Monday Caps Clips
by J.P. on Jun 20, 2011 6:40 AM EDT
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Your savory breakfast links:
- Always a good read, it's Scott Cullen's "Off-Season Game Plan" for the Caps. [TSN.ca (btw, TSN reports that the salary cap is going to increase to $64 million for the 2011-12 season)]
- Brooks Laich's agent: "Clock is ticking." [The Insider On Pittsburgh Sports]
- Drafting well is important in today's NHL, and the Caps have done alright of late. [DCEx (McNally)]
- Hockey's Future looks ahead to the Caps' 2011 draft. [HF]
- Reviewing the seasons that were for Michal Neuvirth... [Corey's Corner]
- ... Mike Green... [Corey's Corner]
- ... and Matt Hendricks. [Corey's Corner]
- Looking for the next Dmitri Orlov (who might be even better than the original). [Copper & Blue]
- Non-controversial Ovi pics. [Alex Ovetjkin]
- