Singing the Silly Season Blues
by Becca H on Jul 6, 2010 9:30 AM EDT
343 comments
Every July the NHL shifts from its sleepy, post-Cup haze into what is widely known as the "Silly Season" - so dubbed because of the temporary insanity some teams seem to go through once July 1 rolls around. Free agents go on the market and within minutes we see multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts being tossed around at alarming speed, with names both expected and unexpected drawing the big money and bigger bidding wars.
The silliness isn't limited to the League's general managers, though. It infects the fans, makes them experience their own passing insanity as they wait for their team to make that one big move that will insure them the Cup (even though it rarely does).
Patience is a characteristic most fans do not readily possess - especially during the long summer, when discussion and conjecture is all we have. It's understandable for frustration to set in when teams all around us appear to be improving their rosters while the Capitals are content to merely watch from the sidelines. Some are even ready to send George McPhee packing if he doesn't do something soon; his "inaction" signaling to these fans that he has no clue what's wrong with this team or how to fix it. We don't see action so we assume McPhee is blind to the needs of the team and therefore useless.
But McPhee might end up being one of the smarter GMs this year for ultimately doing nothing.
For one thing, there is the fact that this UFA class is one of the weaker ones in recent history. We've debated the possibility of guys like Matthew Lombardi, Saku Koivu or Matt Cullen anchoring our second line, of guys like Anton Volchenkov or Zbynek Michalek holding down the fort on the blue line, and all are good players in their own right. The problem is the lack of elite talent available this year has elevated these players (and others like them) to a status that they simply don't deserve, with paychecks and contract lengths to match. Lombardi is not the next Nicklas Backstrom. Paul Martin is not Nicklas Lidstrom. Good but not great, worth a look but not worth the hefty multi-year contracts many of them are receiving.
Even if there was a good fit, McPhee is bidding against teams with more cap space and/or more desperation, looking for slight upgrades while other teams seek to fill gaping holes. The teams that have made the biggest splashes often have the biggest needs, and for many the biggest need is on defense. Losing Sergei Gonchar weakened a Pittsburgh defense that still hadn't recovered from losing Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi, so they went out and got Martin and Michalek. The Senators were going to lose Volchenkov so they targeted Gonchar; the Devils lost Martin so they picked up Volchenkov and Henrik Tallinder.
All of them made these moves - and most overpaid to do so - because they had no other options.
They don't have guys like Marcus Johansson and John Carlson waiting in the wings; they don't have the luxury of a Mathieu Perreault or a Karl Alzner or a Michal Neuvirth, a new wave of talent that has grown up in their system and is ready to make the jump to the NHL. For them, there are no other options. The Caps have options. They are in an enviable position where they can afford to be patient, to make the right move instead of making a move right now.
Obviously that's not to suggest there aren't areas of concern, but every team has them - and just because the Caps haven't addressed them yet doesn't mean they won't. More importantly they, unlike other teams, have maintained flexibility to address them. Could the team use an upgrade on defense? Perhaps, but even without it they're likely going to have at least one guy in a third-pair role with the talent to be in the top-four on any other team. Could the team use another second-line center? Perhaps, but there's no guarantee that Johansson or Perreault aren't perfectly capable of filling that role, and if they're not the team has the flexibility to go out and find someone else by the trade deadline.
Next summer, Brooks Laich, Alexander Semin, Mike Knuble, Matt Bradley and others will be free agents; Karl Alzner, Mathieu Perreault, Michal Neuvirth and Semyon Varlamov will be restricted free agents. Depending upon the outcome of the next few weeks of negotiations and arbitration, Jeff Schultz, Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann could be free agents again next summer as well. And looking two summers ahead, they've got Mike Green and John Carlson to worry about.
Because of that, flexibility is key; not handing out huge chunks of money and long-term deals, particularly on guys whose talent does not match what we already have, is key. Had the Caps committed six years to Volchenkov, for example, they would have created a situation where they'd ultimately have to move one of the young defensemen or a goalie - and two years of Volchenkov when the Caps are good isn't worth potentially losing ten years of Alzner or Carlson.
This team as it is built right now might win a Cup, they might not - even the best teams on paper often don't come away with the prize, though, and it's better to have a fighting chance for years to come than to blow the bank account and future cap space on players who ultimately are not worth it.
Above all else, however, is the fact that it's only the first week of July. The season doesn't start July 1 and end July 2, the Cup isn't handed out in August and there is plenty of time - there's time to let the "unproven" guys prove themselves, to see what we have and what we don't have, and turn this team into a true contender...by playing it smart.
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Well said. When Matt Cullen is going for $3.5 million a year, it’s hard to criticize GMGM for standing pat.
"Now wait a minute. This is just purely a social call. You know, just two adults getting a stew on, man."
by The Ghost of Bebop on Jul 6, 2010 9:42 AM EDT reply actions
When Olli Jokinen gets $3 million a season it’s hard to criticize GMGM for standing pat.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
When Olli Jokinen gets $3 million a season and a NMC it’s hard to criticize GMGM for standing pat.
FTFY
I ponder Sutter, and I thank all that his holy for McPhee.
That Jokinen contract makes Erskine’s puzzling extension look like a whimsical lark.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I question it for Sutter and the Flames given Olli’s previous experience there. But I don’t think it’s an outrageous contract at all for someone with his numbers (albeit in steady decline). Particularly given the dearth of available free agent C options.
Respectfully disagree. $3MM/year with a NMC is way overpaying for someone in steady decline who has already not worked out in Calgary.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
who has already not worked outin Calgaryanywhere.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Heh.
He had some decent seasons in FLA, no?
Recently he’s been in a nosedive, of course.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
He put up numbers in FLA, but the team never went anywhere. There were whispers about his personality not helping out in the locker room. When Yotes signed him they made it a point to say what a quality guy he was and how not to believe rumors. Fast forward less than a year later and he’s getting shipped out.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
$3 mil a year for only 2 years isn’t a horrible gamble to make on a guy with Jokinen’s talent. It’s not a good move, but it doesn’t rank up there with Sutter’s worst (and it certainly isn’t as bad as the contract he got back when he decided to trade Jokinen in the first place).
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 7, 2010 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Well put. I’m a little flummoxed by the FA inaction hysteria among some Caps fans right now. Certainly, there were some potential nice fits in this year’s class, but I didn’t really even see someone like Knuble (who seemed like such an obvious fit from the moment 2008-09 ended) who could come in and make a profound difference. And profound differences matter when you’re paying someone an enormous contract that spans 4-6 years.
This season, the drumbeat of a question is why the Caps aren’t signing any free agents. In that respect, this column is an excellent response. But it is prologue to next season’s burning question if the Caps go one-and-done again…
Did the Caps draft/trade well enough?
And that question is not going to have a simple answer, for it will beg the larger question… can this team win as currently constituted? Last year and this might be the best chance the Caps will have for a generation to win a Cup. They’ve had advantageous drafting positions since 2004 (12 first round draft picks from 2004-2010), have a lot of first round draft picks on their roster, they have a lot of prospects who have learned how to win in Hershey ready to make the jump to the big time. If not now, when? You’d have to start wondering… never?
2010-2011 is a big year for this franchise.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 6, 2010 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 7 recs
I completely agree. This season is kind of do-or-die in a lot of ways – it’ll determine how long Boudreau sticks around, it’ll decide whether the current system is really the right way to win, it’ll decide whether we keep hording these young guys and re-sign some others.
I’d say the only thing we can assume is that Ovechkin and Backstrom are here for the long haul (which is fine, because those two have the talent to adapt to any system – of that I’m confident).
2010-2011 is a big year for this franchise.
I’m you 100%. This is the year to see what pieces this franchise truly has. Decisions on who to sign next off season and who to either let go or trade will be key.
I always felt that 2011-12 was when the window for a Cup would open. Last year a crack opened, in part, due to poor moves and play by the other teams in the East.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
Agreed, and all the more reason not to lock into a guy that might be a fit for the current squad but not necessarily the contract you want to be stuck carrying if things change (see Nylander under Hanlon vs. Boudreau).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
The Caps have demonstrated a consistent behavior with respect to FA’s, at least recently… second/third tier players or players with something to prove on short contracts (Theodore, Knuble, Morrison). By definition, that is going to mean guys like Volchenkov, Hamhuis, Martin — guys in their late 20’s looking for a long term deal in what will be their prime earning years — are not Washington-bound.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Short or not, Theo’s $4.5 mill/year was no “something to prove” contract. We were scrambling after Huet gave us the “it’s not you, it’s me” excuse and ran out of dodge like a cheap, penny-pinching harlot. Unfortunately, GM GM’s prudence proved the wiser in that one case, but that may only serve to fortify his UFA aversion this off-season. This would be a mistake, however, when you have guys like Madden still available on the cheap (around $2.75 mill) with a plethora of Stanley Cup rings and enough grit to make Flash look like an over-priced tooth fairy. (This assumes Flash gets at least $2.5 mill in arbitration.)
This season is kind of do-or-die in a lot of ways – it’ll determine how long Boudreau sticks around
I may not agree with everything Becca H said, but she makes some great points and I couldn’t agree more with her statement above. Regardless of what Mr. McPhee does, Boudreau’s almost guaranteed to have an at least mediocre if not above-average defenses and one of the most prolific offenses in the league next season. If he fails to take us at least to the third round again, I think it might be time to bid adieu to our beloved Bruce of Wilson Boulevard, along with his 13-15 playoff record.
That’s even tough to write, but when you have a guy like Mark French who has won back-to-back Calders and has proven that he has the mental adeptness to completely change his team’s style to adapt to the opponent (most recently exhibited by the Bears’ nearly divine response to going down 0-2 to the Stars in the Calder finals only to roar back and win it all)… you have to begin asking yourself, is Scott Walker as clairvoyant as he seems? If I had to choose between a man who has breathed new life in the the regular season of our franchise again and an unfamiliar who has proven repetitively to be a dynamic (albeit AHL) playoff success, I have to objectively go with the latter.
If this past year unintentionally “cracked open” our Stanley Cup window, then history shows us that we have at most 2-3 years to seal the deal. You can’t win a cup with only two people, and only Ovie and Backstrom are signed beyond two years from now at current. Now is not the time to be overly rambunctious with free agents, but neither is it time to be docile and put all our eggs in the young player development basket.
If this past year unintentionally "cracked open" our Stanley Cup window, then history shows us that we have at most 2-3 years to seal the deal.
I don’t think that’s true. Look at New Jersey, Detroit, or Colorado.
by David M. Getz on Jul 7, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Dynasties aside, the 2-3 year window has historically been the case in beyond the Original Six and Gretzky-high-scoring eras, mostly due to the salary cap. You have to consider that teams like Detroit and even New Jersey have such storied success, that people are willing to sign there at much-reduced salaries (see Hossa’s short-term deal with Red Wings, Kovalchuk’s consideration of Devils for millions less than the Thrashers, etc.). Recent perennial contenders we may be, but dynastic powerhouses with Stanley Cup banners we are not. Keep in mind these guys are athletes, and say what we may about their seemingly greedy tendencies, at the core all athletes are driven to win. If our Cup runs in the next 2-3 seasons don’t end in success, we’ll be rebuilding around Ovie/Backstrom all over again when nearly all our R/UFA contracts run out in the summer of 2013.
You have to consider that teams like Detroit and even New Jersey have such storied success, that people are willing to sign there at much-reduced salaries (see Hossa’s short-term deal with Red Wings, Kovalchuk’s consideration of Devils for millions less than the Thrashers, etc.).
That is absolutely not the reason why the Wings and Devils had sustained success. Sure, Hossa signed a friendly deal but the Wings were a dominant team for a decade before there was even a salary cap. They sustained their dominance by making sure they had a good pipeline of prospects to replace aging veterans and being patient with those prospects. When Stevie Y, Hull, Chelios, Fedorov, etc. got too old they were replaced with homegrown talent like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Franzen, etc. The Caps are setting themselves to do the same thing: have a stocked farm to be able to handle guys aging or becoming too expensive to stay. They did get one cup by buying HOFers like Hull, Robitaille and Hasek, but that model is not sustainable in the salary cap era.
And who was signing on the cheap with the Devils through their heyday? Kovalchuk is completely irrelevant, since the Devils are already clearly past their age of dominance. The Devils won for so long by having a strong system and culture pushed throughout their organization, and they acquired prospects and players that fit into that system. They won by making the right player moves, not the splashy ones.
Now that there is a salary cap this focus on the farm system and getting the right players and not just the biggest names is even more important. Obviously the Caps aren’t a dynasty, but I’m not sure how you can write off their ability to do so. They have one of the best first lines in the league locked up for the next decade, a deep NHL squad and an even deeper farm to help support their stars for the forseeable future. The team has problems to address, but there are much better ways to do so than with big free agent moves.
If our Cup runs in the next 2-3 seasons don’t end in success, we’ll be rebuilding around Ovie/Backstrom all over again when nearly all our R/UFA contracts run out in the summer of 2013.
By avoiding long term big money UFA contracts the Caps are making sure that they don’t have to rebuild in 2013: they are maintaining the cap flexibility to resign their R/UFAs.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 7, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
No one said it was
You missed the point entirely. That’s not the reason they sustained success, it’s why they’re able to lure highly talented individuals to play for them for much-reduced rates, comparatively speaking.
We’re not in that position so, in my opinion, we may have to identify our window and find a more dynamic way of padding our ability to exploit it being that our repertoire of resources are more narrow than those who have long-standing franchises of success.
I honestly have no idea what you are trying to say with this post. I saw:
You have to consider that teams like Detroit and even New Jersey have such storied success, that people are willing to sign there at much-reduced salaries (see Hossa’s short-term deal with Red Wings, Kovalchuk’s consideration of Devils for millions less than the Thrashers, etc.).
and it sure looks like you are saying that DET and NJ had storied success because people are willing to sign there for cheap. If that’s not the case I apologize.
Still, both those teams got that storied success before people signed there on the cheap. My entire argument about how they built their dynasty and how it translates to what the Caps are doing still stands.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 7, 2010 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
No worries
No, I think quite the opposite is true. Detroit, as you well pointed out, is an absolutely perfect example of how to have an incredibly balanced approach to everything. Limiting analysis to post-lockout for Cap considerations, you can see how they have intricately balanced their elite status with below-market signings, while simultaneously committing much-coveted draft larceny (i.e., Datsyk, Zetterberg, etc.). We do a lot well, extremely well, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to learn that could help us get past our 1-and-done (or two, occasionally) complex.
The team has problems to address, but there are much better ways to do so than with big free agent moves.
And who got you all riled up about big free agent moves? I hope you don’t think that was advocated in the response, because it wasn’t. Not unless you consider the acquisition of a 2nd line center by way of someone with John Madden’s experience and skillset (at around $2.75 million) a “big free agent move.”
Well given your long comment above you clearly are upset about GMGM not being more active in FA. I’m not the least bit worried about the lack of signings, there is plenty of time to get things done.
Madden is a nice player, but paying $2.75 million (for likely multiple years) for a 3rd line center doesn’t get me excited. Not when the Caps have bigger issues to figure out at 2C and on D.
Of all our iniquities ignorance may be the worst
by Killer_Carlson on Jul 7, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
And he was a 4C for CHI.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Not upset and sure McPhee will do something eventually, just don’t want a repeat gamble of BMo (as much as a great guy he is). Wait too long and all the talent is poached by others while we put all our hope for our 2C in one guy who’s terrible at face-offs and disappears in the playoffs, one guy who’s just barely over .4 points per game and streaky at best, and another guy who hasn’t even played in the NHL yet.
Still – I respect his willingness to stand by his conviction and not be “lured” by overly-lucrative and long-term deals. At least we can agree that the Caps do have issues to figure out at 2C and on D.
Agreed. I agree with Becca – we’ve got too many unknowns to proclaim that we have no chance at the Cup this year as I have seen many Caps fans (some even on this board) do. It’s July, and not even halfway through.
Maybe that’s what’s bothering a lot of people. We as sports fans don’t like unknowns. We want guarantees, especially when it’s for something that means so much. But the fact is that there are no guarantees, whether we like that or not.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
They are in an enviable position where they can afford to be patient, to make the right move instead of making a move right now.
This line is my favorite. Perfect summation: “right move” vs “a move right now.”
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
It’s the difference between finding “Mr./Ms. Right” and “Mr./Ms. Right Now”
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 6, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
This gets a rec, though it invites a sexual metaphor for free agency that could head for the gutters really fast.
Hanlon's Razor: Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.
Mike Ricci was a free agent once…
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Assuming all the RFAs re-sign and no more UFA signings, the Caps average age drops from over 29 to under 26 (based on the prospective roster for next season), good for youngest in the NHL. So the question is: is talented youth better than less talented experience?
I think the answer is “you need to strike the right balance,” and that every case is different. Surely, the Caps could use more experience on the blueline than what they currently have on the roster.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I think the answer is "you need to strike the right balance," and that every case is different.
I agree. And I unfortunately think GMGM’s plan for the team doesn’t have a good balance and doesn’t involve enough veteran balance.
I think playoff disappointments speak to this, among other issues.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Believe it or not, the Caps are actually one of the older teams in the League – they could use a steady veteran on the blue line, with that I’ll agree, but I think there was a decent balance up front.
That age calculation is still factoring in Walker, Corvo, Theo, Nylander, Bmo, Belanger, Laing etc. If you click on the team listing, you’ll see them all still factored in.
I suspect the roster as of October 1 2010 will be much younger once all those 30+ guys are taken away :-)
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 Jul 6, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s probably the truth. For our players, 4 of our top 6 wingers (Ovi, Semin, Fehr, Flash, and Fehr) are 26 years old or younger. Laich just turned 27. Knuble is our only grey beard there. For our centers, Backstrom is 22 going on 23. MP is 23, as well. Gordon turns 27 in October.
On defense, 4 of our top 6 are under 25 years old. I’m referring to Green, Alzner, Carlson, and Schultz. Our two goalies are both only 22.
Rocking the Red since 1975
of the defensemen who signed free agent deals, which one(s) would you have taken? Most were fairly pricey, including 3 or more years, and many had NTCs and NMCs. Of the d-men still on the market, who would you be interested in, and at what terms?
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
I keep coming back to this paragraph:
Even if there was a good fit, McPhee is bidding against teams with more cap space and/or more desperation, looking for slight upgrades while other teams seek to fill gaping holes. The teams that have made the biggest splashes often have the biggest needs, and for many the biggest need is on defense. Losing Sergei Gonchar weakened a Pittsburgh defense that still hadn’t recovered from losing Hal Gill and Rob Scuderi, so they went out and got Martin and Michalek. The Senators were going to lose Volchenkov so they targeted Gonchar; the Devils lost Martin so they picked up Volchenkov and Tallinder.
It’s so spot-on that the teams that have landed the big name D’s were really just patching up holes, and at a premium. Sure, the Pens upgraded a little. Devils too (don’t forget, they lost Oduya as well). But while the Caps didn’t have and lose the big names that those other teams did, they’re plugging their holes with Alzner and Carlson – cheap, good and getting better.
The rest of the East is playing musical D’s, while the Caps are getting markedly better and cheaper from within, while not mortgaging the future.
Is there work to be done? Of course. And there’s a time and a place to go all-in. But this summer, based on the names available and the projected costs ahead, is most definitely not that time.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 6, 2010 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
this summer, based on the names available and the projected costs ahead, is most definitely not that time
I really think that, considering the salary cap and the way GMGM operates, any holes this team has going forward will be taken care of via trade, and I think the Caps will be a big player at (or before) the trade deadline. People also forget that UFAs are only one way for contenders to take the next step, and in this day and age of long-term deals and heavy cap hits, trades are going to be huge.
this reminds me of something Chris Burton said the other day. There’s a reason the Caps finished with 121 points. Now they’ve upgraded with Alzner and Carlson moving to DC full time, all without shopping the inflated UFA market. The Caps are a very good team who just may have gotten even better.
Obviously, the holes at center need to be addressed. But I haven’t seen any remotely sane deals this past week, never mind, as Becca has so rightly pointed out, there are a lot of core and role guys who become free agents of various sorts at the end of this upcoming season. And I know I’m not the only one who would be mighty pissed if someone like Brooks Laich or Jeff Schultz had to find another team because GMGM was handing out $4 million contracts with NMCs like candy in July ’10.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
They ARE a very good team – holes to fill, yes, but they didn’t lose in the playoffs because they weren’t talented. That’s for damn sure. As DMG put it a few months ago, this team needs a scalpel – not a pickaxe. Signing one of those big money, long-term guys would be the equivalent of a pickaxe, if not now then next summer.
And that free agent list for the new season has a lot of centers on it. Much better to choose off of the larger menu if the current centers can’t fulfill that 2nd line center role reliably enough.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s a reason the Caps finished with 121 points. Now they’ve upgraded with Alzner and Carlson moving to DC full time, all without shopping the inflated UFA market. The Caps are a very good team who just may have gotten even better.
I think he’s right, but this is the part that worries me a little. The Caps are putting a lot of faith in young guys who are unproven and some guys who are a little older and coming off of career years. I don’t think anyone on the team played particularly over their heads last year but there are some key assumptions underlying this roster that I hope hold true – that Carlson/Alzner are ready to be full-time D on a cup contender, that Flash/MP/Mackan can get it done at C, that the young goalies will hold up, etc. I think 2 of the 3 are pretty good bets and the 2/3C will be addressed, but it worries me. I don’t think there was much that could be done about this in FA, though, at least not until the demands get more reasonable.
I think it’s tricky to talk about guys being unproven – partly because we’ve seen the difference young guys can make on a Cup-winning team, both this year and really throughout NHL history, and partly because in order to become proven you eventually have to put your faith in them. I have more faith in these guys getting it done after a full season with the team than I do when we just throw them in during the playoffs, you know?
One of those cases where the regular season doesn’t mean [Franceschetti], really – it’s important to the development of our young players.
I’ve definitely been concerned about the team Over-youthing this season, but the truth is we’ve seen that BB doesn’t play these call-ups like we the fans often would like him to.
So, even tho I think the Caps need more toughness and experience than what the current roster shows, maybe it’s better the team is loaded at the start of the season with people that need ice time in DC to show what they’ve got over more than infrequent stints.
I still think people are going to try and roll “us” with all this youth and softness.
I also see it another way…there’s been a decided difference the last two seasons in the playoff success of the NHL and AHL clubs, and I completely believe that the Caps management is looking for an infusion of Hershey talent to change what may becoming a possible problem in the DC lockerroom in terms of how they respond to adversity. If the off-season follows through with that infusion, we’re looking at Alzner, Carlson, and Neuvirth in important roles (with Neuvy probably platooning with Varlamov), and Perreault and possibly A. Gordon in important support roles that could grow if they succeed.
I don’t think that aspect should be taken lightly. When you get one or two players from the system, it’s one thing, but when you’ve got a small horde coming in en masse, there’s a more than good chance it could have an effect.
I see it as McPhee is clearing the decks on the roster so that the young guys can get solid experience. Why bring someone in now who will just block the development of a younger player. Then later in the season if the youth/inexperience is showing, finalize a trade or two to bring in the pieces needed.
It’s risky to go with so much youth I agree. But it also strikes me as time to let them have a real shot at the team.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
LOL. Perhaps we both just like restating the same essential points but with different emphases.
I would be feeling a lot more worry if this was the lineup come spring—no depth, lots of inexperience, no proven 2nd line center. I guess I can’t help but feel that this is a major trade season even as I recognize that McPhee is loathe to part with assets.
I agree with most people here that this is a big year for the team—it’s a true window, do or die in the attempt. And expect big changes if they can’t do more in the playoffs.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Obviously, the holes at center need to be addressed. But I haven’t seen any remotely sane deals this past week
I would argue that Nashville’s Lombardi deal is in the realm of remotely sane, but a) I’m biased and b) this isn’t the thread for it.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Jul 6, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s certainly not the worst deal of the offseason, that’s for sure – that’s about the max I would have given him. But if the Caps stood their ground on nothing more than a 1-2 year deal, that 3 year aspect would obviously be the dealbreaker.
Considering the hole that needed filling after Arnott left and the amount of spending money Poile had at hand I have no issue with it. The terms are just long enough until Wilson hits his prime and is able to play 1C full-time. Relative to Nashville, Lombardi’s cheap – Erat and Legwand get paid more to do less than he does, and have NTCs.
In short, Poile traded an old, broken Arnott for a 2nd rounder, prospect, and Matt Lombardi – while shaving a full million off his payroll. Also acquired Parent and Kostitsyn for free. Not bad.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Jul 6, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. I think Poile’s done some good work this year, very unusual for him to be this active but he’s doing it in a smart way. I don’t think 3 years is a big deal for most teams and I think for you guys it’s absolutely fine – for the Caps though, with a glut of centers waiting to make the jump, it doesn’t really make sense.
Ok, Lombardi is a sane deal for Nashville. A very sound, very sane deal. Just wasn’t the right deal for the Caps.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Right – it would’ve been highly foolish to give a 28 year old 3 years when Mackan or MP can do what he does in a year for much cheaper.
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Jul 6, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Usually I discount everything McPhee says publicly, but the way he has talked up Marcus Johansson has me believing that the team really does believe he can be that good. Now, he may not be the #2 C answer this year ( I can’t believe he’s that NHL-ready), but it sure does appear that they’ve got his name written in for that spot in 2011-12. If that’s the case, they’re not going to look to sign anyone beyond a one-year deal which automatically precludes the Lombardis and the Cullens of the world.
I can’t believe he’s that NHL-ready
You really just never know, though. Backstrom jumped from the SEL to the NHL and did pretty well as a 1C his first year out. Mackan’s not at the same level but we don’t need him to be – we just need him to be able to skate on the second line. Is it possible he’ll take more time to adjust? Sure. But I have to believe GMGM has a reason for talking him up this much.
Agreed. I’m hoping to go out to Kettler next week and come away saying the same thing as McPhee. If Mackan really is that good right now, that would make my summer.
Yeah, about that (and slightly off-topic) – for some reason my work isn’t too keen on me taking a week off now and then another week for vacation next month…weird. So I’m limited to Saturday, and I expect full, detailed reports with pictures from anyone going throughout the week.
Ovechwin and I will be there all week. We’ll be doing daily updates, and, hopefully, photos.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
I’m hoping to swing by at least 1 of the days.
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 Jul 6, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Different situations. It’s sane for you guys because you can keep him as a part of the offensive core for 4 years. We can’t so it would be insane.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, we discussed that in the above chain. I brought it up because it sounded like RB was evaluating the deals from a league-wide perspective:
I haven’t seen any remotely sane deals this past week
On the Forecheck: preaching the Predators' gospel to the unwashed masses.
Twitter/Cycle Like the Sedins
by Chris Burton on Jul 6, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
If there’s one thing DP isn’t, it’s rash.
He’s had a pretty good off season to date. So has GM, in my books.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
George has had a good offseason so far, but these 3 negotiations/arbs are pretty crucial to ensuring it stays that way. Others have said it, but getting creamed in arbitration by 14’s agent and forcing George’s hand (to walk away and get nothing for Flash) would not be terribly satisfying.
More norrissey, less morrissey
Just on point of principle, though. Keeping him just to avoid losing an asset for nothing would be cutting off the nose to spite the face.
I’d love to have a pick back for Flash. But I’d settle for just having him gone.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
by fat_daddyo on Jul 6, 2010 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If the Penguins didn’t sign Michalek and Martin, they would have had to promote… Ben Lovejoy and, well, who exactly? And Lovejoy would not get top-four minutes, so who on the parent roster gets top-four other than Orpik? Letang, Goligoski. They do not have anyone else remotely ready in their system and don’t have a pair of defensemen anywhere in their system with the upside of a Carlson or Alzner.
New Jersey… they don’t sign Volchenkov and Tallinder, they might have had to promote… Matt Corrente? Tyler Eckford? Well, that would be a way to go.
The Caps grew their own, and they will give them a chance. That’s been a part of the plan, for Carlson and Alzner, and for a bunch of others. Now we’re going to find out how good that plan is, in concept and in execution.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 6, 2010 10:04 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Peerless — You’re right on a lot of points, the Pens don’t have anyone that ready to step up. There’s high hopes for guys like Carl Sneep (best BC defenseman, turning pro this year), Brian Strait and Robert Bortuzzo but none of them translate to top-pairing talent like Alzner (a top 5 pick) and Carlson (a home run)
Simon Despres (30th overall in ’09) probably is the closest thing to a high-end talent available. Probably not NHL ready this season though.
So the Pens went a lot of way. They’ve now got 5 d-men locked up (counting Goligoski’s RFA years) for at least three more years at a cost of about $18 million. And none are old or have miles on them, all are pretty skilled and can skate. I’m comfortable with that, even if it doesn’t give a lot of flexibility right now.
Who knows, if a guy like Despres, Sneep or Bortuzzo shows he can be a NHL top 4 player, the Pens may be able to deal Letang or Goligoski (both of whom will be young and quite valuable) for a forward. Contracts may be in place for a while, but is it really likely all of Orpik/Letang/Martin/Michalek remain on the Pens for the next four years?
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
So the Pens wenta lot of way.
Went a different way, an intelligent person might say.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Yeah, but you’re a Pens fan, so… ;)
But yes, that was one of the points I made – that because the Pens had a greater need, spending as much as they did and giving out long-term deals in order to get the guys they wanted wasn’t as big a deal. In fact it was necessary, because there’s really no one else and they don’t have the cheaper option of guys like Carlson and Alzner. Holes need to be filled. If god forbid the Caps had lost Green or someone like that I’d expect him to do whatever was necessary to fill that need – and damn the cost/length of term.
Now that’s a scary thought—losing Green. Assuming Schultz is re-signed (which I can’t believe he won’t be), I feel warm and comfy (even on a blistering hot day) about our top four d-guys for years to come—tho’ admittedly it is a very young group.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
luckily, Green is an RFA once this current contract is up. And, for good and bad, as long as Bruce is around, I think Green will stay in DC. (which of course just brings up the fact that he needs a good pshirnk!)
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
And, for good and bad, as long as Bruce is around, I think Green will stay in DC
Call me crazy, but I see nothing bad in having a guy stay in DC that is a two-time Norris trophy runner-up and was voted all-league in consecutive years.
by b.orr4 on Jul 6, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I generally don’t either. my worry is Green turning into an utter basketcase if Bruce isn’t around. Or Green bolting for whatever team Bruce is coaching. There are pros (and there are a whole lot of pros) and cons to their relationship.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Ahh, but he is taking yoga now. That should help him find his emotional center. I’m sorta kidding and sorta not. Yoga if done properly really does help cleanse and refocus the mind.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
if a guy like Despres, Sneep or Bortuzzo shows he can be a NHL top 4 player, the Pens may be able to deal Letang or Goligoski (both of whom will be young and quite valuable) for a forward. Contracts may be in place for a while, but is it really likely all of Orpik/Letang/Martin/Michalek remain on the Pens for the next four years?
There is a Catch-22 here. If any of those four are moved before the 2013-2014 season in favor of youngsters, that tells me that whoever is moved is a disappointment. None of them will cost any more over the next few seasons, so unless Shero puts himself in a cap bind (like signing a high-dollar winger), he’d have no other reason to move any of them. Meanwhile, the youngsters age. Will they spend too much time on the farm? Despres will be 22 in that 13-14 season, but Sneep would be 26, Strait would be 25, Bortuzzo 24. As for Sneep being the best defenseman on a BC team, the word association answer for that hint would be, “Ryan Whitney.”
If you've read this far...seek help.
Nice catch. Ryan Whitney never won a national championship, I’m inclined to point out. I guess we’ll see. I won’t talk much about Sneep as I’ve never seen him, but I’ve heard some who’ve seen him more speak pretty highly of him.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
On a sidenote, if I was a book editor and someone brought me a hockey manuscript with players named Despres, Sneep, Bortuzzo, Letang, and Goligoski, I’d send it back.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
None of them will cost any more over the next few seasons, so unless Shero puts himself in a cap bind (like signing a high-dollar winger), he’d have no other reason to move any of them
My theory is that, hypothetically, if Despres or Bortuzzo shows he’s NHL ready and capable, perhaps Shero offers a guy like Letang to, say Dallas for a forward like Benn/Neal.
Will they spend too much time on the farm?
I suppose that’s the risk for a contending team: when do you go with the young and unproven guys? The Caps are going through this now too. Pittsburgh kept Ben Lovejoy mainly in the minors, he’s the exact type of guy that would have been in the NHL, had he only been fortunate to be a few years older.
Gotta assume if someone’s knocking the door down to get to the NHL eventually he’ll either find a place or perhaps be traded to someone who’ll give him the space. I suppose the “too much talent” problem is a good problem to have…But it’s still a problem.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Excellent! Carlson and Alzner can abuse Benn some more!!
…just teasin’
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 6, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
A different take, from SB Nation DC.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I understand McPhee’s stance. If other teams are foolish enough to overpay for mediocre talent, then let them. No sense getting into a bidding war for someone who you don’t feel represents an upgrade to what you’ve already got in place. I get that. But George, please, I’m begging you, come out and admit to Caps fans that everything isn’t perfect.
Okay so he’s a writer/fan who needs his hand held. And one who should get help when he negotiates. Honestly the last thing I’d want my GM to do is tell everyone what he wants to acquire for the team and which players are not worthy of staying/making it on the team. No need to dig a hole before starting any negotiating.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions
You rarely see GMs come out and say “this team has serious issues and this is what we need to do to address them” – especially GMs of teams that, playoff collapse or not, have proven to be a fairly decent team overall, but even teams that finish well out of contention.
And I agree, I like GMGM not giving away too much. Why bother? The media will do it for you, the fans will do it for you, and in the meantime you – as the boss – are basically putting down the guys you want to go out and play hard for you.
Any Caps fan with anything above the Caps 101 level of knowledge of the sport can see where this club needs to improve…
Must improve: 2C (question — is Johansson, Flesichmann, or Perreault that player? We’ll get 55 games or so of audition to answer that question)
Likely needs to go deep in playoffs: #2 D, rather have a better “stay-at-home” with Green that allows Schultz to get second pair minutes (question… is that a “deadline” move on the urgency scale?)
Never bad to have: More attitude, players who are difficult to play against (question… is there another “Chimera” out there to be had in-season?)
I don’t imagine there are many Caps fans, Caps suits, Caps coaches, cap guns or bottle caps who would differ a lot with that.
If you've read this far...seek help.
True, but there is a whole lotta gray between identifying and need and finalizing a trade or agreement. Yeah, I have to buy a house. But that house in that neighborhood. For how much money.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
identifying a need
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Never bad to have: More attitude, players who are difficult to play against (question… is there another "Chimera" out there to be had in-season?)
This is where I once again bang on the Owen Nolan drum
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I love Nolan. I want him here. I don’t care if there’s no room at his position – I’ll make room. I’ll build on an addition if I have to.
/nonsense comment
There’s room at RW for Owen Nolan. Especially if you play Alex Semin on the side he should be on and you play Brooks Laich on the line he should be on.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
And you play Tomas Fleischmann in the press box he should be in.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 6, 2010 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
And you play Tomas Fleischmann in thepress boxother city (with a second-round pick coming back) he should be in.
by EmilyB on Jul 6, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Like this?
AO – Backs – Knuble
Semin – ?? – Nolan
Laich – ?? – Fehr
Chimera – Steckel – Bradley
I could go for that.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Fehr on the 2nd, Nolan on the 3rd. Otherwise, that’s what I’ve got.
Laich – Belanger – Nolan is the kind of line that really does some damage in the playoffs.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions
That’d be a great playoff line indeed. Agree with you on Fehr to 2R, by the way.
And I could go with Belanger as a 3C, if he’d do 2 years.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Another 3rd or 4th liner that’s difficult to play against? We have one home grown by the name of Steve Pinizzotto.
"HISTORY DOESN’T MATTER!!! .... Who cares if it’s never been done? We aren’t those teams who failed before. We are in control of our own destiny, and we will make it happen our own way.." - A Gordon, June 2010
come out and admit to Caps fans that everything isn’t perfect.
Really, only one team at the end of the season can come out and say everything is perfect. And Chicago could basically only could do it for a day or two before they started their fire sale. It seems pretty obvious that if your team loses in the first round, everything isn’t hunky-dory, but I guess some people need that verbal assurance.
There’s only one signing that is one I would not have minded the Caps doing, and that was Kurits Foster going to Edmonton for 2yr/$3.6M.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
I was trying to frame a response to this post, but really, I said all I wanted to right here. Patience is a virtue.
Things will look different next spring. Some of that is predictable. In the fall, Alzner, Carlson, and the goalies will have growing pains, and people will question the decision to put young players in those positions. Then in winter they will settle in and in the spring they will play up to their abilities. That’s what happens with young players.
Others are not so predictable. Mackan and MP will get shots. Nobody knows now how they will do. Also, injuries are going to happen. Nobody knows to who or how severe.
But McPhee is building a playoff roster here, and there are plenty of opportunities between now and next April to make adjustments. And if he goes into the season with space in the salary cap, he’ll have lots of flexibility to make those adjustments.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
McPhee is building a playoff roster here
That’s what he’s trying to do. Whether he’s succeeding, we’re still waiting to see.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
If the Caps don’t make the playoffs this year (and if they’re not a top 3 team, and what the hell, if they don’t repeat as the top seed) there is something seriously seriously wrong that goes far beyond the roster that McPhee assembles.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
They’ll make the playoffs. Barring real bad luck with injuries, they’ll win the SE. Final seed will depend on a lot of things. If one of the other top teams has a streak of golden luck like the Caps have, and runs off 12 – 15 wins in a row, it will be hard for the Caps to finish #1 overall. Which doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
Again, Peerless ID’d the hole and the nice-to-haves above; don’t see how you could disagree with him.
Does anyone REALLY think that McPhee doesn’t have a plan to address this? I don’t.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Sorry, I took that to mean a legit contending roster.
Otherwise I agree, yes, McPhee has built a roster that can make the playoffs every year.
But we demand more! (right?)
Does anyone REALLY think that McPhee doesn’t have a plan to address this? I don’t.
roster holes (aka talent) might not be what McPhee fails to see.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
These are the UFA centers and D-men that could be a target come mid-season for the Caps. These are the guys we’ll have our eye’s on as the season goes on.
Richards, Brad 31 DAL C UFA 7.800 7.800
Bergeron, Patrice 25 BOS C UFA 4.750 5.750
Connolly, Tim 30 BUF C UFA 4.500 4.500
Handzus, Michal 34 LAK C UFA 4.000 4.000
Koivu, Mikko 28 MIN C UFA 3.250 3.700
Hudler, Jiri 27 DET C UFA 2.875 3.000
Backes, David 27 STL C UFA 2.500 2.500
White, Todd 36 ATL C UFA 2.375 2.600
LaRose, Chad 29 CAR C UFA 1.700 1.900
Draper, Kris 40 DET C UFA 1.583 1.250
Kopecky, Tomas 29 CHI C UFA 1.200 1.200
Reasoner, Marty 34 ATL C UFA 1.150 1.200
And D men a plenty—
Jovanovski, Ed 35 PHX D UFA 6.500 6.000
Markov, Andrei 32 MTL D UFA 5.750 5.750
McCabe, Bryan 36 FLA D UFA 5.750 4.150
Hamrlik, Roman 37 MTL D UFA 5.500 5.500
Hannan, Scott 32 COL D UFA 4.500 4.500
Brewer, Eric 32 STL D UFA 4.250 4.500
Kaberle, Tomas 33 TOR D UFA 4.250 4.250
Pitkanen, Joni 27 CAR D UFA 4.000 4.500
Bieksa, Kevin 30 VAN D UFA 3.750 3.500
Phillips, Chris 33 OTT D UFA 3.500 3.500
Rivet, Craig 36 BUF D UFA 3.500 3.500
Salo, Sami 36 VAN D UFA 3.500 3.500
Ehrhoff, Christian 28 VAN D UFA 3.100 3.400
Witt, Brendan 36 NYI D UFA 3.000 3.000
Preissing, Tom 32 COL D UFA 2.750 2.750
Staios, Steve 37 CGY D UFA 2.700 2.200
Sopel, Brent 34 CHI D UFA 2.333 2.000
Daley, Trevor 27 DAL D UFA 2.300 2.500
Vandermeer, Jim 31 PHX D UFA 2.300 2.300
Gill, Hal 36 MTL D UFA 2.250 2.250
Hejda, Jan 33 CLB D UFA 2.000 2.000
Huskins, Kent 32 SJS D UFA 1.700 1.900
by SA-Town on Jul 6, 2010 10:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wait, Brad Richards makes $7.8M this year?
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
That’s his cap hit. For my money, the worst value contract in the NHL.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Everyone pining away for Volchenkov should take a look at Richards and the Stars, eh?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
No fair introducing a Sather contract.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
by fat_daddyo on Jul 6, 2010 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Brian Campbell ($7.1m) has the 2nd highest cap hit of any defenseman… Jay Bo ($6.6m) is third. I’d say those two are pretty bad.
Shoot even for centers: Brad Richards had more points than Paul Stastny, who makes $6.6m and hasn’t been a 30+ goal scorer or above a point/game player in his NHL career. Stastny is obviously younger with a higher ceiling, but for pure cap hit that’s tough.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Campbell and JayBo are both horrid contracts. Hell, wait ’til Pronger is 40.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Hell, wait ’til Pronger is 40.
yup
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
The thing with contracts is that they are cumulative with teams/rosters. Success does answer for a lot of things.
The Caps are avoiding “bad” contracts like the plague right now. It will be interesting to see how the Caps define “success” in hindsight 5 years from now.
And the only thing holding Richards back is injuries. When he’s been healthy, he’s been very productive.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
How does a player score 91 points and still go minus-12?
OK, Ovechkin had 92 points one year and was minus-19, but: a) it was his second year in the league, b) he wasn’t touted as the two-way player Richards has been, c) the Caps (70 points that year) were worse than the Stars this past season (88), and d) it was Ovechkin’s only minus season (Richards is minus-62 over his last five years).
If you've read this far...seek help.
minus 62 over 5 seasons? And most of those seasons, the Stars were good. Wow.
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Power play points? Wow.
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
13G, 27A, 40P on the power play. even strength he was 11/40/51.
just to compare, no one on the Caps had 40 points on the PP this season. Nick had 37. At EV, Ovie, Nick, and Semin all had higher point totals.
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(Richards is minus-62 over his last five years).
Per Behind the Net, Dallas’s save percentage with Richards on the ice in 2007 was .864, .878 in 2008 and .897 in 2009. While he hasn’t been a revelation as a two-way player, he’s not getting any goalie support at all. It’s not surprising that his +/- is that poor when the numbers look like that.
The stats don’t look like he’s driving high possession or playing the really tough assignments, but he’s not making an idiot out himself out there, either.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 6, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
How do you know whether the goalie’s “bad luck” is driving Richards’ “on ice sv%” or whether Richards’ poor play is driving down the sv%? I don’t necessarily mean in this instance, it’s just a concern I have with any of the stats that try to address the impact goalies and D have on each other. It’s a necessarily circular relationship.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Players don’t tend to drive on ice save percentage that much, especially not forwards. There’s a lot more variation from goalie ups-and-downs than from individual players in any case. Generally speaking, this kind of terrible on-ice save percentage isn’t persistent across years and you can see that Richards’s is coming up.
Relevant article, if you want to wade through it.
Second, there’s survival bias in the NHL. I don’t care how well you’re paid, if you’re making enough obvious gaffes so that the opposition’s shooting percentage is halfway to all of their shots being breakaways, you’re getting nailed to the bench. Wasn’t Dave Tippett the coach in Dallas during some of that period? He’s pretty aware of his players’ defensive assignments and who blew them – if Richards was still getting significant ice, Tippett thought it wasn’t him.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 6, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Last year at least he scored 91 points though. Obviously the cap hit is way, way too high — if you have to pay that much money it needs to be to an impact player, but Richards has redeemed himself a little bit.
I’d rather have BR at $7.8m than Wade Redden at $6 million.
"Game's the same. Just got more fierce."
Or Scott Gomez at 7.3 million for longer.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Seeing these cap hits kinda makes me feel giddy about Backstrom at $6.7. (All due respect to BR, taking into consideration the different situations in which the players were acquired, etc…)
The last mosquito that bit me had to check into the Betty Ford Clinic.
by adingoatemyname on Jul 6, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Or the player whose $10M-for-24-goal season inspired his own salary calculator?
"HISTORY DOESN’T MATTER!!! .... Who cares if it’s never been done? We aren’t those teams who failed before. We are in control of our own destiny, and we will make it happen our own way.." - A Gordon, June 2010
Which of those centers is going to be on a team that is not making the playoffs in 10-11 that you really want on your team? Richards and Koivu.
Nicely written article.
But seriously, in a perfect world, Volchenkov would have been an awesome addition to the Caps. Damn the Devils for handing out six years and damn Nylander for ensuring GMGM never gives another free agent a no-trade clause.
Agree, I think he would have been good at 2-3 years – the cost doesn’t bother me so much as the length, it’s way too long even for a guy who isn’t likely to miss 15-20 games a year (or more) because of the way he plays.
And frankly I’m okay with GMGM not giving out too many NTCs – they’re just not smart in any circumstance, but it seems especially bad with someone acquired via free agency. If it doesn’t work out, you’re screwed.
Although Nylander’s was a no-movement clause, which is even worse. It’s why the Caps couldn’t send him to the AHL last year without his permission. Annoying.
While I would also be extremely hesitant to hand out NTC/NMCs, I understand the allure – they’re a non-cap-impacting way to sweeten the pot. For teams tight up against the cap (or wanting to save money and/or cap space), that might be all they’ve got to make that final push to get a guy… awfully tempting.
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This is just my opinion, but I really think you’re overrating AV. During Ottawa’s series against the Pens, he was either their 3rd or 4th best defenseman. At some points, it was obvious that Clouston was shielding him from playing against Crosby because he was just too fast for AV to handle. Combine that with the fact that he’s only going to become more injury prone as he gets older and has virtually zero offensive upside and the guy gets a giant pass from me.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Nice, very nice, article, and it captures my thoughts to a T. I would be annoyed as hell if the Caps had handed out a Martin-/Michalek-type contract, or, even worse, a Volchenkov-type contract.
My general read of things during the cap era is that long (say, 4 years and up) and expensive (say, $4M/year and up) contracts for “established” free agents have an unhappy ending. You end up with a guy that’s losing/lost effectiveness, chewing up the guts of your salary cap and clogging up the roster.
Peerless has it right, above. This year will determine a lot about the strategy going forward, and we all know what the Caps need.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
After following the Redskins for the past decade, I never thought I'd say this about any team ever: but sometimes I worry this team is too young.
I respect what GMGM and Ted have done. I respect their philosophy. And I certainly love rooting for this team.
But my fear after watching this playoffs and those of the past few years, is simply that the team is too young in too many places.
Young Player X may be more talented than a veteran free agent, but experience (and all it brings) may be the missing piece of the Caps’ puzzle.
As others have said, 2010-11 is a key year, and I think it will answer my concern one way or the other.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
But they’re getting older and wiser every second!
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speed up time, dammit.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
The Caps’ blueline is already a collective 35 minutes more experienced since your post. Time flies – these guys are gettin’ old.
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Suddenly I feel better about a 2nd line filled out with Flash and MP
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Flash is sui generis. But MP is exactly the kind of guy you want to have.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
On the 2nd line of a young contending team tho?
If the star 1C is young, ideally I think you’d like your 2C to be one of the places with veteran ‘grit’ (and other euphemisms)
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
MP is almost certainly good enough to hold down the fort until the deadline, and he might be good enough to hold the job for the season. Most importantly, he’ll do it cheaply.
Mackan might be better, in which case we all win.
Would it be better to have a talented, gritty, experienced guy at 2C that can skate well enough to keep up with Semin and Laich? Sure. I’m not sure who that guy is, though, and I can’t construct a reasonable scenario that puts him on the roster without either gutting the cap or requiring that some existing assets have been moved elsewhere.
Tradeoffs – they’re a bitch, but it’s what we’re left with due to the cap.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
MP is almost certainly good enough to hold down the fort until the deadline
Perreault’s game log:
11/4 – 2 assists
11/6 – 0 points
11/7 – 1 goal
11/11 – 0 points
11/13 – 1 assist
11/14 – 1 goal
11/17 – 0 points
11/20 – 1 assist
11/21 – 0 points
11/23 – 0 points
11/25 – 0 points
11/28 – 0 points
11/30 – 0 points
12/3 – 0 points
12/5 – 0 points
12/7 – 0 points
12/11 – 1 assist
12/12 – 0 points
3/28 – 1 goal
3/30 – 1 goal
4/1 – 0 points
That’s a lot of 0 point games. Ain’t we stacking expectations a little too high?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
To be fair, if he gets the 2nd line job, he’ll be playing with Laich and Semin every game. I’m guessing his point production will improve given those linemates.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I’m guessing…
And that’s what has me worried. He’s never done it on the NHL level. I’m not sure why we’re so convinced that he will. I’m not saying he won’t, I’m just saying the certainty I’m seeing may not be merited.
I don’t want Perreault to be a goat around here if he doesn’t make it.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I understood where you are coming from. I think they’ve got 3 guys they think may fit in on that 2nd line. If none do, then they make a move. If someone does, you save cap space for now and, probably more importantly, next offseason. I believe they only have 2 guys, but either way its a solid strategy, especially given the other options.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I think they’ve got 3 guys they think may fit in on that 2nd line.
This exact logic burned us last year though.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Totally agree – jury very much out on his ability to be a second-line center on a contender in the NHL.
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Which basically means jury is still out on whether he is an NHL player or an AAAAHL player. He’s not the kind of guy that is going to play 3C so he’s either 1-2C or not in the NHL.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he could center the third line for the Caps, but agreed on the general notion that he isn’t a checker.
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And that goes to the theory that long term he’ll end of as a winger. A move I’d wholeheartedly support down the road.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
I guess, but the Caps don’t seem in a hurry to do it and Daniel Briere showed how much better he is at C than W this year.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we can reasonably assume a modest upgrade to those numbers, which would be good enough to get by with for the opening couple of months?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I’d be big time surprised if veteran depth were not on the menu at the deadline again this year.
For the nonce, if the choice is between 1) fielding a youngish team and 2) overpaying in term and dollars for established guys, I think the first option is definitely the lesser of two evils. And in the cap era, that’s the series of tradeoffs you have to make.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I’d be big time surprised if veteran depth were not on the menu at the deadline again this year.
Few things would make me happier.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
And to be honest, that’s probably the better way to go for that sort of thing – then you’re not locked into huge contracts for aging vets. You get them at a nice, affordable rental price. If you like ‘em, try and sign ’em in the offseason but it’s one of those potentially low risk, high reward moves GMGM tends to favor.
GMGM tends to favor
And me, too.
I liked the Belanger, Corvo and Walker acquisitions at the time they were made. Didn’t work out. Worth trying a similar strategy again, though.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Same. And for what it’s worth, a lot of media-types liked those moves, too – said they were the kind of moves contenders make.
But once again, proof that these things don’t always work out. We gave up relatively little for those guys and it didn’t pan out – I prefer that to giving up 5-6 year deals worth 4-6 million dollars and running the risk that it doesn’t work out. We can get that same risk with better players (Carlson, Alzner, etc) for less.
The problem was those moves were basically made for the 2nd, 3rd & 4th rounds of the playoffs. The Caps just forgot you have to get out of the first to get to those rounds.
by b.orr4 on Jul 6, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
at the deadline
Heck, the offseason’s just getting warmed up here. There’s a long time between now and October
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
My fear runs in a different direction. The Caps could decide that this is the team they want going forward — essentially unchanged in most respects from last year, except for those players whose contracts expired. Those positions would be filled in by promotions in Hershey.
What you would have is leftovers from a team that conspired to pull off perhaps the biggest choke in the modern era of hockey, supported by guys who played in the minors or in Europe last year.
You’d have to hope that: a) the guys returning learned a lesson (making this the third lesson they should have learned after getting lessons losing to Philly and the Penguins), b) Hershey’s winning formula translates upward, or c) both.
Admittedly, this is a worst case scenario, but that’s what makes me a Caps fan.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jul 6, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
the Caps have some company in that “biggest choke in the modern era of hockey” category. The 2005-2006 Red Wings put up 124 points and lost to Edmonton in 6 in the first round.
#savethekittens!
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I stand by my “this is the lesson they needed” argument – I really believe that Pittsburgh winning the Cup last year was the worst thing that could have happened to them going into this season, because the Caps not only advanced past where they were the year before but also were able to say they lost to the eventual Champs.
Now there are no excuses. They lost to an 8th-ranked team after holding a 3-1 series advantage, that team lost to a marginal Flyers team two rounds later, and they saw a team built not that differently from them go on to win it all. My hope is that’s the motivation they need.
by Becca H on Jul 6, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
2010-2011 is do or die for Gabby as boss and McPhee’s current philosophy
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Thankfully, 2010-11 is not do or die for gneralizations and other blanket statements.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Otherwise the internet would cease to exist.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
I’m more concerned with the lessons not learned by the head coach than the majority of the players.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
by CP2Devil on Jul 6, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 11 recs
Rec’d through white knuckles.
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
by Bald Pollack on Jul 6, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Bingo. Not confident on this score, to tell you the truth.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
you have to hope that, behind closed doors, there are been some very serious conversations between McPhee and Bruce. I’m not surprised that management has Bruce’s back in public. I hope that they have his back and some serious constructive criticism in private.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
I am 100% confident that Bruce and George have had many conversations – I just dont think the content of those chats would prove to be all that revelatory. To be specific, Bruce doesnt feel he could have done much more, and George believes him.
Yeah. That’s what I’m afraid of.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
Yeah, Bruce isn’t going to magically become a master technician or strategist.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
No but I would hope that he is capable of learning. The same arguments we use for the players’ learning from the playoffs holds true for the coach as well. We all have learning curves.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, it’s pretty obvious that McPhee does appear they have the right stuff, basically. If people are basing their assumptions on the Caps’ needs on the Montreal series, the greatest choke job in the annals of modern day sport, they are probably running contrary to GM’s perspective.
What would have a Volchenkov or Martin or Michalek have given the Caps in Montreal series? The Caps outchanced Montreal 189 to 129; how much more could the Caps have dominated play? That incredible Game 6 performance by Halak made us realize this series was mostly about goaltending and luck, quite honestly. I’m not saying the Habs were an untalented bunch of goons, but I think McPhee would still take the odds that his team will dominate play and therefore, have the best chance to win.
His approach is probably the best – anyone can say “what if” in terms of signing this player or that. Now, if a truly high end shut down D man or goalie hits the market, then McPhee must seriously re-assess, IMO. Those are gamechangers and worth the risk, not the Martins, Gonchars, and Lombardis of the world.
They could have created better quality chances on the PP.
A bit tangential – For that series a shut down D-man wasn’t really required in general. Habs only had one true scoring line.
"You ever use smelling salts, every time you type a bad blog?" Brooks Laich
And the power play…another area I’m not feeling all that confident about.
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
We dominated in name only
In legit scoring chances, playoff-earned scoring chances, the series was far more even.
Hence the origins of my desire for some veteran, playoff grit.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
How did you come to this conclusion? Neutral observers (mostly Oilers fans) counted up the chances they considered legit and the Caps came out vastly ahead.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 6, 2010 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that’s simply a false claim. MON’s conversion percentage was vastly superior to ours. I would honestly not be shocked one bit if MON scored a goal on 75% or more of their scoring chances. The timely conversion was also a product of an infrequent level of luck.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, we may have been far ahead in chances, but the OP’s mention of luck set off my alarm bells.
The Caps spent a lot of time in that series throwing shots on goal that didn’t have much chance of going in or creating anything. That and MTL’s great play are the two reasons we lost, IMO.
"By far the worst performers on the team are in the front office." – Sally Jenkins
Greatest choke job ever?
Umm, you do remember that Boston blew a 3-0 lead against the Flyers, and a 3-0 goal lead in Game 7?
by OvechkinGR8 on Jul 6, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Remind me again who was the President’s Trophy winner?
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
But the regular season doesn’t mean anything.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
And neither did the playoffs to this team.
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
Boston’s loss — after being up 3 games to 0 and then what happened in game 7 — is historic in a way that the Caps’ loss just isn’t. But any other year the Caps would be the biggest choke job.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, in fairness, a Presidents’ Trophy winner had never lost a first round series it led three games to one, so the Caps’ choke was pretty historic.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
OK, I know that this doesn’t apply to you because we’re buds, but to e-rant for a second…
Is that the behavior that this fanbase is going to exhibit? That somebody else did something else “more wrong” so as to avoid the problem at hand?
Boston blowing a series to Philly doesn’t excuse the fact that this team can’t, doesn’t, won’t (or whatever word you want to employ) play an inferior team like, well, an inferior team. Take your lumps and look at the friggin warts in the mirror.
/wonders if dinner’s ready
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
If people are basing their assumptions on the Caps’ needs on the Montreal series, the greatest choke job in the annals of modern day sport, they are probably running contrary to GM’s perspective.
Greatest choke job ever?
Umm, you do remember that Boston blew a 3-0 lead against the Flyers, and a 3-0 goal lead in Game 7?
Remind me again who was the President’s Trophy winner?
Boston’s loss — after being up 3 games to 0 and then what happened in game 7 — is historic in a way that the Caps’ loss just isn’t. But any other year the Caps would be the biggest choke job.
Do you see anything in what I said that indicates I think there’s no problem? The Caps’ own choke job doesn’t have to be the greatest choke job in the history of mankind for it to be a problem. God himself didn’t have to come down and say “Jesus Christ, what the fuck is wrong with you guys” after the Caps’ playoff failure to point out some serious flaws with the team.
But to call the Caps’ choke “the greatest in the annals of modern day sport” — not only do you need to have never heard of USA vs. the USSR, 1980 - you need to have not been watching hockey this year. It was bad. Not as bad as what Boston did, but who the fuck cares? The only thing that matters is that the Caps didn’t do as well as the Blackhawks. First round, second round, third round, it doesn’t matter. You’re the champion or you arent’. But “greatest in the annals of modern day sport” - that kind of language just makes a body sound like an ignorant homer. It was bad, but it wasn’t “greatest ever” bad.
And did you just suggest I’m "avoiding "the problems? Don’t you see me beating the Owen Nolan drum? Here’s a stat for you: Ovechkin, Backstrom and Knuble — 12 goals in the playoffs. Brooks Laich (who was on the 2nd line) — 2 goals. Eric Fehr (who should be) — 3 goals. Every Other Forward Combined – 3 goals.
I don’t want to hear any more “but we don’t need another wing, we have plenty of those. All we need up front is a second line center.” No, what the Caps need is more talent everywhere — playoff talent that won’t disappear. I love me some Chimera, Bradley, Gordon, and Steckel, but they disappeared just like Semin and Flash did. As far as I’m concerned, given his role Brooks Laich did too.
Lack of heart wasn’t limited to European wings. But at least Alex Semin took 44 shots on net. How many more were blocked? Nobody can say that guy wasn’t trying to score, wasn’t working hard. Matt Bradley took 8 shots. Plenty of folks have Bradley penciled into the 3rd line RW slot for next year. You need forwards on every line who can score — who are willing to do the hard work that it takes and the talent to do it.
Nobody’s avoiding the problems, but perhaps we can disagree about what they are. I don’t think the problem was the defense and I don’t think it was Alex Semin (apart from some remarkably bad luck). Yeah, it’s driving me a little nuts to see Semin (44 shots on net) and Fleischmann (8 shots on net in 6 games before playing himself to the bench) grouped together. The problem was Jaro Halak. The problem was an inability to find the right formula on the PP. The problem was a bunch of 3rd and 4th line forwards who didn’t take it on themselves to win these games.
And the problem was, bluntly, bad luck. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging that the Caps played better than Montreal and still lost. That’s what happened. They should have played better still. But they demonstrated themselves to be the better team. So let’s not blow up a good and talented team that got bounced despite outplaying their opponent. Let’s just hope they get even better so it can’t happen again, no matter how hot the other goalie gets.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
To quote Bill Lumbergh
I’m gonna go a head and disagree with you on this:
I love me some Chimera, Bradley, Gordon, and Steckel, but they disappeared just like Semin and Flash did. As far as I’m concerned, given his role Brooks Laich did too.
I don’t think Chimera, Bradley, or Gordon disappeared – their playing time declined as Bruce rode the top-6 horses harder and harder. Moreover, each of those guys scores so infrequently that the likelihood that they will not score in a given 7-game stretch is actually pretty high. On balance, I think those three had a pretty damn good series, actually. Laich is a bit harder to pin down. He didn’t produce enough but then, Laich has ALWAYS been really streaky. He goes through droughts all the time. This one was just badly timed.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
I thought Laich was a huge disappointment on the PP. He’s exactly the kind of guy that needs to step up when Halak is playing like that. He’s the kind of guy that can simplify the game, win battles, and change our approach. He was all too frequently part of the cute problem, and he’s not a cute player. Seeing him look for passes down below the goal line and either trying to fool the goalie with a wrap or looking for the gorgeous cross-crease feed was infuriating. Lots of people are at fault for failing to adapt, starting with BB above all else, but Brooks Laich was a guy that could have almost unilaterally changed the face of our PP.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Or Bruce just could have put Knuble back on the top PP unit. You know, the one that was scoring at a nearly 30% clip for much of the season.
I’ll grant you that Laich wasn’t spectacular, but he’s the kind of guy who’s gonna look lost one series, then single-handedly win you a couple games the next series. Reminds me a bit of Deadmarsh in that way.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Right, but you know how I feel about those kind of players.
What was Nick’s FO% in that series? Isn’t hte common explanation that Laich can take face offs that Nick doesn’t win? Or maybe saving Knuble’s old bones?
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Did the bottom 6 lose playing time because “Bruce rode the top-6 horses harder and harder” or because they weren’t producing any goals? The first line did its job. The second line was a hot mess. Other than Eric Fehr, who on the 3rd or 4th line stepped up his game to help out?
Who is going to be the Caps’ Dave Bolland? Their Scott Hartnell? Their Jordan Staal? The guy who steps it up and gives the team more than just a few weapons? I could see Brooks Laich do it, if the team were deep enough to take him off the 2nd line. But right now I think the 3rd and 4th liners are getting a pass, and I don’t think they should be.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Well I would have liked to see Chimera get more TOI, and I thought his forecheck was effective when he did play. Flash was a third line player, so yeah, they got a pass from BB, but not really from us. Your points are well-taken though, we definitely need some depth players to be more than just non-liabilities.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to pile on, but you say that “[t]he first line did its job.” While maybe true in aggregate, the first line combined for one goal in the three games in which the Caps had a chance to eliminate the Habs and were solely responsible for the 0-2 hole the team found itself in ten minutes into Game 5. At home. Absolving them of sin is misplaced.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I should have clarified and said it was more an in general rant, than a Gouldie-specific rant.
I just want to smack people who say “hey, at least we’re not Pittsburgh” or any other team. You* know what? This team is one for four in playoff series against lower-seeded teams. You want to compare what the Caps are doing against other teams? Once the Caps actually win something, then the comparison is made.
Until that point, the hardons about drawing a Sid/Hawks/Flyers comparison to what the Caps are doing, particularly until the Caps stop nuking the fridge, have to calm down.
- = the royal You
Look at this signature line. Notice the lack of spelling errors and self-whoring?
by Bald Pollack on Jul 6, 2010 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
A week ago or so I was looking at the career stats of Ovechkin and Crosby. They are fairly well matched in most stats (both exceptional players with eye-popping numbers) except one.
Career playoff games.
Alex 28, Sidney 61.
