Ranking the Capitals: #41

by J.P. on Sep 13, 2009 9:22 AM 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 Joe Finley to the list...

Poll

Who's the next most valuable Cap?

Trevor Bruess

21 votes

Viktor Dovgan

5 votes

Jake Hauswirth

3 votes

Boyd Kane

0 votes

Patrick McNeill

1 votes

Zach Miskovic

9 votes

Michael Nylander

14 votes

Steve Pinizzotto

11 votes

Kyle Wilson

8 votes

72 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

Now we’re getting to the point where I literally have no idea.

by red army line on Sep 13, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

Kyle Wilson’s low point has to have been being released by the San Antonio Rampage (AHL) in November of 2006. But within a couple of weeks he was signed by Hershey, who faced an inordinate number of injuries in the 06-07 season. Wilson fit right in, scoring exactly a point a game — 54 points (24 G, 30 A) in 54 games for Hershey. He was just what the doctor ordered, and he won the Bears’ rookie of the year award.

Since then, Wilson has played the full 80 games for the Bears each of the last two seasons. He hasn’t quite kept up his point-a-game pace, but he has been a valuable scorer — 61 points (30 G, 31 A) two years ago; 58 points (28 G, 30 A) last year. He’s done it with positive plus-minus and a low penalty minute total (31 PIMs last year was his career high).

If I remember right, when he joined the team, he was a bit of a pure offensive player, but his game has rounded out the last two years. He’s 24, so he’s not really an NHL prospect, but he could definitely step in and fill in for a few games in the NHL. If he’s a third line center this year (behind Aucoin and Perrault), then the Bears will once again be just about the deepest team down the middle in the AHL.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Sep 13, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

Very nice job, but where was from 2002-06? I think it’s funny that a guy that was good enough to get drafted from college is ranked lower than Bruess, who was an FA signing after college. I think it just has to do with Bruess being more familiar to the voters because he was signed more recently.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Sep 13, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Wilson was drafted by Minnesota in the ninth round (a round that no longer exists, I think) of the 2002 draft. He played 4 years at Colgate U, where he consistently improved and scored more than a point a game his senior year, 05-06 (39 GP, 23 G, 18 A, 41 P).

The following year he played just 7 games for San Antonio of the AHL before being released. Hershey signed him, and the rest is history.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Sep 13, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Does this mean we’re out of people to add? Shame it’s 49 and not 50.. would have to think there’s at least an honorary spot on this list for a particularly tall goaltender who knows his XML from his XSLT.

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by winterion on Sep 13, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

Although I am glad that he doesn’t count against the 50 contract limit.

SDR returning to juniors will put the team at 48 contracts. Is there anyone else who might come off the list soon? (No need to rehash the obvious candidate being discussed in another thread). I’d imagine C-Bo is a candidate for a trade if he doesn’t make the team, and we’ve speculated a lot about an NHL defenseman being traded…

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Sep 13, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think one of the D from last year is going to be moved unless Alzner and Carlson don’t look ready. Another prospect could be part of a package deal, or not, so it’s hard to project but I’m more confident that a D will be moved than anything other option.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Sep 13, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully Chris makes a convincing enough argument to put somebody else on that theoretical trading block… but if he does, who might that be?

Winterion Game Studios
Visit us online at : http://winterion.com

by winterion on Sep 13, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Aucoin, Laing, and Giroux are his competition, but each of those guys just ends up in Hershey if they don’t make the Caps.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Sep 13, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

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