Capitals 2010 Training Camp Primer
by Becca H on Sep 14, 2010 12:00 PM EDT
Email
Print
It's been a long summer of depression speculation, discussion and dissection, of delving into the minutiae and trying to figure out just what went wrong - while trying to forecast what lies ahead, as well. Trade rumors, free agent conjectures, salary cap manipulation...it's been a fun five-and-a-half months. Twenty weeks. 140 days. 3360 hours. 201,600 min-...ahem.
Did we mention it's been a long summer?
Now just days away from the start of training camp, it's time to step back and look at the big picture. How does each position really stack up coming into camp? Who are the locks and who could be the dark horses? And with some interesting battles and subplots brewing, what are some things to watch as camp unfolds?
Position: Left / Right Wing
2009-10 Wingers: Jay Beagle, Matt Bradley, Jason Chimera, Chris Clark, Eric Fehr, Tomas Fleischmann, Andrew Gordon, Boyd Gordon, Boyd Kane, Mike Knuble, Brooks Laich, Quintin Laing, Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Scott Walker
In the mix for 2010-11: Jay Beagle, Francois Bouchard, Matt Bradley, Jason Chimera, Eric Fehr, Tomas Fleischmann, Andrew Gordon, Boyd Gordon, Kyle Greentree, Anton Gustafsson, D.J. King, Mike Knuble, Dmitri Kugryshev, Brooks Laich, Alex Ovechkin, Steve Pinizzotto, Alexander Semin, Brian Willsie
Probable Caps: Bradley, Chimera, Fehr, Fleischmann (likely as a center), Gordon (likely as a center), King, Knuble, Laich, Ovechkin, Semin
Potential surprises: Beagle, A. Gordon, Pinizzotto, Willsie
Things to Watch: While there are jobs to be had at almost every position, the wing is where it really gets crowded for the Caps. With the top four lines fairly secure on either side (even with Fleischmann's probable move to center), the margin of error for Hershey vets hoping to move up is razor thin. To do so they have to unseat a veteran - hardly a guarantee considering their competition, particularly on the top two lines.
Instead, the focus will be less on who makes the cut and more on how that logjam settles down. With a new contract in hand, how much time does Eric Fehr earn this year - and on what line? Does D.J. King prove himself as more than just a three-minute-a-night, press box-warming enforcer? With all the depth at wing, does Brooks Laich end up as a second-liner or a third-liner? Questions to be asked, and hopefully answered, over the next three weeks.
**********
Position: Center
2009-10 Centers: Keith Aucoin, Nicklas Backstrom, Eric Belanger, Chris Bourque, Tomas Fleischmann, Alexandre Giroux, Boyd Gordon, Andrew Joudrey, Brooks Laich, Brendan Morrison, Mathieu Perreault, Dave Steckel, Kyle Wilson
In the mix for 2010-11: Keith Aucoin, Nicklas Backstrom, Jay Beagle, Trevor Bruess, Cody Eakin, Tomas Fleischmann, Boyd Gordon, Anton Gustafsson, Jake Hauswirth, Marcus Johansson, Brooks Laich, Mathieu Perreault, Steve Pinizzotto, Dave Steckel
Probable Caps: Backstrom, Fleischmann, B. Gordon, Laich (likely as a wing), Steckel, Johansson, Perreault
Potential surprises: Eakin
Things to Watch: While the Caps have plenty of holes to fill and issues to fix, there's no question that the biggest question mark continues to lie down the middle. Just about everyone with a hockey brain and a pulse understands and has outlined ad nauseam the Caps' need for a solid second-line center - barring a move and/or signing in the near future, that job appears to be Tomas Fleischmann's to lose, but he'll still have competition from both Marcus Johansson and Mathieu Perreault for the role.
The reality is that beyond über-center Backstrom, no one's really got a claim on a specific line. Expect the battles for second-, third- and fourth-line duties all to generate some serious heat in camp, especially if someone like Steve Pinizzotto (or even Cody Eakin) starts making Steckel and Gordon look over their shoulders.
**********
Position: Defense
2009-10 Defensemen: Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Sean Collins, Joe Corvo, John Erskine, Mike Green, Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrisonn, Brian Pothier, Tom Poti, Jeff Schultz, Tyler Sloan
In the mix for 2010-11: Karl Alzner, John Carlson, Sean Collins, John Erskine, Brian Fahey, Joe Finley, Josh Godfrey, Mike Green, Patrick McNeill, Zach Miskovic, Tom Poti, Jeff Schultz, Tyler Sloan, Dustin Stevenson
Probable Caps: Alzner, Carlson, Erskine, Green, Poti, Schultz, Sloan
Potential surprises: Collins, Fahey, McNeill
Things to Watch: As is the case through much of the roster, the drama on the blue line lies not in who will make the team but where he'll play when the roster is set. Carlson and Alzner will be on the team - who they skate with and how well they do once they're in the NHL full-time is another question, an answer to which we hope will take shape sooner rather than later. Who they're paired with, how much ice time they're given and how well they perform in preseason games will go a long way toward determining just how comfortable the Caps are with this current crop of blueliners.
Beyond that the focus for defensemen will really be shaping the Hershey defense in the wake of losing both Carlson and Alzner to the NHL. It's a hole for the defending Calder Cup champs, but one that will also provide an opportunity for Collins, McNeill, Miskovic and newcomer Dustin Stevenson to step up and try to earn big minutes. And never discount Finley - after all, he's a guy that Bruce Boudreau sort of likes...
**********
Position: Goal
2009-10 Goalies: Jason Bacashihua, Braden Holtby, Michal Neuvirth, Jose Theodore, Semyon Varlamov
In the mix for 2010-11: Braden Holtby, Michal Neuvirth, Dany Sabourin, Semyon Varlamov
Probable Caps: Neuvirth, Varlamov
Potential surprises: Holtby
Things to Watch: In previous years, the Caps have gone into camp with at least one established veteran and one or two youngsters clamoring to play backup. This year, it probably won't be a question of who makes the NHL roster so much as who will be the #1 guy. Varlamov and Neuvirth both have their pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, fans and detractors - and both are hungry to be The Guy in net. All in all, the battle between the two is already shaping up to be one of the more interesting subplots of the 2010-11 season.
56 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Nice job in general although I haven’t finished reading.
Some knee-jerk comments from the watching Hershey/prospects perspective…
Joudrey should be listed as in the mix at center and Pinizzotto should only be listed under winger, not at both center and winger. If there is someone to list under both center and winger among the Hershey guys, it’s Beagle. As a nitpick, Bourque and Giroux should be listed as departed wingers, not a departed centers given their roles while with the organization and playing time in the NHL.
Re: Joudrey, I’m basing who is included as “in the mix” solely on the roster that is on the Caps’ site (with just one change, I took Nylander off). And when it came to players from last year I put them in the position they’re listed at, not where they may have played because there was too much depth.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Thanks for the reply.
The Caps site was not updated as of a couple of days ago; I assume someone just missed a player when they did the update or because Joudrey isn’t in town yet for a new picture and wasn’t under NHL contract last year, he has not been added yet. In general, the site on nhl.com by team is a more accurate listing of players under contract. Joudrey is showing up at camp on an NHL two-way contract and IMO, he should be listed under the centers.
As far as positions, Giroux and Bourque have primarily played wing their entire stint with the organization, not just because of depth so from my perspective, it’s not accurate to portray them as players that played or competed for positions with the NHL team at center. Pinizzotto is a winger at the AHL level and pretty sure the Caps consider him a RW.
It’s never easy to do a list like this…see Finley for the Caps and the winger/D issue, but I do think there are places where one has to use information to improve upon a position designation in a player’s profile.
I don’t disagree with your assessment re positions, but I think that in an organization that has seen Joe Finley’s position become ambiguous, Tyler Sloan become a regular NHL forward, and Tomas Fleischmann become a center out of nowhere and in a relatively short period of time, it’s fair to err on the caution and list guys are any position they have even a slim chance of playing.
More to the point, these are pretty trivial matters of opinion and editorial discretion that are being exercised.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I thought I put my comments in context when I originally made the points and if the point is to discuss roster competition and lack there-of in some places and last year vs this year, I think it’s relevant to the discussion; sorry that you view them as trivial.
The point isn’t really to discuss last year vs this year, though – at least not to the point that we need to discuss where Bourque and Giroux should be listed in terms of position. They exist in the post solely because they dressed for at least one Caps game last year (and in Bourque’s case, ONLY one Caps game).
