigned Donald Brashear (and give Matt Bradley some cover)? Or discuss "other" needs in the comments.
Skip out of work early tomorrow, fire up a grill if you can, pour yourself a Canadian brew (Sleeman or Keith's, if you're lucky), and watch the drama unfold.
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Voted for D. As I said in the other post, I don’t care that D is the Caps’ deepest area, it’s also easily the weakest. If there were reason to believe that Woods was enough to show a significant change in the team’s D game with no roster change I would, of course, change my tune, but at the moment I’m skeptical that everything there can be remedied with coaching.
As for 2nd line C, it’d be nice to have but who are you going to target? There’s nobody with size and skill that’s really in our price range, and that seems to be what Ted/GMGM want. Semin’s a good enough playmaker and Laich has the D and faceoffs, the two of them together are probably an acceptible 2nd line “core” for the short term. Scoring isn’t going to be this team’s issue.
RW would be a great addition, but I have a feeling they might settle for Clark and/or Fehr once they’re both healthy (if they recover). Would like an upgrade there still though.
I don’t think it’s fair to say the D was easily the weakest – the D corps was probably above average last year and while the offense was great, the team only has three (ideal) top six guys right now.
I didn’t mean the D corps, I meant the team D. Our problem was goals against, even if the Dmen themselves were ok.
A new coach might help, but a more reliable presence back there would help even more I think.
Perhaps, but I think getting the forwards to play better defense would be helpful too. Between guys who just weren’t that good in their own end, guys shirking, and all the HHT penalties I think the forward group made playing team defense awfully difficult.
I’ll settle for any combination of players, coaches and systems that allow the Caps to exit the zone with alacrity. It was painful to watch at times last season and not much better in the playoffs. We’d scramble around, give up a scoring opportunity and get it out eventually or take a penalty. Teams with Cup aspirations shouldn’t have this problem.
Semin’s a good enough playmaker and Laich has the D and faceoffs, the two of them together are probably an acceptible 2nd line "core" for the short term.
There’s another guy in the organization who can pass like a center but who you don’t want depend on for the faceoffs or defensive responsibilties — Keith Aucoin. I like the idea of Semin-Laich-Aucoin, with Brooks driving the net, Aucoin playing quarterback for the line, and Semin finishing. And Aucoin can score some too. If Semin ever learns to be defensively responsible at even strength play the way he is when he’s killing penalties, this could work out fairly well.
by Gould Old Days on Jun 30, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s already defensively responsible at even strength… he’s probably the best on the team at rushing back and stripping the other team of the puck. He just needs to be kept on a tighter leash shift-wise, because once he overextends his shifts he takes the lazy HHS penalties.
As for Aucoin, he might work, but that line probably doesn’t get put together unless Flash is shipped out. Despite the faceoffs I liked what I saw from Flash-Aucoin-Semin, but that probably doesn’t get much of a shot going forward unless there are injuries.
RW
Clowe or Samuellson.
I am not overlooking the essential need of a 2nd line center. I think that our RW need can come cheaper right now. Our second line center can come at the trade deadline.
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
Coming from DET Samuelsson will have a lot of suitors and be looking for a long term deal. Clowe is going to require more compensation than just his salary because he is RFA. I’d look at Knuble first, older player willing to accept a shorter deal and he won’t be able to ask for a raise at his age. Basically he’d cost Kozlov money and fill that need better than Kozlov did.
“Christmas in July”
Yeah, it’s Christmas alright. But you pay Santa a few million bucks to visit and he comes with a huge buyer beware sign on his his sleigh. Then he starts to tack in things like no-movement-clauses.
Bastard.
But with that said, a Center is the greatest need.
Capitals Kremlin the second line center of the Caps blogosphere.
by CapitalsKremlin on Jun 30, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions
First Line Right Wing. I’m curious to see Ovie work with someone he has not worked with before.
Can’t wait to be compulsively checking websites tomorrow and watching them like a hawk for updates. Free Agency: I love you.
I voted C, natch.
And, I am ready to be thoroughly underwhelmed by George tomorrow.
from the house that Red Jesus built
Laich on the first line
Seems like we have a better chance of filling the 1st line rw internally, than second line center where there is no one in the organization who is ready right now to step in and play at the level needed to get to the cup.
I’m also surprised that Laich gets no mentions for first line rw. I realize that he’s valuable in other places, but he skates well, controls the puck well, has pretty good hands, and brings some grit to that line. If Chris Clark could net 30 a few years ago, I like 21’s chances to get 35…he’s a better all around player at this point and he plays with a physical edge. I also think we have the internal depth to replace him on lines 2 and 3.
I don’t think the organization thinks Laich that good a right wing. But if he can learn, maybe it’s an option. No way he gets 35, though. Even with another nine powerplay goals, that’d take 26 at even strength and only two Caps (Ovechkin and Semin) had that many this past year.
I disagree that the team has enough talent to fill out lines two and three, though. Who’s the third line left wing in that situation?
Im thinking some combination of the following: Fehr, Borque, Osala, Clark on the third line to fill in for Laich to play with Stecks and Bradley. I have to admit, I don’t really get the dynamics of what makes a good LW vs RW.
35 might be at the upper end of what is possible, but it’s based mostly on my feeling that Laich is better than Clark , then when Clark scored 30 a few years ago, and the team is so much better. Laich has always played so well with Backstrom and Laich gives that line a solid defensive winger that lets Ovie do his thing.
by Direction 87 on Jun 30, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
1) 2nd line C
2) 1st line RW
3) Physical D-man
4) beer cups that fit in the cupholders at VC
5) Enforcer
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 Jun 30, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs
C, no question.
RW is a non-issue for me…every RW Ovechkin has ever played with has consequently put up great numbers, so whether it’s another go-round for Clark or a shot for Fehr, Bourque, or Laich, I think we should be set.
D is something I’d rather wait and see…if Alzner and/or Carlson can step in early in the season and get the job done, we’re set. If not, keep some cap space and make a move.
by Kerry Fraser's Hairspray on Jun 30, 2009 2:03 PM EDT reply actions
i’m now convinced that marleau at C is my ideal caps move this summer. that said, i might have been one of the mob hoping for nylander at C a few offseasons ago..
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 30, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
i might have been one of the mob hoping for nylander at C a few offseasons ago..
There he is! Get him!
by Bald Pollack on Jun 30, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Flash/Marleau/Semin would probably be the most unphysical (is that even a word) line in all of hockey. But it would be a fun one to watch I think.
But it would still be an upgrade over last season’s Fleischmann-Nylander-Fehr line…..so….there’s that….
Where does this idea that Marleau is soft on these discussions come from? I don’t get it.
He’s really streaky. That’s what’s wrong with him. But unphysical? He’s a very good defensive forward. He depends more on positioning than hitting and he doesn’t fight, but who cares? — he’s an effective penalty killer. He led the Sharks forwards in PK time last year and as you may have heard, they had a pretty good year. And he was pretty much their best player in the playoffs, with two GWGs. The team disappointed, but Marleau’s not the reason.
by Gould Old Days on Jun 30, 2009 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
i dont know
maybe we’d see some more slap fights from semin
by twistedlogic on Jul 1, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Knuble
For all of you who’d like to get Knuble here, I thought this was interesting. Apparently, we value him a lot more than the Flyers do (at least monetarily):
With Wednesday’s free agency period looming, the Flyers and Mike Knuble continue contract talks today.The Flyers are believed to be offering an incentive-based one-year deal with a base salary in the $1 million range. Knuble likely is seeking a two-year agreement with a higher base salary, probably in the $2 million range.
-http://blogs.courierpostonline.com/flyers/
Kessel
I wonder if he gets signed for less than $3M a year.
If he does, is it only in Boston?
Promote the game, it's the NHL, not SCHL
Well, this should solve the 2C problem, eh?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Aucoin centered Giroux all season and Giroux is listed as a left wing…not sure how The Hockey News has this translating to second line center. Giroux is 6’2’, and 29 years old. He did score 60 regular season goals, 15 playoff goals (many critical), and he is in our organization. Seems like he should have at least earned another look at the NHL level, just not second line center.
by Direction 87 on Jun 30, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
He earned that look last year while he was doing all those great things. And he got that look. And he didn’t look good.
I think we all know what Giroux is capable of. And he’s not the answer to any question that involves the Caps.
by Gould Old Days on Jun 30, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Does anyone think that Nyls might be able to step in and play as the second line center? Its not ideal, but he has played at that level before, and he’s already on the roster.
duck
I think it’s possible and I think it might even be the team’s best option if they can’t move his salary.
Does that option change your vote? To me it seems like everyone is voting based on the fact that Nyls is not going to work. A bad Nyls alone would be a better move than a bad Nyls + an average bridge center to Anton.
There’s no question that Nyls CAN fill the void at 2nd line center. The question is whether he is able/willing to play within BB’s system. There were moments last year that I thought he gel’ed nicely with Semin/Flash and Fehr/Flash.
Obviously, Nylander being effective at the 2nd line C would be the first choice. Nothing he has done in the past 1.5 years says he would be.
do we believe in Miracles?
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 Jun 30, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
definitely needed to be mentioned. but GMGM made no mistake mentioning laich’s name when asked about #2C a few weeks ago. nylander has built himself quite the doghouse.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 30, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
You’d get $350,000 for that in Northern VA.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 30, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Nyls needs to get in the shop and have a new GPS system installed in his hard drive. The one he has now keeps him going in circles.
It's funny because it's true...
Apparently Nylander’s “pass” button is broken, all he can do is skate in circles until he loses possession.
oh too bad..
looks like we just missed out on adding another russian to the roster:
Gandler, by the way, told us that veteran center Alexei Yashin, who had been contemplating a possible return to the NHL, is staying put in Russia.
“Yes, we signed him to a deal with St. Petersburg,” Gandler said.
Komiserak
From Mirtle on twitter.:
“After much discussion and thought, Mike Komisarek has decided to enter the free agent market tomorrow at noon,” said agent Matt Keator.
Mike Comrie
Don’t laugh. He hasn’t been included in most of the discussions, but he’s available, at low prices and probably for one year. Guy’s not a bad player. I watch him all the time up here in Islander country, and he can play. He’s not a dangler. He pushes the pace and has great touch on his passes. Sort of a poor man’s Marc Savard. Could pair really, really well with Semin.
Comrie has cracked 60 points and 30 assists twice
in eight seasons. True, not a bad player, but to tell you the truth, I’d rather have Giroux.
I would strike him as an extremely indigent, wretchedly impoverished man’s Savard.
Comrie has cracked 60 points and 30 assists twice in eight seasons. True, not a bad player, but to tell you the truth, I’d rather have Giroux.
An average NHL player is still beter than an AHL player.
And Brooks Laich is better than an average NHL player…
That wasn’t meant to come across as a “Brooks Laich fact”, but I guess it’s the will of Brooks Laich whether things come across that way or not, isn’t it?
I’d rather have Comrie at 2C than Laich. I really don’t think Laich is suited to be an NHL C for anything more than spot duty.
i like comrie, but whats wrong with laich?
hes an underrated two-way player. can’t argue with a guy who plays a little D
by twistedlogic on Jul 1, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Saku Koivu might have become very available just now – Montreal traded Chris Higgins for Scott Gomez.
In related news, WTF is Montreal thinking?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
what a move for NYR! talk about lightening your salary cap woes!
p.s. what, montreal wouldn’t accept our nyls-for-higgins offer? bummer.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 30, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
The Rangers sent Gomez, forward Tom Pyatt and defenseman Mike Busto to the Canadiens in exchange for forward Chris Higgins and defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko.
[ESPN.com]
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 30, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought McDonagh was supposed to be awesome? What an awful deal for Montreal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
wow, I can’t believe anybody took Gomez. What in the world…
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 Jun 30, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I must congratulate Glen Sather. Wonder what he’s holding over Bob Gainey’s head to get him to agree to that.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
1C money for 60 points per year?
There has to be another shoe falling for Montreal tomorrow (or shortly) because this deal makes no sense at ALL. Gainey has lost it.
from the house that Red Jesus built
McDonagh has it all and is expected to play a key role in the Canadiens’ fortunes for the next decade. If not a number-one blueliner, he would be considered a 1A, with the talent to easily stake a long-term claim on the first defensive pairing.
