Ranking the Capitals: #25

by J.P. on Sep 14, 2010 7:27 PM EDT

In an effort to beat the summer doldrums, we're undertaking to rank - with your help - the Washington Capitals (only players under contract will be considered). The criteria is simple: who at this moment is the most valuable player in the organization who hasn't already been ranked? Put another way, if you could only keep one of the remaining players - because of what he brings on the ice or off it, his upside, what he could fetch in trade, and so on - who would it be? Consider age, potential, contract status, organizational depth, etc. - it's your call. And after you vote and defend your selection in the comments, help us out and suggest a name to add to the next poll. [Note: here's a recap of last year's rankings; previous "Ranking the Capitals 2010" posts can be found here.]

Welcome D.J. King to the list and Steve Pinizzotto to the poll...

Poll

Who's the next most valuable Cap?

John Erskine

91 votes

Patrick McNeill

15 votes

Jay Beagle

7 votes

Anton Gustafsson

11 votes

Tyler Sloan

9 votes

Dmitry Kugryshev

23 votes

Francois Bouchard

5 votes

Zach Miskovic

2 votes

Trevor Bruess

1 votes

Steve Pinizzotto

4 votes

168 votes | Poll has closed

If this FanPost is written by someone other than one of the blog's editors, the opinions expressed in it do not necessarily reflect those of this blog or SB Nation.

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Comments

Tempted to vote Pinner here. You know… for his versatility in being able to play wing or center.

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

by J.P. on Sep 14, 2010 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 6 recs

I can has Joudrey to vote for next?

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Sep 15, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions

DK. Just because

never let the truth get in the way of a good story

by toymechanic on Sep 14, 2010 7:29 PM EDT reply actions

Except DK is already #24, so you need to make a new choice.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Sep 14, 2010 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

DK is also Dmitry Kugryshev.

"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box

by Knee high to a duck on Sep 14, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You have a point there. But I recommend specify the name to avoid any ambiguity. Or even first name and patronymic.

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Sep 14, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Common sense works too. King is not on the list for voting.

Voted for Erskine again. Better than Sloan—our backup d-guy.

"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 Sep 14, 2010 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Since King had been under discussion for so long, I assumed that someone may have gotten confused that he was no longer available.

It hadn’t dawned on me at that particular moment that Kuger had the same initials. (How could I possible forget that red hair?)

Rocking the Red since 1975

by CapsFan75 on Sep 15, 2010 7:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Erskine. Of those on the list, only him and Sloan seem to have much of a chance of making an impact on the Caps this season (or maybe next as well) and he is much better than Sloan.

Never underrate the power of the hissy-cow.

by timmyv38 on Sep 14, 2010 11:30 PM EDT reply actions

Erskine for me too. Much depends on his broad shoulders.

In a way, the Caps would be best off if he either has his best season ever, or his worst (making them have to acquire someone). An ambiguous year from Erskine that causes them to hesitate in making a move could be really dangerous.

Atta dinnin stick a who!

by Gould Old Days on Sep 15, 2010 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions