Sunday Caps Clips

The playoffs demonstrated that many of the long-contracted superstars disappeared, while the hungry, short-termed players stole the limelight and contributed significantly more to their teams’ success.

The Blackhawks had six players who were either playing on (Campbell, Hossa, Bolland), or had signed extensions for contracts of at least five years in length (Toews, Kane, Keith) before the SCF.

You could make an argument that it severely hamstrung Chicago’s personnel options this summer and going forward for the next several years, but they can ponder that while gazing into their rings.

I think you’d have to make a hell of a case against Duncan Keith’s deal. For a sub-6 cap hit, you’re getting the best defenseman in the league, barring Doughty making another gigantic step forward or Green putting it all together.

Both the Ovechkin and Backstrom represent a commitment on the part of the organization and the player to the franchise and fans. Both contracts were totally “fair and square” deals, without the silly nonsense envisioned in the Hossa and Pronger deals, and the “failed” Kovalchuk deal. This franchise is now one that players like – we have good ownership, a full building, and a great practice facility.
Enough said…..

AO’s isn’t a bad deal, but it’s probably the 4th best longterm contract. I’d rank them: Backstrom, Keith, Richards, AO.

Backstrom’s, IMO, is easily the best. He’s the only guy locked up for his all of his most productive years, at a bargain price, and not signed through any declining years. When he’s 32 we can reassess and decide if he’s still worth big money and long term. Keith is signed until 39, and while his skating and style may allow him to hold up, I still think it’s a bit of a stretch to imagine he’ll be worth his cap hit, and I’m sure he won’t be a steal at that price. That’s the kind of thing Nick Lidstrom did, and I’m not putting Keith in that company yet. Richards’ contract is a better bargain than AO’s and locked up until basically the same age as AO. Richards and AO both have a rugged style that makes me worry a little about how they will able to play after age 32, but given that Richards is much more of a bargain, I’d put his contract ahead. He won’t ever score like AO but he brings a lot more to the table and comparatively he’s dirt cheap. AO’s is fine and he’s the best player playing right now, but he’s not a bargain and he’s locked up for years that it would be highly unrealistic to expect him to produce to his cap hit.

The next CBA will have come and gone by the time Ovechkin’s deal is up. It’s impossible to know what the world will look like that far out.

It would be preferable for the contract to have expired either when he was 34 and therefore an 11 year deal or at 38 and therefore a 15 year deal.

I don’t get it. Why would these things be preferable?

Not shocked at all to see New Jersey and Detroit at the bottom of this list. Kind of surprised to see the Canes ahead of us.

What was the “age” of the Balckhawks last season? I imagine they got quite a bit younger after selling off so many players.

eh. The ASG certainly has it’s problems, but I don’t think ditching it in favor of the Winter Classic is the solution. The ASG and it’s surrounding events it a rather laid back celebration of all teams and the game itself (however poorly executed at times). The WC is a regular season game between two teams (and given the two teams this year, it’s going to be intense). If I’m a fan of, say, Buffalo or Calgary, what am I really getting out of the WC if my team isn’t playing? Not much. Having done the ASG version of “Fan Fest” I can say it was pretty enjoyable in part because every team is represented. It’s a big “Yay hockey!” day(s) and it doesn’t matter if you’re the only Capitals fan in all of Minnesota—everyone is there to enjoy hockey. I really can’t wait for DC to host an ASG because I think all the extras are just really enjoyable (plus it’s a great excuse to skip work). I even find the skills competition strangely compelling.

The Winter Classic? It’s all about the two teams playing that game.

I admit, I chuckled at the line about Ovechkin running over Talbot. It likely won’t happen, but heh.

PIT wins by a landslide.

Sprang from this discussion

I wonder if we’re as homer-ish about some of our own players.

Please don’t hate me, but what about-
Semin + Flash +Draft pick for Malkin?
We get a 2C and replace semin’s scoring (and can perform in the playoffs)
The pens get a wing (cheaper) who has the same scoring ability as malkin and they need wings badly (already having staal to step in at 2C)

Am i just dreaming? OR! We can ask that they throw in talbot! (kidding)

I don’t even think Chara is 80 physically, but I guess I’ve been overruled. To me physicality is meaningless if you can’t skate. If Andy Sutton could skate we’d talk about him as an 80. Chara doesn’t move well enough for me to put him in that class.

Of course it’ll be the one game I’ll probably be there for.

Let me know when it’s slated to happen and I’ll sell my ticket.

I hope my boys on the Caps (i.e. the two guys who share a (nick) name in common with Obama’s younger daughter) can stay out of the penalty box and refrain from getting ejected in this year’s game with the Blackhawks.