Ranking the Capitals: #22

by J.P. on Aug 24, 2009 8:40 PM EDT

In an effort to beat the summer doldrums, we're undertaking to rank - with your help - the Washington Capitals, from Ovechkin to, well, we'll see (only players under contract will be considered). The criteria is simple: who at this moment is the most valuable player in the organization who hasn't already been ranked? Put another way, if you could only keep one of the remaining players - because of what he brings on the ice or off it, his upside, what he could fetch in trade, and so on - who would it be? Consider age, potential, contract status, organizational depth, etc. - it's your call. And after you vote and defend your selection in the comments, help us out and suggest a name to add to the next poll. [Note: previous "Ranking the Capitals" posts can be found here."]

Welcome Brian Pothier to the list, and Francois Bouchard to the poll...

Poll

Who's the next most valuable Cap?

Francois Bouchard

0 votes

Chris Bourque

21 votes

Matt Bradley

60 votes

Chris Clark

18 votes

Stefan Della Rovere

3 votes

John Erskine

18 votes

Anton Gustafsson

32 votes

Braden Holtby

0 votes

Milan Jurcina

26 votes

Mathieu Perreault

5 votes

183 votes | Poll has closed

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.

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Comments

After that baby Gus video I almost changed my mind, but I got to stick with Bradley here, for my previously stated reasons.

"And next year it will be ours."

by Ovechwin on Aug 24, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions

hahaha… agreed on both counts.

by kellobellow on Aug 24, 2009 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I admit it, I had no intention of voting for Gus here before I saw that video, but I just did vote for him.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Aug 24, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Matt Bradley: Fighting for Your Vote!

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Aug 24, 2009 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

My 2 cents – I’d love to see either Dovgan or D. Orlov added to the list of choices next.

by Carl Putnam on Aug 24, 2009 11:05 PM EDT reply actions

IIRC Orlov isn’t yet under contract and as such is not elgible for inclusion in the voting.

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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 Aug 24, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Correct

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Aug 25, 2009 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Forgot about that. My bad.

by Carl Putnam on Aug 25, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

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by winterion on Aug 25, 2009 12:42 AM EDT reply actions

Much as I’d want to vote for Craig Berube v2.0, I went Perreault.

http://wewintrophies.com/ - 12 major trophies in national and international competitions. Be a part of the next one.

by Bald Pollack on Aug 25, 2009 7:24 AM EDT reply actions

Coincidentally, the 22nd round is about the time Bradley wins shootouts for the Caps.

I’m still voting Jurcina because he’s the only guy left that’s both useful to the team as a player and as a trade chip.

by Tromni on Aug 25, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

Is it time to add Slapshot to the poll?

by Cluster on Aug 25, 2009 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

And after you vote and defend your selection in the comments, help us out and suggest a name to add to the next poll.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Aug 25, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

I’m thinking of putting Nylander on, just to get him on there and let someone make the case (if they can).

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by J.P. on Aug 25, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s a veteran player; I’d presume he’ll be voted in quicker than you think.

http://wewintrophies.com/ - 12 major trophies in national and international competitions. Be a part of the next one.

by Bald Pollack on Aug 25, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s why I’m hesitant to put him on there – gotta save the people from themselves sometimes, y’know?

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by J.P. on Aug 25, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Aye, Publius.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Aug 25, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I dunno – maybe throw him in there to see how long he lasts, then once he’s voted in, we can all start playing the Black Album.

http://wewintrophies.com/ - 12 major trophies in national and international competitions. Be a part of the next one.

by Bald Pollack on Aug 25, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I recommend adding Beagle for the next round.

by kcfatts on Aug 25, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed.

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by winterion on Aug 25, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Based on the Bradley votes, I’m somewhat curious what people think Quentin Laing’s value is. Not sure if he’s still on the Caps’ roster though.

by apk3000 on Aug 25, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I love his heart though

by red army line on Aug 25, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

But not his spleen….

j/k

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Aug 25, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You know, for the rest of my life, I’m going to hear spleen and think Forsberg.
I wonder if this is the same for hoops people, when they hear Jordan, that they think of the player first and not the country?

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by winterion on Aug 25, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

When I hear Jordan, I think of my niece Jordan first…not the country or the basketball player with a higher GNP than the country of the same name

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Aug 25, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Collins and Sloan showed that you need AHL D that can step up and give you serviceable NHL minutes in a pinch. Dovgan and Godfrey are long shots to ever make the Caps roster but could both be intriguing trade options for teams looking to add to their D prospect pool. Wilson, A. Gordon, Bruess, all could potentially contribute as fourth line players. But the guy that intrigues me most is Dubuc. He’s scored everywhere he’s been but never been given much love. Guys that are natural scorers just don’t come around very often. I expect him to play all year in Hershey this year and I’m intrigued to see what he can do.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Aug 25, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s not on an NHL contract, so he’s a no go for this polling, no?

by brs03 on Aug 25, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m not sure which contract he’s on. Maybe it is just a Hershey contract. My bad.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Aug 25, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

It is. He was signed to a two-year deal by the Bears last season.

by brs03 on Aug 25, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Certainly wouldn’t have been a bad choice otherwise!

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by winterion on Aug 25, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Just for Fun.

Since we actually have enough for a team at this point I figured I’d toss one out there and see what people think. Sorry Pothier, I needed a winger not a defenseman, so Bradley gets the value nod :)

Ovie : Backstrom : Knuble
Semin : BMo : Laich
Osala : Steckel : Flash
Bradley : Gordon : Fehr

Green : Alzner
Poti : Schultz
Carlson : ShaMo

Varly : Theo : Neuvirth

by Sct112 on Aug 25, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

So Clark is Captain Clipboard in this scenario? And, how does it change given Fehr’s current injury?

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by winterion on Aug 25, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I was using the value list. Seeing as he has not rated among the 22 most valuable players, he will not receive a sweater for this game.

by Sct112 on Aug 25, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

With 140 precincts reporting, Matt Bradley is quite comfortably in the lead. This one looks to be in the books.

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by winterion on Aug 25, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions

Next vote should be interesting. Looks like three primary contenders.. Bourque, Juice, and AnGus, with Clark and Erskine starting to pick up momentum.

I’ll have to ready some Bourque vs. Jurcina and some Bourque vs. Gustafsson talking points.

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by winterion on Aug 25, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions