American Hero or Captain Canada?

by ns on Jan 22, 2010 2:36 PM EST

As of today, January 22nd, 2010, we are just 40 days away from the much anticipated trade deadline. There has been much discussion about what this team needs to solidify itself as a Stanley Cup contender, and with a very respectable amount of talent on the Capitals and Bears roster, a trade may aid in this endeavor.

I, however, have just one hypothetical question for my fellow Rinkers.

If come early March the Caps are negotiating a trade for an elite player that will undoubtedly strengthen the Caps, but the key to the trade is moving either John Carlson or Karl Alzner, who would you hold onto?

American Hero?

via cloutier39.files.wordpress.com

Captain Canada?

via www.cbc.ca

This is not a discussion on the rest of the trade details, but on the value you place each of these blue chip defensive prospects and who you'd be more, begrudgingly I'm sure, willing to trade away.

If you'd like to break it down a little further, would you change your mind if the player the Caps are looking to acquire was an elite forward or defenseman?

I realize this question is borderline Capitals blasphemy, but you never know what will happen, or what GMGM is cookin' up. He's a cooker upper.

And now, a poll..because polls are sexy:

Poll

Who would you hold onto?

John Carlson: smasher of all things Crosby and an American Hero

83 votes

Karl Alzner: humble Captain Canada

44 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.

Tweet Comment 27 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

J.C. FTW!

Don’t make my jersey irrelevant so soon after acquiring it!

But seriously, I have a quite possibly irrational fear that Alzner is a headcase and may flame out early. Carlson has the potential to be a perennial All-Star. Decent size, offensive ability and defensive responsibility like his don’t come around very often.

Game-Over Green? Canada-Over Carlson!

by Scott in Shaw on Jan 22, 2010 2:54 PM EST reply actions

USA all the way.

Alzner for Kovy, go go go go go

My ability to post is only surpassed by my ability to pinch pennies.

by jordanDC on Jan 22, 2010 3:15 PM EST reply actions

As much as I love my country, I prefer Alzner as a player.

"My face is my mask."

by Jake Shapiro on Jan 22, 2010 3:29 PM EST reply actions

Neither. I’m not trading away either of my defensive studs. Trading away defensemen is Don Waddell’s duty not McPhee’s.

A man gotta have a code

by Carl Putnam on Jan 22, 2010 3:32 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

This. Why trade one for an elite player when both are seemingly on the right track and both are above average d-men. Also, we have this guy named Ovechkin signed to a 13 year contract. Why bother rushing things?

Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.

Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.

Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.

by Whiter Mage on Jan 22, 2010 4:27 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t want to lose either for a rental.

I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place.

by zephyr on Jan 22, 2010 3:32 PM EST reply actions

not saying its a rental, though. just an elite player.

Semin is a Checkahhhh? Fleischmann is a Centahhhh?

by ns on Jan 22, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

just trying to pose a question to find out who people value more in the Capitals’ future.

Semin is a Checkahhhh? Fleischmann is a Centahhhh?

by ns on Jan 22, 2010 3:47 PM EST up reply actions

I guess that should have been your poll then, not who should the Capitals trade.

I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place.

by zephyr on Jan 23, 2010 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

All the people I consider “elite” would be too expensive to sign if the core of the team is going to stay intact meaning I think they would be a rental.

I used to work in a fire hydrant factory. You couldn't park anywhere near the place.

by zephyr on Jan 23, 2010 2:06 PM EST up reply actions

Real American Hero

If we trade John Carlson, the terrorists win

by crafty on Jan 22, 2010 4:06 PM EST reply actions 6 recs

rather keep them both (obviously) but if I had to part with one, I guess it would be Alzner. Carlson has shown a bit more offensive upside, but trading Alzner would be a gut punch.

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by Sombrero Guy on Jan 22, 2010 4:57 PM EST reply actions

If the key to making the trade is John Carlson or Karl Alzner, I don’t make the trade. I know that sounds glib, but I honestly can’t imagine a situation where I move either.

