Ranking the Capitals: #32

by J.P. on Sep 3, 2009 8:58 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 Tyler Sloan to the list, and Andrew Gordon to the poll...

Poll

Who's the next most valuable Cap?

Keith Aucoin

33 votes

Jay Beagle

10 votes

Francois Bouchard

31 votes

Joe Finley

10 votes

Alexandre Giroux

6 votes

Josh Godfrey

2 votes

Andrew Gordon

7 votes

Quintin Laing

19 votes

Michael Nylander

9 votes

Kyle Wilson

0 votes

127 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

Bouchard, with McNeill up next?

"You know you're an alcoholic when the bartender knows your name - and you've never been to that bar before."

by Bald Pollack on Sep 3, 2009 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

Bouchard. Don’t know anything about McNeill so I can’t comment on his game. It just seems like he’s been in the organization for a while and hasn’t turned any heads. I haven’t heard BB, Woods, or French ever really say anything about him. I say either Dovgan or Miskovic. Dovgan may not be developing too quickly but he hasn’t really been in a stable situation going back and forth from the ECHL and RSL/KHL (where he got little ice time, like most young prospects in those leagues). Other teams also thought enough of him to make a stink when we got him in the 7th round so there’s gotta be some talent there. Miskovic could be a late bloomer that was undervalued in his pre-lockout draft year (not huge, skating is the big part of his game from what I understand). Never saw him play and I don’t expect much but he must have done something for GMGM to even bother bringing in another D with the guys in the system currently.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Sep 3, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions

McNeill’s nothing more than to not make things too forward-heavy by picking a D, I’m kinda fine with Dovgan or Miskovic too.

"You know you're an alcoholic when the bartender knows your name - and you've never been to that bar before."

by Bald Pollack on Sep 4, 2009 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Keeping with my theme of gross-looking aging rock stars

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Sep 4, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions

Still a vote for Finley...

…after all, this organization needs someone who routinely destroys stuff… preferably obnoxious forwards (see Avery, Sean)….

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 4, 2009 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

But how much good does it do them if it’s on the fourth line in the AHL?

by David Getz on Sep 4, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Well to be fair, how many guys up there are going to be more than a 4th line/ bottom D pair guy? As you said the other day it looks like maybe Bouchard and maybe Godfrey. After that we’re just choosing a preference of possible grinder.

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Sep 4, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

An NHL grinder’s worth more than an AHL grinder, though. I’d take guys who have that potential (Beagle, Gordon) over Finley.

by David Getz on Sep 4, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree with this, but the point you are making is more about whether he can ever make the NHL than the particular role he’ll play. The votes at this point are “which of these guys is most likely to make it to a 4th line NHL role?”

A man must have a code.

by Rob Parker on Sep 4, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

heh: Nyls as grinder…

from the house that Red Jesus built

by bigonetimer on Sep 4, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s probably 3rd line/enforcer material at the AHL level, and at the NHL level…he’ll be the lawn-mower toss champion.

Actually, Finley will get a long look because of his size (he is huge) and because of that he has value. If the Caps put him up on the trading block, there’d be interest just due to his being big.

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Sep 4, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know that’s true. I think the value of size on blue line has greatly diminished post lockout and if the Capitals continue to play Finley as a forward they’re essentially sending the league the message ‘we don’t think he’s capable of playing defense’. Finley as a forward has very limited value because no one’s really seen Finley as a forward.

by David Getz on Sep 4, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

[Note: previous “Ranking the Capitals” posts can be found here."]

Where are 20 through 30?

by Scott in Shaw on Sep 4, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

I hide a bunch so that the entire FanPost sidebar isn’t clogged with them. Once they’d no longer appear there, I unhide them.

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

by J.P. on Sep 4, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

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