Ranking the Capitals: #29
by J.P. on Aug 31, 2009 9:05 PM EDT
45 comments
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 Mathieu Perreault to the list, and Joe Finley to the poll...
- Alex Ovechkin
- Nicklas Backstrom
- Mike Green
- Alexander Semin
- Semyon Varlamov
- Brooks Laich
- Karl Alzner
- Mike Knuble
- Tom Poti
- David Steckel
- John Carlson
- Jeff Schultz
- Brendan Morrison
- Tomas Fleischmann
- Michal Neuvirth
- Eric Fehr
- Boyd Gordon
- Jose Theodore
- Oskar Osala
- Shaone Morrisonn
- Brian Pothier
- Matt Bradley
- Anton Gustafsson
- Milan Jurcina
- Chris Bourque
- John Erskine
- Chris Clark
- Mathieu Perreault
If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's authors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.
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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 31, 2009 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Josh Godfrey. That shoots and Team Canada pedigree mean he at least has a little bit of trade value for a team in need of offensive help from the blueline. My personal prediction to be the next Teddy Ruth.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Aug 31, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Gordon. I’d be surprised if Godfrey ever makes it past the A. Wilson’s a good pick too.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t disagree with you but both the alternatives you listed are basically 4th line players. There isn’t the same kind of upside that Godfrey has, even if we doubt that Godfrey will ever reach it. If it’s between Gordon and Wilson it has to be Wilson.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 1, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, who is voting for Nylander? Show yourselves!
A little surprising it took Finley so long to get onto the poll, but I went with Holtby. No one else really strikes me as being very likely to become an impact player (although I was close to going with Bouchard given the lack of depth on the right side), and goal tending depth is always good to have in an organization.
To go along with the RW need, I suggest Andrew Gordon to go on the poll next (although I’m tempted to go with the alma mater pick in Wilson).
by Killer_Carlson on Aug 31, 2009 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m also with Holtby, for the same reasons
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Aug 31, 2009 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also Holtby.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Aug 31, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, who is voting for Nylander? Show yourselves!
More like shake yourselves.
I can only assume that he is important to those 4 voters in that by dumping him we save money towards the cap??? That has to be it, right?
by CP2Devil on Sep 1, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Admittedly I know very little about Holtby and less about his pedigree, but is his ceiling that high? I love the idea of goalie depth as much as the next guy, but a team needs as good a #1 as they can get, and a #2 that fits the bill. The problem with goalie depth is that goalies are hit or miss and therefore don’t hold much trade value. The Caps may have 3 #1’s in the system, but because Varly has the lead in development, we may never know that Neuvirth and Holtby are legit #1s at the NHL level.
So, where does Holtby’s value really lie? As trade bait? As a guy that can challenge for the #1 spot?
by Sct112 on Sep 1, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Was a time when the Caps had Hrivnak, Kolzig, Dafoe and Ace Carey all passing through within a few years. I’m not sure people then would have predicted that Kolzig would become the star of the bunch. I think for now Holtby’s value lies in seeing how he develops and what he can become. There’s space in the organization for three goalie prospects, at least for now. Last time, the Caps got a pretty good return from trading Dafoe and Carey and they got a star goalie for a decade. We can only hope things turn out that well.
With all that said, goalie prospects are definitely hit-or-miss. That’s why we’re having this conversation at 29.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here’s where I really see the value of having depth in goal: Let’s say both Tsarlamov and Neuvirth become NHL calibre goalies. Having Holtby allows the Caps to trade one of them for what would likely be a significant return, and still have a legit goalie prospect in the system. Just because Holtby is the 3rd best in the system doesn’t mean he has to be the first one traded, he provides the option of potentially trading one of the other guys who have higher value to other teams.
Also, Holtby provides a backup plan in case either (or both) of Varlavirth flames out and doesn’t turn into an NHL goalie.
by Killer_Carlson on Sep 1, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, because Holtby is a couple years behind the other guys he won’t be ready to move up until the ELCs expire on those guys. At that point GMGM can trade one, or let one go to an RFA offer sheet, and bring up Holtby to back up, sign a veteran backup, or continue to develop in Hershey. The lag breaks the parallel contract status that we currently have with Varlaverth.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 1, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It will be tough for both Varlamov and Neuvirth to actually become known NHL calibre goalies (while the Caps have their rights) because there is only one spot on the depth chart for a #1 goalie (Thats for you F&B). For instance, Varly will have to fall on his face in order for Neuvirth to get a significant look at the top level.
That said, I agree with the explanation that all of you guys have provided. There can’t be too much depth at goalie. Its not like were talking about the 7th most valuable guy on the team at this point, he is way down the list.
by Sct112 on Sep 1, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
…why I oughtta…
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 1, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Neuvirth could prove himself if Varlamov loses time to injury, which isn’t out of the question given his style and history. Or it’s very likely that the Caps could use Varlamov and Neuvirth as a 1 and 1a tandem to allow both goalies to work into the role of being a full time starter.
And given Varlavirth’s pedigrees, I don’t think that either has to prove themselves as full time starters to bring back a solid return in a trade. If one of them plays very well in a backup role they can still fetch a good return. Toskala never played in more than half the games for San Jose and I believe he brought back a 1st and 2nd round pick when he was traded to Toronto. If Holtby allows the Caps to trade Neuvirth or Varlamov for a 1st rounder that’s pretty good value.
by Killer_Carlson on Sep 1, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good points. I believe next year Varlaverth are going to do the tandem thing and fight for the longterm starter job. IIRC they are both on the last year of the ELC next season so it’s a good time for GMGM to determine which guy to lock up, and Holtby ensures that we still have a homegrown backup/prospect in the system.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 1, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn, that last one was a squeaker. JP, were you watching until someone broke a tie one way or the other?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Aug 31, 2009 9:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nope – poll closed at 9 regardless. I will note, however, that I didn’t vote until 8:58.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 1, 2009 6:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Article 1, Section 3: The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
JP for Vice President!
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You’re right. That dude looks like a lady.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
What the hell’s happened to Mary Kate Olsen?
http://wewintrophies.com/ - 12 major trophies in national and international competitions. Be a part of the next one.
by Bald Pollack on Sep 1, 2009 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Not for nothing, but it appears comments can’t be posted to the morning links. That or my browser is farked.
http://wewintrophies.com/ - 12 major trophies in national and international competitions. Be a part of the next one.
by Bald Pollack on Sep 1, 2009 7:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We’re looking into it – does some to be a problem.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 1, 2009 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cool. And Collins as the next victim?
http://wewintrophies.com/ - 12 major trophies in national and international competitions. Be a part of the next one.
by Bald Pollack on Sep 1, 2009 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was wondering what was happening over there. I was very concerned that it was 930 and nobody had made a joke about Ovie’s tramp stamp.
by Sct112 on Sep 1, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It might help if some of you guys email support@sbnation.com and report the problems you’re having as well.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Sep 1, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Problem is on SBN’s side. The link for the comments just points to http://www.japersrink.com/comments# and the link the to article points to just http://www.japersrink.com/. That’s why clicking them does nothing.
by zephyr on Sep 1, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m real late to the party.
But some of this ranking list will be hilarious to look at in a few years.
by Chimaera on Sep 1, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Even Jason Doig, and Kiwi would have been on the list at some point. The thought of that makes me laugh/cry.
by Sct112 on Sep 1, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
6, 10, 17, 18, 20-22.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 1, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holtby.
Dovgan or Godfrey next? Kugreshev (sp?) still is without a contract, correct?
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 Sep 1, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup. Contract list here. I’m pretty sure Kugryshev would already be ranked if he were eligible, probably above Gustafsson.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 1, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
after you vote and defend your selection in the comments
Emphasis added. Not just directed at you Edanger.
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 1, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted for him
because I found this cool image that is tangential and I’ve been waiting to use it forever. Also, GRIT.
Your favorite meme is dead
by Edanger6 on Sep 1, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And if ever makes it up to the Caps
I’m voting for his nickname to be “Il Generale”
Your favorite meme is dead
by Edanger6 on Sep 1, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec’ing a Criterion disc and fully supporting the push for that nickname.
http://wewintrophies.com/ - 12 major trophies in national and international competitions. Be a part of the next one.
by Bald Pollack on Sep 1, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So does the General have to be the Captain?
A man must have a code.
by Fehr and Balanced on Sep 1, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, he just needs to be a badass enforcer.
Your favorite meme is dead
by Edanger6 on Sep 1, 2009 8:38 PM EDT 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 8:36 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.