That said, I think Alzner means more to the Caps right now because I think the team needs defensive upside more than offensive upside, and I think he has more of that.

by David Getz on Jan 22, 2010 5:02 PM EST reply actions

I’m with you. I don’t think I would move either of these guys. There are, however, other candidates residing between the pipes that could inspire a similar FanPost.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

by bigmac1124 on Jan 22, 2010 8:51 PM EST up reply actions

If we have to move a stellar prospect, I’m thinking about two who wear funny looking masks.

Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.

Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.

Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.

by Whiter Mage on Jan 23, 2010 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t move either unless we are getting a stud D that we’ll have for his prime. If CHI wants to move Seabrook or NSH wants to move Suter or Weber then we can talk. But not for a rental. And then if we are getting one of those studs, it would depend. If it’s Seabrook maybe you trade Alzner because he’s more defensive; if it’s Suter maybe you trade Carlson because you’re getting back more offense. Both scenarios are unlikely though, and Green/Schultz/Alzner/Carlson as our D Corps makes me giddy, so I’d prefer not to break it up.

Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.

by Rob Parker on Jan 22, 2010 5:41 PM EST reply actions

What are your thoughts on Orlov?

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Jan 22, 2010 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

Don’t know enough about him because I haven’t really seen him play, but behind Carlson and Green I’m not pining for a one-way D. If he can be responsible in his own end then sure, I’d love more O from the D. But given the current roster realities we aren’t going to be a team that dresses a PP specialist as the 6 D. He is undersized but doesn’t mind the physical play, and from all accounts he can skate well. Hopefully he pans out as a solid player, but with Green and Carlson I suspect his true value may be as trade bait. I guess, depending on how long it takes him to develop, he could be a nice cheap replacement in the event the salary cap forces out one of our quality D.

Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.

by Rob Parker on Jan 23, 2010 12:30 AM EST up reply actions

If he’s got the footspeed, I guess it’ll depend on his willingness to play in his own end and his hockey sense. With the rules as currently constructed, I can’t see having another D that can skate and move the puck against a forecheck as a bad thing, especially given the trouble the Caps had with determined teams willing to dump and chase, both this season and last.

If we don’t get him NHL time, I’m not sure how valuable he is in trade – he’s playing in the KHL now and weren’t there concerns getting him across the pond? I thought that was why we were able to grab him in the second, I’d heard he had 1st round skills.

Now, if he gets here and plays well, you could be right about the trade thing. Once he shows he can play (and is willing to play) in the NHL, I bet his value goes way up and McPhee starts making or taking calls.

Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!

by Knee high to a duck on Jan 23, 2010 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

Good points about his willingness to play in NA affecting his trade value. He definitely fell because he’s Russian. Of course, I completely agree that if you can skate you can play, but I’m a little concerned that if you can’t play D in the KHL then you can’t play in the NHL. He’s probably looking at a year in HER, at least, but he definitely sounds like he can play.

Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.

by Rob Parker on Jan 25, 2010 1:19 AM EST up reply actions

None of the above, you can never have enough stud defensemen especially young and full of promise.

by DonCaps819 on Jan 22, 2010 10:31 PM EST reply actions

Exactly

Problem being is when they all start asking for huge contracts

by washfan29 on Jan 22, 2010 11:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Prefer not to trade either. If I had to, it would depend on the return.

by Racin23 on Jan 23, 2010 8:59 AM EST reply actions

Why has no one yet photoshopped Carlson onto a “The Patriot” movie poster?

And I refuse to vote. Sorry, ns – it’s like asking me whether I’d prefer to lose my left or right testicle.

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

by J.P. on Jan 23, 2010 9:46 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I doubt either will be moved. The Caps have three young goaltenders, and there will be teams out there looking for that. I could see Neuvy or Holtby moving, there’s no need to keep 3 young goaltenders around…

Let's go Caps!

by MikeL-Pivonka on Jan 24, 2010 10:50 AM EST reply actions