C’mon Caps, get your Captain some more playoff games.
hopefully we won’t be filling our line up with “Charmin” soft players this year come the playoffs and maybe we can advance. Then again knowing BB he will probably have them sitting on the bench for his favorites and giving the favorites 2 minute shifts. (No I am not saying Walker would have saved the post season)
plagued by penguins fans at work
I’d still like to see someone like Mitchell (assuming everything checks out in the head) on the D. I don’t really care when it comes, whether it be today or early March (as long as it’s not Corvo).
This would make me feel a bit more comfortable with a rookie at 2C, somehow.
I’d like Mitchell, as well – and I think waiting for him to check out has cleared out a lot of teams looking to upgrade on D, so if the Caps are looking at him they might be able to get a good deal.
But who knows, I have no clue what GMGM has in mind :)
I have no clue what GMGM has in mind
Cement his reputation as an overly cautious and reticent GM?
"You want to start being part of the Rink? Fine, but more’s expected of you than John/Jane Cap Fan. Carry the cause of informed discussion to the unwashed masses and don’t crap in the yards of other SBN sites if you decide to go over there. They’re passionate about their teams too, no need to troll elsewhere and/or be a sore winner." --BP
I don’t know…if he signs Kovalchuk that may change. Plus the cap situation starts to look pretty dicey ;)
I don’t know if I’d call Lamoriello overcautious. The guy signed Brian Rolston to a four-year contract with a 5-million plus cap hit and Dainius Zubrus to a six year contract with a 3.75 million cap hit. And New Jersey is looking to get rid of both so they can fit Kovalchuk in.
"Ovechkin, what is good in life?"
"To crush your enemies. To see them driven before you. And to hear the lamentations of their captain."
Does it? I know NJ has won Cups, but when was the last time they got out of the first round? Before the lockout?
"It's always good to have vikings."
Proud member of the Oxford dictionary police.
by gfcaps fan on Jul 6, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you :) I try. Seems to be preaching to the choir a little bit but I thought it still needed to be said.
If the playoff results are all we’re looking at regarding upgrading the team with expensive Free Agents, look at Pittsburgh. They lost their round with Montreal because they couldn’t score against Halak either, but they didn’t rush into buying overpriced FA’s that may not fit their system. Instead, they met their immediate need in defense (due to losing Gonchar and not having any good D prospects) and walked away from the silly season.
"HISTORY DOESN’T MATTER!!! .... Who cares if it’s never been done? We aren’t those teams who failed before. We are in control of our own destiny, and we will make it happen our own way.." - A Gordon, June 2010
The Pens also realized that they cant ride Fluery to the promise land, and he needs some help.
We have far lest invested in net then the Pens do, so on paper, our lineup should reflect it next year come playoff time.
It would be one thing to say that any SC final that features Michael Leighton and Antti Niemi in goal suggests that goalies have been somewhat devalued in their importance to success. But over the last three years, the goalies also include Marc-Andre Fleury (until 2009 a notorious underperformer in playoffs) and Chris Osgood, who might end up a hall of famer for longevity reasons (perseverance, put another way) more than talent.
If Varlamov and/or Neuvirth progress as reasonably as their development arcs suggest, there isn’t a reason to discount the Caps’ chances on the basis of their goaltending.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Not to sound like a dick, but this smacks of over-rationalizing a poor free agency period by McPhee. This is not a complete team and it is full of question marks, and in today’s NHL, the easiest (and quickest) way to answer questions is through free agency. Note I didn’t say it’s the cheapest or the most cost effective, but the easiest.
The Capitals — going into next year — are going to rely on many players who have yet to suit up for a full NHL season (Alzner, Carlson, Varlamov, Neuvirth, Perreault?), and that should be a frightening thing. Especially considering that two of those guys are defensemen and two are goalies. It very may well work out, but putting young, inexperienced guys in those key situations, playing big minutes, might cause some serious problems.
It’s not such a terrible thing to have one or two overpaid players on your roster if you can balance it out with young and cheap ones. The Caps need to sign those overpaid players.
It’s okay to disagree, that doesn’t make you sound like a dick – but I do wonder how we call 5 days a poor free agency period. By my math free agency goes until at least training camp, so right away I take issue with writing off this entire summer based on lack of instant gratification.
I also don’t think free agency is necessarily the easiest way to answer questions. The quickest, yes, but you’re talking about bringing in guys for more money than they’re worth – for longer terms than is necessary – and taking the risk that they don’t work out. If our young guys don’t work out, the Caps have the option of going to trade route to fix the holes; much easier to fix, much less harmful to the long-term outlook of the team.
The Caps don’t need to sign anyone who is overpaid – by definition that’s getting less than your money’s worth, and why do that? It’s a salary cap world, a hockey team isn’t stagnant and you don’t blow all your cash on mediocre players just to show people you’re doing something. If we were talking about “overpaying” for elite talent, then sure – I’m on board, why not. But for this kind of player? Just because it’s what is available, doesn’t mean it’s what you want, and the players available are not the types we need clogging up the roster and eating away at the cap and preventing the young guys from developing.
by Becca H on Jul 6, 2010 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Caps need to sign those overpaid players.
Which ones? Seemed like most of the options out there were not the best choices for the holes the team had for whatever the money and term the player demanded. I don’t mind McPhee taking on a cap and/or term risk with a player, but not a stupid one. There were players I would have liked to see in a Caps jersey but none of them seemed like the perfect fit to me.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Why Derek Boogard, of course!
(I kid.)
I think that Matt Cullen would’ve been a perfect fit, even at his salary. Vinny Prospal for a 1-year stop-gap would’ve been great. Although he’s not yet signed, Kyle Wellwood could be a nice pivot for Semin.
assuming you can drag Wellwood and Green away from the buffet.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
by RedBirdie on Jul 6, 2010 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Poor Whalew-, er, Wellwood.
He could be decent – Prospal would have been interesting, too, but any time a player re-signs with his current team I just assume the offer for other teams would need to be higher. As for Cullen, I think he was slightly more overpaid than Lombardi – and again, those 3 years are the kicker.
Do you think that 3 years for Cullen is okay. If so why not just resign Belanger. Is Cullen really that much better than Belanger? I really do think the sticking point for McPhee’s negotiations has been about term length. Or do you believe signing a solid but not elite player for a number of years is a good idea for this team. I personally don’t. Nylander has been an albatross, especially at the 2009 trade deadline. Had he not managed to move him, the team never would have been able to bring in the players at the last deadline (tho’ I recognize that it turned out to be a lost cause).
Personally I hope Belanger comes back, but only for one or two years at the most. I am quite fond of anyone who gets kicked in the teeth for the team.
Don’t really know anything about Wellwood so I have no opinion worth a damn. However, neither he nor Cullen were on my short list—I was thinking of much grander players and they all went for waaay too much for me. Honestly i was more focused on the defensive choices because the talent pool was so much stronger.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
If it’s not cheap, or even cost-effective, then is it really the easiest way? It may be lower effort, it may not require losing assets in the system, but how is boning our salary cap for 4 years “the easiest way to make the team better?” I’m sure you would love to have seen the Caps hand out some of the long-term contracts that just got handed out. AV for 6 years and a NTC? Matthew Lombardi for 4 years? Hell yeah, any Pens fan would love for the Caps to sign those contracts. Caps fans? Not so much.
It’s not such a terrible thing to have one or two overpaid players on your roster if you can balance it out with young and cheap ones. The Caps need to sign those overpaid players.
Wrong. The Caps already signed their overpaid players. Nyls and Poti are just finally getting ready to come off the books. We did have younger players to balance out those overpaid players, but AO, Backstrom, and Green are all on their second contracts. Schultz is about to get a raise, Alzner will get one next year and Carlson will get one the following year. Most perversely, on the one hand you say it’s not a good idea to rely on young players, but in your following paragraph you stress the need of young players that can be relied on.
Despite your insistence that the FA market is the easiest way to improve a team (and ignoring that easiest <> best), why is it that Marian Hossa is the only impact FA to make a difference in a team’s pursuit of a Cup. CHI/PHI/PIT/DET are almost all teams that rely on homegrown talent, with one or two outside acquisitions that mattered. Which team, exactly, is the model of UFA success?
I just don’t understand how you can paint GMGM’s FA period as “poor” when a) it’s less than a week old, and b) there are still plenty of quality players available so you don’t really even know what it’ll look like. It’s like grading a final exam after the first 5 questions out of 100 (GMAT aside…). It’s been said ad nauseum, but the Caps didn’t need one of those impact FAs like the rest of the teams did. Maybe if there were 4-6 quality 2C options and GMGM let them all slide it would be one thing, but when Matthew Lombardi is your best 2C option then maybe remaining silent is the best option.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
But neither Poti nor Nylander have made it impossible to acquire players, either through free agency or through trade.
And as for your other points, an impact for a free agent shouldn’t just be measured on what they did the first year with the new team. Philly chose to improve their team via trade (Pronger and Leino come to mind) but Briere was a high-priced free agent that carried that team for 2 series. Chicago signed Hossa last offseason, Brian Campbell was a free agent, Tomas Kopecky another. Montreal had Gill and Cammalieri.
But neither Poti nor Nylander have made it impossible to acquire players
Nylander and Poti’s cap hit made it impossible to acquire Bill Guerin at the deadline during the ‘08-’09 season, along with the contract limit.
If Nylander hadn’t agreed to take a loan to Jokerit, his cap hit would have prevented most of the possible deadline moves made last season.
There’s been real damage to the franchise’s chances because of their cap hits; we’re wary of large contracts for long terms for exactly that reason.
Only YOU can prevent idiots from commenting!
by Knee high to a duck on Jul 6, 2010 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Montreal blows, so lets get that out of the way. If we are doing anything the way Montreal is doing it, we’re doing it wrong. They also traded their highest ranked prospect for what was universally regarded as one of the worst contracts in the league. Carlson for Redden?!
Brian Campbell and Cristobal Huet are the reason CHI has had to dismantle their team, convenient point to overlook. If you are talking about a guy that you are going to make a part of your core, like Hossa, then that’s one thing. Who is the Hossa of this FA period? I like Paul Martin and I think Z Michalek is a nice player, but neither reach the Hossa level that justifies bringing them into your core (especially when you already have drafted and developed Schultz/Green/Alzner/Carlson). Kopecky wasn’t really a huge signing, not the kind of guy that is really going to plug a hole for us. I see you think Cullen would have been a good option (I disagree) so I guess Kopecky’s inclusion makes sense from that perspective. I just don’t see more than 3 deals, tops, that I would have been even neutral toward GMGM signing. The rest of them would have upset me so I can’t really say the FA period has been poor.
Leino was a mid-season acquisition, which is exactly the alternative most of us are advocating. It doesn’t really help your point. And just as you can’t evaluate after the first year, looking at Briere’s great playoffs isn’t exactly a faithful analysis either. We’ll see what that team looks like when they are done re-tooling, but they already asked Gagne to move his NMC. They are almost certainly going to lose him or Carter. Maybe it’s worth it, maybe not. I tend to think that notwithstanding the great playoffs Briere is on a bad (if not terrible) contract that is in no way an unqualified good.
Let’s say 3 weeks pass and all of a sudden the Caps end up with Eric Belanger for 2 years at 2.5 per and Willie Mitchell for 2 years at 3.5 per. That changes the entire dynamic of GMGM’s “poor” free agency, and both are still options. That’s why you don’t hand out grades on July 6.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
It’s not such a terrible thing to have one or two overpaid players on your roster if you can balance it out with young and cheap ones. The Caps need to sign those overpaid players.
With the Caps it’s as much the term as it is the dollar amount. If this team could have overpaid Volchenkov or Lombardi or Cullen for one year, it’d probably have been a good move. But when you’re talking about overpaying someone for 3-6 years, you’re hurting yourself.
by David M. Getz on Jul 6, 2010 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
And, to be honest, the Caps would be hurting themselves even if they weren’t overpaying. I can’t say 4.25 is a terrible amount for AV, but 6 years would kill the Caps. Who knows if he’s earning the 4.25 in years 5 and 6, but even if he is I think it’s highly doubtful that he’s a better player than any of Green/Schultz/Carlson/Alzner at that point, and signing AV means at least one of those guys leaves.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Plus, AV is going to be in a wheelchair before the end of that contract.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
He reminds me of Steve Staios, and that guy did not age well at all.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 6, 2010 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions
full of question marks
121 points last season and they’ve lost, at worst, a couple of mediocre centers, a couple of mediocre blueliners and a mediocre goalie. But they’re “full of question marks”? To be sure, the team has holes, but I’d hardly paint it as the train wreck you seem to think it is.
And that last paragraph… the Caps right now have a couple of high-priced players on the roster (three or four, depending on your definition) and have it balanced out with young cheap ones who won’t be young and cheap forever. I’d rather re-sign John Carlson in two years than be saddled with four more years of Anton Volchenkov, wouldn’t you?
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by J.P. on Jul 6, 2010 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
When I read the OFB post this weekend and the articles on CSN I was shaking my head. This whole “sky is falling” mentality on this free agency is mind-boggling. One has only to look to Ashburn to see what “making a splash” in free agency gets you. GMGM and Ted aspire to more than being offseason champs. Come March, April, May patience might not have been the right approach, but overpaying for a decent player and committing to an unfavorable contract term would probably hurt us more than our inactivity. And I’d like to see us give some guys an opportunity to be promoted – lest we just develop talent to trade it away. Guys like MP, Johanson, and Gordo deserve a look to see what they can contribute. Just my two cents.
by radhghlndr on Jul 6, 2010 4:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
great summation becca. i’m generally in the camp of being behind GMGM’s strategy and am amazed as his patience in following through on the teams plan. he so disciplined, he probably never ever fast forwards his TiVo and really does wait until everyone is served before eating.
however, let me pose this. at some point, the caps are going to have to pay at or above retail value for one of “their guys”. first up looks like HH21 this year. while i’m sure he’s the kind of guy who would play for minimum wage (plus whatever he can make working for AAA), he (his agent) is going to want and deserve at or close to market value either in $ or term or both. after that are the aforementions green, carlson, alzner, a goalie, etc. its going to take 3-5 years before each guy gets his turn at the second/third contract bat. are the caps content to keep their powder dry on bringing in outside guys who can help now for that long? alot can happen in that time, some of it bad.
so while its nice to have flexibility, at some point that becomes a luxury you may unfortunately need to do without (like cinemax). lets take the D position. assume we sign 55 to a three year reasonably priced deal that makes him a UFA at the end. you could spend the next three years keeping your flexibility because you may need to sign him again. and if you need to sign him again, its going to be at market prices assuming he continues to improve. or you could spend todays FA market price for a guy who can help now at the risk of not being able to reup 55 in three years. those are risks that GMGM seems to be unwilling to take all in the name of whats going to happen “down the line”. at some point you are going to need to pay market price, (particularly if you have another 05 draft) why not now (assuming of course, there are guys out there you think can help the team, which clearly there were this year)?
but everytime i step outside in the blast furnace that is the dc area, i am reminded that its just july (on the surface of the sun) and that there are many ways to skin the roster cat. i know one is not to believe 1/3 of what GMGM says and only 1/2 of what he does, but when he says that flash can be his 2C (knowing he has to go to arb with the guy) i taste yesterdays lunch all over again. i really hope he’s doesnt believe 1/3 of what he’s saying either.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
Caps paid market for Mike Knuble. I think they’re willing to pay market for a player who’s worth it and who fits that need.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jul 6, 2010 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions
and, importantly, was willing to sign for a shorter term. Caps also paid market price for Theo, who was happy to accept a short-term deal.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Ok. I love knubs and he has been a great signing. But he’s 37 and not the type of fa signing I was alluding to. I’m talking about younger guys like the top end fa’s we’ve seen being signed. You aren’t going to get away with two year deals for these guys unless you really want to overpay ala hossa in Detroit.
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Jul 6, 2010 8:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m getting in late on this discussion and haven’t read all the comments so apologize if this has already been said…
I agree with almost all of what was written except for the ‘[w]e don’t see action so we assume McPhee is blind to the needs of the team’. That’s not why I assume McPhee is blind to the needs of the team. It’s when he (GMGM) says he’s comfortable with the seven defensemen currently on the roster and in the past has said he feels this roster is good enough to win it all. That may be true but almost everyone else – fans and pundits alike – agree this team needs a little more sandpaper. I would have more faith in GMGM if he were up front and said the same.
I hear you, but McPhee’s just playing coy in an effort to play the market. If he comes out and says “Look, we have a good team; we know we have a good team, but we need to make some changes. We need a second line center and we need another NHL defenseman, make no mistakes about it”, he makes it more difficult to actually get either of those players because he’s already put himself in a disadvantageous negotiating position .
by David M. Getz on Jul 6, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Sweet! And a great gif for this thread convo.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 6, 2010 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I finally understand the Redskins...
I get it now. I come from a pretty laid back area when it comes to sports – hell, when it comes to everything. People in the Northwest don’t freak out when our teams don’t sign big free agents or make splashy deals in the offseason. We just assume that our teams will suck and if they don’t – bonus.
Listening to some of the vitriol (much of it not on here, thankfully) directed toward the Caps management makes me understand the Redskins/Snyder dynamic a little better. If this is the pressure mid-Atlantic sports fans exert for a team that is (at best) a very distant second in the sports market, I can only imagine the pressure that Snyder and Co. must feel every off-season. It’s no wonder they go out and do moronic things like sign Albert Haynesworth for $1Trillion – they’re afraid that they’ll be tarred and feathered if they don’t. Every year, they’re “offseason champs,” and regular season chumps.
If you think the Caps’ roster is full of holes that must be plugged via free agency, try this little exercise:
Imagine that the NHL decided to enforce parity by allowing the worst franchise in the league over the last 10 years to select another organization’s players, prospects and picks – lock, stock and two smoking barrels. In this exercise, the cap is still in effect, but this team doesn’t have to worry about whether or not they can pay the salaries, so you can’t say that Florida or the Islanders wouldn’t spend the money – they’re bankrolled.
Now imagine that you’re the GM of that franchise. You get to acquire an entirely new organization, including minor league players and draftees. Which organization would you pick? Personally, I think you’d be high NOT to select the Caps and that’s not just because I’m a Caps fan. Here are the teams I would even consider:
Chicago – Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson are a great core. Too bad they’re saddled with Soupy and Huet and that Hossa’s cost-performance ratio is only going to go up as he gets older. Moreover, they’ve been forced to trade away some of the depth that helped them win the Cup, as well as some promising young players like Cam Barker.
Los Angeles – Young and absolutely STACKED on defense and in net. Kopitar is one of the best players nobody knows about and Dustin Brown is the kind of player who’ll lead a team to a cup one day. Unfortunately, they’re saddled with Ryan Smyth and Jarret Stoll, and outside of Kopitar, they don’t really have much top-end offensive talent and the one guy they had – Frolov – is likely on his way out of town. Teams can only really play 6 D and one goalie per night, you know.
Pittsburgh - How can you argue with two of the best players in the game, a future perennial Selke winner, a solid defense 1-6 and a goalie that’s taken his team to the Cup Finals two out of the last three years? Pretty simple – that town’s not big enough for Crosby, Staal and Malkin and everyone knows it. At some point, Malkin’s headed out – much like Fedorov had to leave Hockeytown. Fleury is . . . mercurial. Letang and Goligoski have been nice additions, but it seems as though the prospect well runs pretty dry after Tangradi.
Washington - Ovechkin is the best player in the game. Dot. Period. Over. His peers know it. He knows it. We all know it. Crosby has had the better end of the team accomplishments thus far, but that’s what they are – team accomplishments. Nicklas Backstrom, signed to a remarkably cap-friendly long-term deal, is quite possibly the second coming of Foppa – only (knocks on wood) without the wonky foot, ankle and groin issues. For all his foibles, Mike Green is hands-down the best offensive defenseman in the league and Jeff Schultz is a pretty good shut-down defender. And they’ve got some kids coming up behind them that might even be better. The Caps have an excellent young goaltender and two outstanding goaltending prospects. Like the Red Wings of the last fifteen years, the Caps can draft for skill and talent because they have no gaping holes, allowing them to get better players in lower draft slots than other teams might. Moreover, because of Ovechkin, the Caps have an “in” on every single Russian player in the draft. Guys that other teams might avoid for signability issues keep falling to the Caps like pennies from heaven – much in the same way that Detroit’s intensive scouting of Sweden and patience to wait for players to develop over there combined with the allure of playing alongside countryman Nick Lidstrom to ensure that the Wings had an assembly line churning out polished two-way Swedish players like ball bearings for Luftwaffe aircraft. . . and I haven’t even begun to discuss all the players coming down the Hershey Highway. (Sorry, had to.)
Look, I think that if you went to any other GM in the league with the possible exceptions of Chicago, LA, Pittsburgh and (maybe) Detroit, and asked them to trade organizations, they’d say YES so fast their eyes would pop out of their sockets. Even the aforementioned teams would probably take that deal when picks and prospects are factored into it.
We’re in a damn good place, folks. This is what being a perennial powerhouse team feels like. It means we don’t have to go dumpster-diving with the rest of the suckers during the offseason. We don’t need to be offseason champs.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
by D'ohboy on Jul 6, 2010 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 13 recs
excellent analysis here.
The Redskins dynamic…..I think it runs deeply amongst us DC lifers. For many of us, we remember the Redskins glory days, when they were a near-dynasty in the NFL. And, unfortunately, the decline of the Redskins coincided with the rise of the Cowboys in the 1990s, and boy was that difficult to watch. Now throw Dan Synder, who has just bought anything he wants whenever he wants, as the new owner. And its been well over a decade of this sort of Redskins dysfunction. The Caps have a lot of new fans, a lot of them used to the absurdities of the Redskins endless pursuit of an Offseason Championship. They, quite honestly, haven’t a clue how a functional, elite organization is supposed to operate, particularly one that has such a severely restricted salary cap. It’s almost like the have Stockholm Syndrome. The Caps strategy is scary for them because it doesn’t produce the results they expect: big, flashy signings.
Obviously, that’s a bit of a generalization; myself and others here are DC natives and we’re not doing the “OHMIGOD! WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE CAPS?!?!” tear-my-hair-out dance. And I’m sure there are others that are transplants who are doing that dance. But I think the longer the Caps remain at the top of the NHL, the fewer people will be howling to make those silly off season huge contracts for UFA signings.
I hope. Bad habits are hard to break.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
Honestly, it makes me happy to see people freaking out over the Caps like they do the Skins. It means people care on that level. Yes its maddening cause they are damn impatient, but the passion is there for this team and that is a first for this area.
The problem is, the development model in hockey is more like baseball than it is like football or basketball. NHL teams go bad fast when they have impatient fanbases. See: Rangers, NY; Canadiens, Montreal; Flyers, Philly (Briere, anyone?); etc. etc.
Draft picks take several years to develop – it doesn’t happen overnight like the NFL or NBA.
'Cause the end of what it was is what it is right now...
Alex Ovechkin was both a gift and a curse. Now everyone expects the latest Russian wunderkidov to make the jump immediately and have a huge impact.
But I also agree with DonCaps. Damn, it’s nice to see people be passionate about hockey in July. And I’ve been inordinately thrilled to see racks of Caps jerseys and shirts all summer long. We just have to hope the people building the team are smart enough to ignore the loud cries of the ignorant.
#savethekittens!
Donation info for SAVES FOR KIDS 2010!! Make a difference.
well done, this really helps me see things a lot clearer now.
~~~ R0cK D@ R3D ~~~
by Chaz-Capapalooza on Jul 6, 2010 10:24 PM EDT reply actions
Becca, are you implying that Shero overpayed for Martin and Michalek?
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
I think…slightly, yes. I don’t see them as “elite”, although they are very good, but their contracts are more akin to what you would give someone who is on the higher end of the spectrum.
That being said, I think for the Pens, at this time, with the needs they have, these signings are perfectly fine (and probably the best of the wheel o’defensemen that’s going on in the East). I think for the Caps, however, they would have been massive overpayments and contracts with terms that are way too long for our needs.
I’ll bash Shero on other stuff – in this area, I think he did okay ;)
I wasn’t too familiar with Paul Martin before we acquired him, and I can’t speak for you, but John Fischer did a great job of looking at Martin’s stats from this year and last year, and found that he was elite in many categories — even better than Nicklas Lidstrom. Another point is that Paul Martin was NJ’s #1 d-man the last 4-5 years. It’s tough to think that you could nab the #1 guy from a defensive team like NJ without giving up at least $5M.
As to Michalek, he’d be in the conversation for top 20 d-men in the league if he didn’t play in PHX. His QCOMP numbers are insanely high, and he had some of the worst teammates in the NHL, yet he still managed to have a positive raw +/-. He also blocks shots like no one’s business and is a solid member of the pk unit. I can’t see in any way how $4M isn’t a great contract for the Pens, especially considering that he’s entering his prime.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Look at next year
The problem with the signings is that the two combined take up 9M a year for the next five years. The Pens already have 12 players signed for next year whose combined cap hit is approximately 51M. That leaves very little for the 11 other players that will need to be signed. For all of the relatively good FA signings the Pens have made the past few years the adverse result is that the system is bare (their system is rated near the bottom by hockeysfuture.com). In the salary cap era it is an absolute must to keep the system pipeline flowing and contrary to what I have seen posted by many Pens fans it is not just to develop studs (Crosby,Malkin,Fleury) but also to supply reliable inexpensive depth. The notion that the system doesn’t need to supply the parent club because Crosby and the gang are already there is a fallacy.
The problem with the signings is that the two combined take up 9M a year for the next five years.
This doesn’t mean anything without first analyzing the value of the two players.
The Pens already have 12 players signed for next year whose combined cap hit is approximately 51M. That leaves very little for the 11 other players that will need to be signed.
The only holes on the team are bottom six forwards and a 6th defenseman. All of the other positions are taken. And assuming that the cap sees a 5% rise, it’ll go to about $62.4M, which is plenty of money to fill out a club with 3rd and 4th line guys.
For all of the relatively good FA signings the Pens have made the past few years the adverse result is that the system is bare (their system is rated near the bottom by hockeysfuture.com). In the salary cap era it is an absolute must to keep the system pipeline flowing and contrary to what I have seen posted by many Pens fans it is not just to develop studs (Crosby,Malkin,Fleury) but also to supply reliable inexpensive depth.
I don’t think this is true at all. Most AHL guys never make an impact in the NHL, and if players aren’t in the NHL after two years of play, they go from prospect to suspect. The Pens don’t have a ton of talent, but there’s plenty of valuable players that we can trade for who have already proven themselves in the NHL.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
I don’t think this is true at all. Most AHL guys never make an impact in the NHL, and if players aren’t in the NHL after two years of play, they go from prospect to suspect.
Two years is an awfully short time to give a prospect. Most guys come to the AHL at 19 or 20, and giving up at 21 or 22 seems harsh (and bad strategy).
The Pens don’t have a ton of talent, but there’s plenty of valuable players that we can trade for who have already proven themselves in the NHL.
But to get good players, you have to give up quality, generally speaking. The Pens’ farm system isn’t that highly regarded and giving up picks means it’ll stay that way. Trading can only do so much for you.
by David M. Getz on Jul 7, 2010 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
If a guy isn’t going to be ready in two years, then he’s not going to be an impact player (and just to be clear, I know there are exceptions, but I challenge you to find me a top six forward in the NHL that spent 2 or more years at the AHL level). What this means is that, at best, you’re looking at guys who would be 3rd or 4th liners. Whether they come from a farm system or through trades is irrelevant.
But to get good players, you have to give up quality, generally speaking.
As I mentioned above, we’re not after superstar talent. We’ll need some guys to grind it out and play bottom six minutes. You don’t need to give up quality for that.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
I know there are exceptions, but I challenge you to find me a top six forward in the NHL that spent 2 or more years at the AHL level
You don’t have to look far. Chris Kunitz played in the AHL for two years and wasn’t an NHL regular until he was 26.
by David M. Getz on Jul 7, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
David, I’m not looking to get into a big argument over the issue of farm systems and developing players. My original comment had absolutely nothing to do with this.
However, according to wikipedia, Chris Kunitz did not play two or more years in the AHL. He bounced between the NHL and AHL team, and only played one full year with Cincinnati because there was a lock-out. He might not even have played that year with Cinny had there been no lock-out. Had Kunitz spent two full or more years at the AHL level, it’s very unlikely he would have turned into an impact player (and some will debate whether he is even an impact player in the first place).
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Well you are changing the terms from top 6 to impact player. You also started with a 2 year time span and now want to change it to two years in the AHL.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Here’s my original quote:
Most AHL guys never make an impact in the NHL, and if players aren’t in the NHL after two years of play, they go from prospect to suspect.
I’m dealing with impact players, and the words top-six don’t appear in my statement. I also am dealing with AHL guys, since that’s the original subject of the sentence. If I was unclear, I apologize.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
I challenge you to find me a top six forward in the NHL that spent 2 or more years at the AHL level
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Top-six and impact player are the same to me. I don’t see why you’re making a big deal out of it. And the point still stands that I’ve dealt with impact players from the beginning.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Kunitz is a top 6 but not an impact guy.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
This is all semantics, so to each his own. But if he’s not an impact guy, then he isn’t relevant to our discussion.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
To have a better quality of discussion it sounds like you and F&B need to define your terms. Not only estabilsh a set number of years to examine from the time players were drafted until they became full-time NHLers, but also clarify “top 6” and “impact player.” You seem to see top 6 as one and the same as impact player and F&B seems to see the terms as not always overlapping.
(Yes, I know about the avatar hounding - just pretend mine is invisible.)
Defining the terms could help, but basically I just fundamentally disagree with the position he’s taking: that the Pens aren’t going to feel some pain from their shallow farm and that if “guy isn’t going to be ready in two years, then he’s not going to be an impact player.” He can move the goal posts and redefine whatever he wants, but at the end of the day the farm is very important and lots of prospects end up being solid NHLers. His angle of analysis is cockeyed (most AHL players don’t make an impact in the NHL as opposed to saying most NHL players were at one time prospects). It’s a loser argument no matter how he casts it. I don’t think a single GM, especially in the cap era, would say that you could ignore your farm.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Fair point on the lockout, but I was under the impression when you said “in the NHL” you meant for good, rather than as in having spent some time there.
by David M. Getz on Jul 7, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I apologize for being unclear. I didn’t think through the specifics as I didn’t intend to ignite this massive discussion :)
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Jonathan Toews and Zach Parise spent two years at UND. T.J. Oshie spent 3 years at UND. Brooks Orpik spent 3 at BC and 2 more in the AHL. Marty St. Louis spent 4 in college and ~3 in the AHL. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards took their full junior eligibility and a year in the AHL (though it was the lockout year). Nik Kronwall spent 3 years in the SEL and half a year in the AHL after he was drafted. Both Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry didn’t crack the NHL until 1/4 into their third post-draft season.
I know they are NCAA guys, but given your two year timeline it doesn’t really make sense to limit it to AHL duty. And given this “two year” stance on prospects, I take it you think Eric Tangradi is a third or fourth liner?
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
A lot of the guys you cite don’t fit the description I gave. But I’m going to rest my case at this point.
As to Tangradi, wikipedia says that last season was his first season in the AHL (and even this wasn’t a full season), and there’s a lot of hope that he’ll make the NHL jump this year, which would mean that he doesn’t fit my classification.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
But you didn’t even really define anyone. You said 2 years, which is what I found. Now you want 2 AHL years, which means really 4 years after draft for most players.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I was talking about AHL guys from the beginning, that’s why my original quote was:
Most AHL guys never make an impact in the NHL, and if players aren’t in the NHL after two years of play, they go from prospect to suspect.
Since the debate focused on a team’s farm system, I was talking about AHL guys from the get-go. But I’m resting my case right now.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Vicious cycle
I don’t think this is true at all. Most AHL guys never make an impact in the NHL, and if players aren’t in the NHL after two years of play, they go from prospect to suspect. The Pens don’t have a ton of talent, but there’s plenty of valuable players that we can trade for who have already proven themselves in the NHL.
Of course it’s true. I have never encountered this mentality before but a number of Pens fans are basically saying you can have enough talent. (?) That is a completely absurd notion. In baseball and in hockey a teams most valuable resource is their farm system. Teams that have good ones succeed for a long period of time and teams that don’t do not. If the Penguins do not improve their farm system it is not a question of if but a question of when it comes back to bite them in the butt. It will happen. You cannot keep trading and signing to improve the team. It is a proven long term loser of an answer.
Croftonpost, how many AHL players came up and made an impact in the NHL this year? Contrast that with the number of players traded that made an impact this year.
The bottom line is that no one knows how a player’s performance will change when he jumps from the AHL to the NHL. There’s a lot of uncertainty involved, and trading players provides you much less risk and much more consistency.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Well there’s a huge bias in your analysis in that players that are already in the NHL are already established and a prospect by definition is unestablished and thus unknown.
There’s a lot of uncertainty involved, and trading players provides you much less risk and much more consistency.
I don’t think this is really well founded. Sure, prospects are tough to predict, but how did Ponikarovsky work out? How did Corvo work out? In fact, trade deadline acquisitions frequently don’t work out. There’s a shorter list of trade deadline acquisitions that worked out than the list of successful former AHL players.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Well there’s a huge bias in your analysis in that players that are already in the NHL are already established and a prospect by definition is unestablished and thus unknown.
Of course there is a bias. Players in the NHL have demonstrated their level of play at the NHL level, which means they’re established. Prospects haven’t, which means they’re unestablished.
I don’t think this is really well founded. Sure, prospects are tough to predict, but how did Ponikarovsky work out? How did Corvo work out?
Citing two instances among hundreds to thousands isn’t going to do it for me. How would AHL players have worked in their place? I know that Ponikarovsky did not do as well as we expected, but the AHL guys we called who saw some time on the top two lines were much worse.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
I cited two easy to access instances. I also alluded to the high failure rate of trades. I’m not going to walk you through this. Google it if you care, plenty of smart people have written about it.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s no article that firmly establishes the “failure” of most trades.
And my original point was that there’s much less risk when trading for an NHL player than calling up an AHL player. I don’t think that’s too controversial.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Eh, that’s a straw man. Nobody argued that calling up an AHL guy now is better. We’ve been arguing that maintaining your farm and keeping a deep prospect pool is superior to trading away all your picks or prospects for veterans right now.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
We’ve been arguing that maintaining your farm and keeping a deep prospect pool is superior to trading away all your picks or prospects for veterans right now.
The Penguins haven’t traded away all of their picks or prospects (we’ve got quite a few left). While we may not have a super deep farm system, our only holes in the foreseeable future are for non-impact, or bottom six guys, who can easily be found via trades.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
So you are confident that you have the impact wings to fill those holes? Ok then.
Sometimes you need a criminal lawyer, sometimes you need a criminal lawyer.
by Fehr and Balanced on Jul 7, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Shero doesn't agree
One last statement concerning this farm system argument. Most GM’s in hockey would completely disagree with you to include the Penguins GM. He was quoted when he was hired as to the importance of the farm system and he was also quoted last year as being disturbed with the current state of their farm system. 3rd and 4th liners are not irrelevant and are much more easily filled by farm system prospects when the system is functioning correctly. Finally, for another example of how building from within helps the parent club just look at Gordon’s and Schultz’s contracts that were signed the last two days. Very cap friendly.
You know what they say about "assume"
The only holes on the team are bottom six forwards and a 6th defenseman. All of the other positions are taken. And assuming that the cap sees a 5% rise, it’ll go to about $62.4M, which is plenty of money to fill out a club with 3rd and 4th line guys.
I would not assume a 5% cap rise as many think it may go down next year. I’m not saying it will or won’t but there are those that think it won’t. Further, if it does 11M for 11 players is not plenty of money especially if things don’t work out with a player or two this year and another FA signing becomes paramount.
I would not assume a 5% cap rise as many think it may go down next year.
This is what everyone said this year. It didn’t happen. Ultimately, it’s a non-issue, since we’ll have plenty of cap space regardless to fill up with guys who are 3rd and 4th line quality.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Space is space
The problem with the signings is that the two combined take up 9M a year for the next five years.
This doesn’t mean anything without first analyzing the value of the two players.
Ovechkin and Backstrom are great players but their cap number is their cap number and it does matter. It factors in to everything else the FO does. I never criticized the quality of the players acquired (although as in any initial free agency signing period they are very likely overcompensated).
If a player is worth $9M, then paying him $9M isn’t a problem, since you’ll be seeing a full return on the ice. Overpaying for a player is a problem.
Hockey Blogger at Pensburgh.com
Well, I am not a numbers person, but this is illogical to me. The money in a budget is finite (therefore it has to be carefully managed) as opposed to whether a contract is getting good return on the ice or is an overpayment, presumably from your statement because it’s not a good return on the ice.
Amount and term do make a difference in the current and future budget(s). Making a commitment to two players that ties up a a good portion of the budget—which is of course the situation in DC and In Pittsburgh and has in both cases shown excellent return on the ice—does limit what a GM can do elsewhere on the team. This is just common sense. And one should not assume at all that the cap will continue to rise. (Hey it was artificially raised this season).
Perhaps the difference between the two franchises in how they are tweaking the two teams is the terms: 11 years remaining and ten years respectively for Ovi & Backs vs. 3 remaining years for both Crosby and Malkin (weren’t they both 5 years at $8.5 or something like that).
Obviously there is greater urgency in Pittsburgh for success within the window of Crosby’s and Malkin’s contracts. And that may be why FA was a better route for Pittsburgh because the holes had to be filled immediately. There were no choices in the farm of a high enough caliber to guarantee an immediate return.
Whereas the Caps have a longer window for success with our stars but also a serious budget hit that has to factored in as the team is constructed each season. Thus, the Caps really need the farm system to keep funneling in high caliber but cheap players. So letting our best high caliber prospects make the jump this season is more sensible then buying the talent in the FA market. If one or more show that they are not yet ready as the season progresses, then it’s “Let’s make trade!” time.
"I’m very happy to hear the news," Ovechkin said when he heard about Backstrom's longterm contract--"because he’s one of the top centers in the world, one of my best friends and we want to play together for a long time. He’s a guy who wants to stay in one place and be comfortable and win, just like me. We talk all the time about playing together, and we talked after the playoffs about how we can win in Washington."
by capsyoungguns on Jul 7, 2010 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
82 | 54 | 15 | 13 | 121 |
|
Atlanta
|
82 | 35 | 34 | 13 | 83 |
|
Carolina
|
82 | 35 | 37 | 10 | 80 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
82 | 34 | 36 | 12 | 80 |
|
Florida
|
82 | 32 | 37 | 13 | 77 |
(updated 4.12.2010 at 9:21 AM EDT)
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