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 Jun 30, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Scotty must be losing his mind
You can't reason someone out of something they weren't reasoned into.
from the same article:
Gomez has five years and $33.5 million left on his deal — $8 million next season, $8 million in 2010-11, $7.5 million in 2011-12, $5.5 million in 2012-13 and $4.5 million in 2013-14.
that had to be one of the most “untradeable” deals in hockey. only a few tapered-off years (and a NMC) separates the gomez contract from the briere contract.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 30, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Gomez’s NMC was very limited, from what I’ve read.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
oh you know, i didn’t even realize gomez had a NMC. briere def does.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 30, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, a wonderful thought but they also loved him because he had Jagr to put goals in for him. Still, crazier things have happened…like the Canadiens trading for one of the less attractive long term contracts in hockey.
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 Jun 30, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions
One of...?
I’d say it’s “one of” the TWO least attractive contracts in hockey. And shit, Danielle actually puts up some points when he’s healthy.
I was thinking Koivu too. Anyone have an idea of how much he would cost salary-wise?
by thehoagster07 on Jun 30, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes – the nursing home down the street has a floor hockey team in need of a RW.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
(note to the Capitals: whatever he will play for, I will play for less and JP has touted me as a first line right wing, so you know it’s a good idea)
by David Getz on Jun 30, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
perfectly reasonable quote from GMGM:
As far as which positions he is targeting, McPhee said: “The forward position, if we could add some more talent or depth we would. On defense we’re fine. Goaltending we’re fine. We have enough [forwards] internally, we believe, to be a good team, a playoff team. But if there’s something that makes us really good, we’ll be involved. If not, we’ll just go with what we have.”
followed by my favorite CI comments so far:
nothing new here…Mcphee with his typical jargon
Posted by: reesem37 | June 30, 2009 4:22 PM | Report abuse
this is the same old bs from mcphee
Posted by: _stevo | June 30, 2009 4:24 PM | Report abuse
I am quickly losing faith in GMGM. If he thinks we are fine on DEFENSE he has lost his ever loving mind!
Posted by: ERHDC1 | June 30, 2009 4:27 PM | Report abuse
Um, we’re fine on defense? How so? Is Calle back?
Posted by: jakopz | June 30, 2009 4:33 PM | Report abuse
At least we can all relax now….GMGM says we are fine on defense……ha!
Posted by: OviFan08 | June 30, 2009 4:38 PM | Report abuse
GMGM is banking on an all Swedish center line-up…but that’s still years away…what about this season? What about this season!
Posted by: lylewimbledon | June 30, 2009 5:15 PM | Report abuse
GMGM banking on an all swedish middle…couple years away- what about next year? what about next year!
Posted by: lylewimbledon | June 30, 2009 5:21 PM | Report abuse
yes, that last guy commented twice.
by Natty Bumppo on Jun 30, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
i don’t speak french, but this headline is pretty clear. jacques demers = not a capologist.
how can anyone in montreal be on board with this trade?
My french is rusty, but he was saying that the Habs did well to strike early for a good player that it spells the end of Koivu, and that there is one more surprise up Gainey’s sleeve. Regarding Komisarek, he thought a fair offer would have been made but this is probebly the last time for him to take advantage of being UFA and wanted to test the market. At the end, Demers says it’s “a shame” that the team will lose two drafted players in the same offseason.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 30, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
“probebly” = fail
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jun 30, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d still prefer a makes sense deal for a #2 center, but anbody know what Brian Gionta is going to be asking for?
Russian Machine Never Breaks
More than he’s worth. He’s pretty useless if you want anything other than a guy that can skate fast.
Useless? That’s not accurate. If we had had Gionta during the playoffs our top 6 forwards would have been a lot better than they were.
People are going to pay him for his 40 goal season, and he’ll never do that again. Yeah, he’s not useless (hyperbole), but he’s far from the elite goal scorer that I think people picture him as.
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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
|
56 | 20 | 25 | 11 | 51 |
(updated 2.11.2012 at 8:02 AM EST)
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