Upcoming UFA Decisions: Does Fehr make Knuble expendible?

by skyywise on Jan 31, 2011 1:42 PM EST

A friend of mine is a solid Eric Fehr fan and has repeatedly said to me that he thinks Fehr can eventually play the role that Mike Knuble does now: big body who crashes the net with a decent amount of stick skill. Considering that Knuble is 38 and an UFA after this season, what does the community think about whether or not F16 can step into the role of the veteran right-handed right wing on the top line? I intend no disrespect to #22 as I think he has brought a lot of stability and presence to the team, but given his age, his performance this year so far, and projecting forward, I can't imagine he is going to be kept next year unless it is at a staggeringly reduced price.

Basic vital stats (from NHL.com) for the two of them:

Knuble, 38, 6'3", 223 lbs.

Fehr, 25, 6'4", 212 lbs.

Also for reference, a slightly out-of-date salary chart (Semin's extension is not reflected): http://www.thehockeygm.com/was.html

So, does Fehr make Knuble expendible? Alternatively, if not Fehr, then who should the Caps look towards to replace Knuble on the top line, either next season or after?

Poll

Should the Capitals let Knuble go in free agency and look to Fehr to fill that role on the top line?

No, keep Knuble another year regardless of Fehr.

40 votes

No, let Knuble go or put him on a lower line, but Fehr shouldn't replace him.

46 votes

Yes, Fehr has the skill and physical presence to replace Knuble on the top line.

58 votes

Yes, Fehr should take Knuble's role, but Knuble should be kept as well.

26 votes

170 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

I think Knuble’s declining play makes him expendable, more so than Fehr’s ability to fill that role. But, I think Fehr will have ‘dibs’ on replacing him on that top line.

by GusDaMan on Jan 31, 2011 2:34 PM EST reply actions

I was going to say the same. There isn’t an option up there for it though.

Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?

by timmyv38 on Jan 31, 2011 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with this, although I think there is a little more to it.

If Knuble could be persuaded to resign in the $600k-800k range (which seems to be the Caps artificial minimum) for a year, I think it’s worth keeping him around just for the locker room presence. That doesn’t mean he gets top line duty necessarily, I would keep him around to explain when things will not turn into laughers.

My only concern in keeping a guy like Knuble is that it could retard the development of, say, Andrew Gordon, who I do believe could play on a scoring line in the NHL one day.

by leacha on Feb 1, 2011 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

The option I would want to pick from the poll is missing. “Let Knuble go regardless of Fehr.”

This is pending on his results later in the year and the playoffs but right now his level of play can be filled with a cheaper player.

If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

by zephyr on Jan 31, 2011 3:54 PM EST reply actions

The problem is that everyone looks at Fehr and thinks that he should be that Knuble type of player, but he kind of plays more like Flash. He’ll do that net crasher role for a few games but then starts floating and gets benched.

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by apk3000 on Jan 31, 2011 5:46 PM EST reply actions

I think Fehr’d be better if he got yelled at a lot more (see all the time) to keep crashing vs just getting benched. The Caps as a whole could do with that, but then you worry about the tuning out thing

"Instead of watching me all the time for what is wrong with me, maybe you need to watch yourself." Alex Ovechkin

by Icebat on Jan 31, 2011 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

I’m a big Fehr fan. I honestly don’t think he’s a Knuble-type player, nor that he’ll ever be. Better fit on the 2nd line, if you ask me. Since 08-09 he’s been driving the play up ice regardless of competition and teammates, and I think that’s redundant on the top line given AO and 19.

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by red army line on Jan 31, 2011 10:08 PM EST reply actions

Agree with you there, on many points. I think he’s been best on the 2nd line (or a quasi 2nd line, as was the case when they have moved B Mo down with him on the 3rd line). I’ve noticed he’s the one that seems to set up a lot of the plays.

I’m a Fehr fan, as well. Must admit he’s a sentimental favorite as the first rounder of my first daughter’s age group as well but like what he brings to the ice as well. (Fehr is my favorite Cap, outside of Ovi & Semin)

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by CapsFan75 on Jan 31, 2011 11:17 PM EST up reply actions

I think a third line with Fehr and Chimera flanking MJ90 could go toe to toe with most second lines in this league.

by leacha on Feb 1, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

The fact is

Knuble is having a rough year, and he will be 39 next year. As soon as he is healthy, Im all for trying Fehr on the top line. Fehr has done well for the past 3 seasons, and looked to really be hitting his stride in several games right before the injury, and will be just 26 next season. He has a boatload of potential, and could still be a big piece in the long term picture

by Terpsfan#21 on Feb 1, 2011 12:10 PM EST reply actions

IMO fehr will be a big piece in the long term picture if he keeps progressing. He has all the potential and skill to do it

by Terpsfan#21 on Feb 1, 2011 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

Unfortunately...

His numbers are not trending towards progression. They are trending, with exception to one bright spot in late December/early January, towards record lows.

"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak

by Scoops on Feb 1, 2011 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

Thats what I mean

I was one of the fans saying Fehr was having a dissapointing year, but it seemed the last 10-ish games before the injury, he was playing at a high level and looked to really be getting into a groove, but then he got a tough luck injury. Hopefully when he gets back he can jump right back in and get back into that stride fairly fast

by Terpsfan#21 on Feb 1, 2011 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

Can Fehr play 1st line minutes? Maybe its because BB seems to hate him, but he doesn’t play a ton of minutes, even when he plays portions of the game on the 1st line.

I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.

by iwearstripes on Feb 1, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Well, it’s also because Fehr doesn’t play special teams minutes. As far as I know, he doesn’t play much in the way of PK or PP and that drives down his minutes.

by Joran on Feb 1, 2011 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

Fehr’s usually on the second PP. He does average a little over 2 PP minutes per game. He has gotten no PK time at all this season.

Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?

by timmyv38 on Feb 2, 2011 12:30 AM EST up reply actions

No.

This very question is frustrating. Based on the fact that F16 is out on IR with his SECOND major shoulder injury in 14 months whilst Knubes will be enjoying his 938th game tonight, 428% more than Fehr has played to date, answer 3 should be thrown out. Despite his age, Knubes is a warrior and isn’t even in the same class as Fehr. Though Eric may have heart to go to the net, he’s proven time and time again he doesn’t have what it takes to stay there over prolonged periods of time.

Bottom line: Fehr needs a few hundred more games under his belt before he can be even considered in this discussion. Besides, anyone who points to Knubles age as a deterrent just displays ignorance to the fact that Mike started his NHL career mighty late in his mid-20’s and still has a lot left in the tank. Those arguments also do not account for the lack of leadership that Fehr would provide in Knuble’s stead and the tremendous experience and leadership Mike has. Besides, how many Stanley Cup winners do we have on our Team anyway? You really want to be shipping that wealth of knowledge off on an unproven, glorified 3rd liner? (Sorry boys, but that’s all 17 points in 41 games is on any other Team. And that’s what Eric Fehr is.)

"Baseball was my first love... hockey is a sultry temptress and stole my heart." - Corey Masisak

by Scoops on Feb 1, 2011 4:02 PM EST reply actions

Mike started his NHL career mighty late in his mid-20’s and still has a lot left in the tank.

No doubt he does. But it doesn’t take a brilliant hockey mind to see that he struggles to keep up with the kids this season. Seeing fewer minutes on a lower line might help him regain some of the speed that seems to be slipping away, while preserving the veteran presence he brings to the lockerroom.

glorified 3rd liner? (Sorry boys, but that’s all 17 points in 41 games is on any other Team. And that’s what Eric Fehr is.

So if Fehr is a glorified 3rd liner for putting up 8-9-17 through 41 games, what does that make Knuble at 11-9-20 through 48 games? Knuble also gets 5 minutes more playing time per game than Fehr (though in fairness, Knuble averages 1:21 of PK TOI/gm, so only 3:30 or so is ES or better).

I’d like to see Knuble stick around, but I don’t think he has the legs for a 1st line role. My fear with Fehr, is that he doesn’t either.

I am a hockey fan first, and a Caps fan second.

by iwearstripes on Feb 1, 2011 4:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Knuble has shown this season that he can’t keep up with the younger players – that’s one of the main reasons for this discussion. Fehr has the speed to stay with Ovie and Backs, has the scoring ability to work on the 1st line if he can stay focussed, and is big enough to create traffic in front of the net. And you say 17 points in 41 games is a “glorified 3rd liner” – what about 21 points in 49 games? How is that so much better?

Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?

by timmyv38 on Feb 2, 2011 12:33 AM EST up reply actions

Interesting thoughts, particularly the opinions on how Fehr isn’t a Knuble-type player and would be redundant with his skill set on the top line. Of course, the comment about Fehr-MJ90-Chimera being a high-level third line just reinforced the fact that we don’t have a legitimate 2C right now, although either MJ90 or MP85 could grow into that role in the next 2 years.

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

by skyywise on Feb 1, 2011 5:43 PM EST reply actions

From what ive seen

I have been impressed with MP85 and MJ90 so far, and I think right now, either of those guys have the skill and talent to be 2nd line Centers, and both are very young and have a lot of potential.

by Terpsfan#21 on Feb 1, 2011 6:52 PM EST up reply actions

I like Knuble, but not at the rate the Caps are paying him. If he’d come back for a 1-year deal at half the price, I’d jump on it. Otherwise, it’s time to look outside for younger legs and more fire power.

by NHL Observer on Feb 13, 2011 2:43 AM EST reply actions