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
As a reader not the writer, I took the lists to mean here are the players that competed for and earned a jersey at a position last year and here are the players that are competing for that opportunity in the upcoming season.
I posted my reactions after an initial read as to how players were being discussed going forward and IMO, that only includes Giroux and Bourque in the context of where they filled slots last year as it relates to potential opportunities due to injuries and suspensions and performance (trades result in a different roster and therefore a different discussion.)
Moving on…
To my recollection, Pinizzotto has never played center in the Capitals organization, so writing things like “especially if someone like Steve Pinizzotto (or even Cody Eakin) starts making Steckel and Gordon look over their shoulders” is factually incorrect analysis.
It’s not factually incorrect just because it’s never happened – Boyd Gordon spent almost his entire career w/ the Caps as a center but has been shifted to wing on more than one occasion in the last year because of organizational needs.
The guy’s listed as a center/winger, meaning he could play either one and could conceivably be a threat to our fourth line center(s).
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
by Becca H on Sep 14, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I disagree as it relates to Pinizzotto at this time in his career and realistically competing for an NHL roster slot as a center, but I do believe Beagle belongs in that discussion. A simple question though, where is he listed as a C/winger?
And fwiw, having watched Boyd Gordon play for both Portland and Hershey, he played wing and center in the AHL, too, especially under Boudreau in Hershey.
(Oops… thought we were talking Beags.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I am not and was not disputing the confusion on different player profiles about a player’s position, especially someone like Beagle who does play both wing and center. FWIW, if the sentence about challenging Steckel and Gordon included Beagle’s name in place of Pinizzotto’s it would be accurate, IMO.
Jay Beagle is in both the center and winger sections.
Pinizzotto is listed as a RW on the Caps’ site, a C on the Bears’ roster. My conclusion: he could be either and is treated as such for this analysis.
And your last point underlines mine – that it doesn’t really matter because in this system, under this coach, positions are often merely suggestions that can be adjusted depending on the team’s needs at any given time.
I did my best to put guys into categories that fit where they would be competing, often in more than one category.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
I looked several times and didn’t see Beagle listed under center for 2010-11, I did see him listed as a winger. If it was there all along I apologize. It’s accurate to list him in both places. I’ll agree to disagree on Pinizzotto.
Thank you for adding Joudrey’s name to the list.
Shifting from center to wing is not uncommon; shifting the other way is less common, and expecting a RW from Hershey to challenge two established NHL centers is like saying Knuble will challenge for the second line center role. There’s no history on which to base that speculation. (Unfortunately, the AHL doesn’t appear to keep faceoff percentage so I can’t verify it, but I don’t think Pinnizzotto has ever taken a faceoff at Hershey.) Also, Gordon played center and right wing at Hershey—he was Steckel’s right wing on the 2006 Calder Cup team.
You’re blinding trusting the player’s listed position on the Internet without regarding what role he has actually played and developed in the past several seasons. How can that be trival or accurate by any stretch of reason?
I’m not blindly trusting anything – I’m basing it on the sites that provide information for the two teams he’s played for, and on having some knowledge of him from previous camps.
Furthermore, did I say I expected him to do so? No. I said there was a possibility, and I took one of the names from the list of guys trying out as forwards that I know the organization likes and that could challenge for a 4th-line role, wherever it may be (and it just so happens that there’s more opportunity at center).
Apologies for having chosen a name that is so offensive and unbelievable to so many. I should have just put Cody Eakin’s name in as someone who could challenge.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
tough crowd today.
Nice work-thanks.
back to cool special
by bigonetimer on Sep 14, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
Apologies for having chosen a name that is so offensive and unbelievable to so many. I should have just put Cody Eakin’s name in as someone who could challenge.
It’s not offensive. SK was simply pointing out that, among other things, Pinner is not a center and has not primarily played that position in his time in the organization, and in response, we were told bluntly by the blog owner that it was a trivial matter of opinion. Which is odd, because what position a player plays is not an opinion, and the idea that he could possibly challenge for a role that he doesn’t play, especially when there’s at least one other legit center who realistically would (Beagle, and Joudrey is another), gives the impression that you are unaware of the player’s development or role (he’s not a defense player; he’s more of an agitator/fighter along the lines of what Della Rovere was).
I can understand being mistaken because you went by sources that may have listed the position wrong, but I can’t understand a “who cares” response to constructive criticism. Hence, my initial response to JP.
It was a minor but important point, and overall, the article is good, and I’m happy to see McNeill in there, since many people tend to forget about him.
Giggity.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
by EmilyB on Sep 14, 2010 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Don’t forget the forthcoming depth signing at D and the waiver pickup(s).
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
The NY Jets or the Caps?
"The most important thing - to get to the playoffs and move on." Evgeny Kuznetsov
by Carl Putnam on Sep 14, 2010 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you’re pretty much right on the money here, Becca. The obvious battle in camp is Varlamov/Neuvirth, though Varlamov is #1 pretty much by default from where I’m sitting unless Neuvirth really impresses.
There really doesn’t seem to be anyone on the UFA market that would be an upgrade over Fleischmann at 2C, so I’m guessing he goes into the season in that role. Kyle Wellwood is a good example of the quality out there right now. Who knows, maybe an entire training camp working at it would transition Fleischmann into a legit second pivot.
I think Carlson has a big year ahead of him and deserves to be a top-4, but Alzner is a bit of a question mark to me. I’ve done enough Schultz-bashing around here that I don’t need to go there again, but I don’t think he deserves to be with Green if Carlson shows his skill.
Alzner’s a bit of a question mark to all of us, I think – we’ll see how he does with a full year in the NHL under his belt. Hell, I’m excited just to see him skate at training camp. I think he’s got a lot of hunger to prove himself and a lot of pressure to do so. Can’t be easy to play on a team that’s seen guys go right into the NHL at 19, 20 years old and not be ready, and then see a guy like Carlson pass you buy in a flash.
As for Carlson playing with Green…I’m not sure about that. It’s an interesting concept and I certainly think he’s good enough to eventually be in the top pair but I’d just as soon see him as kind of a Green-lite paired with a more defensive D than having to keep up with (aka cover for) Green.
If anyone needs me, I'll be at Kettler.
Bruce would never pair Carlson and Green together. They’re both right-handed shots.
by Wheeler on Sep 14, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I really see the rookies together as one of the best options at this point. Neither is ready for top-pairing TOI, I think, and neither should have to cover for Erskine or Sloan (leave that to Poti). Initially sheltered but gradually tougher minutes at ES is the way to go, I think (I wrote somewhere else that Erskine-Carlson should be given a look since in ~90 Corsi events they had 63%).
by red army line on Sep 14, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Looking at these lists – particularly the forwards – I’m struck by how the Capitals really haven’t filled any of their depth roles with prospects, but rather with players who are either picked up from other teams or marginal NHLers. I don’t know that’s necessarily a bad thing (okay, I know expecting Sloan and Laing to be regular NHLers is a bad thing), but I can’t help but feel like someone like Beagle, Pinizzotto, Gordon, Wilson, Bourque should have made the team as a regular now.
Maybe it is an issue of ability and/or development, but I can’t help but wonder if the Capitals are risk-adverse to the point of hurting themselves when it comes to giving young, non-elite, talents a chance.
Well those guys are and will always be cheap and easily replaced. So do you roll the dice on Beagle or Pinner or Wilson taking that next step and becoming a legit NHL checker or do you spend a few bucks more on a Boyd Gordon or Blair Betts or whomever that you already know is NHL-calibre? Isn’t a Matt Bradley at $1m well worth the ~$465k more than he costs versus a Pinizzotto?
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I’d do both. If you break camp with 14 forwards, it’d be nice to see one or two young guys getting a chance at the NHL level. Or when you call a guy up, try and give him enough ice time to get some idea of what he’s capable of.
I feel like the Capitals aren’t giving those players that opportunity, although from where I sit I don’t know what the status of factors like talent, development curves, risk, and team composition are playing, which I won’t go so far as to say it’s a problem.
I hear you. And I bet it’s even more frustrating for the kids themselves – I guarantee there’d be a lot more opportunity for them elsewhere.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Which begs a question, would you as a young professional player rather:
a) ride busses in Hershey with the chance to play for the Calder each year with a limited chance to crack the really good big club
b) ride in planes and play in the NHL for a team that is in a tear down/rebuild mode and several years from competing (with no guaranty you would even be around when the team gets good)
Money differences aside, I’m guessing it’s the latter (also, because in the show the practice pucks are all black and the women all have long legs and brains), but I wonder how many guys would honestly say a)?
Just trying to capture the spirit of the thing...
by dcsportsfan1 on Sep 14, 2010 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think b’s a pretty safe bet there.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
I agree with DMG here. I’d also add that while it is generally a bad idea to call up a blue chip prospect to sit him on the bench, none of the guys DMG is talking about fits that description. At this point practicing against NHL players and getting an odd game in would be better for Gordon’s development than simply playing top line minutes in the AHL, especially since he won’t be a top line player in the NHL.
Lockout talk makes me want to go out and choke an old lady - Elliotte Friedman
Isnt this GMGM’s stated belief , for the most part? To have a Matty B or Beagle or Wilson hopefully step up? They’re certainly not ruled out of making the big club. I dont believe the organization simply wants an elite AHL team that keeps racking up Calder Cups as a mission statement.
Isn’t the problem that Beagle, Pinizzotto, Gordon, and Wilson all have similar skill sets and would play substantially the same role?
But I do agree on the risk-averse point. It’s reasonable to have an experience bias to some extent, but having a regular infusion into the NHL lineup of youthful energy, guys desperate to stay in the league and pushing veterans for ice time, is almost always a good thing.
by Stephen Pepper on Sep 14, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn’t the problem that Beagle, Pinizzotto, Gordon, and Wilson all have similar skill sets and would play substantially the same role?
Maybe, in the sense that it could be harder to give someone a chance because it’s hard to choose who gets it. Still, I wish those guys would get some longer looks.
I think we’re sorta moving towards this point. When we resigned Brads, those kids weren’t ready. He’s probably gone after this year. Gordo was RFA this year and teams typically don’t let those guys walk. He’s UFA next year and probably gone. Knuble is probably gone next year which will open up another spot — Fehr wasn’t ready to step up when we signed Knubs. Steckel — well, I think the club just overvalued his skillset a little. King serves a role no one in Hershey can.
So I think it was at least somewhat a mismatch of what the Caps needed and the development of the Hershey guys. Next year should be the year for more of these guys (and if it’s not, your theory is right on).
Looking back from the perspective of the beginning of last season, I don’t think any of the guys you mention were ready with one exception — the guy who made the Caps coming out of camp, and then was waived due to money issues. (And I’d add Joudrey to this list as well) All of those guys except Pinner have skated some for the Caps, and Beagle’s gotten a good long look. The only guy I wish they’d given more of a chance to was Kyle Wilson because I really like his game, but I really don’t think they handled last year badly given the development status of these players.
I’d be very disappointed if they don’t get more opportunity this year. And with the additions of Chimera and DJ King since last training camp, I’m expecting disappointment.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Sep 15, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Yea, can we clarify the Belanger situation? Didn’t we sign him and not announce it because we were waiting to move flash?
The Caps and Belanger reached an “agreement in principle” on a one year deal… there was no actual signing.
I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.
by iwearstripes on Sep 14, 2010 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
According to Katie Carrera writing in Capitals Insider, this is an excerpt from tomorrow’s story about Belanger signing with the Coyotes:
Belanger’s agent, Joe Tacopina, said the Capitals did have a deal to bring back Belanger and even helped him sign a lease for a house in Washington and enroll his two daughters in area schools.
“It’s just disingenuous,” Tacopina said. “Despite a two-way commitment and requesting Eric to commit to them and take himself out of the [free agent] mix, when they wound up not being able to make the trade several weeks later, they decided they couldn’t sign him.”
by Ovietracker on Sep 14, 2010 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve read discussion on other blogs that Belanger and his agent could be filing a grievance with the Caps about that.deal.
Rocking the Red since 1975
Just what the Caps need as training camp is about to start: an Eric Belanger controversy/distraction. As it stands now, it’s a he said/he said situation but could get ugly if Belanger feels he’s been wronged. Or maybe his agent is pushing the buttons and pulling the strings.
by Ovietracker on Sep 14, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
His agent already pushed the wrong button. Don’t f—- with GMGM.
The ice will show everything.
by cuqui on Sep 14, 2010 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’d be absolutely amazed if this becomes a distraction to anyone in the Caps organization.
by mechanicsville on Sep 14, 2010 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Japers' Rink
Related FanShots on Japers' Rink
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
The Vault
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Who are the Non-Smythe candidates for the Devils, Kings?
- End is near for Rick Nash, Blue Jackets as trade discussions set to resume
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
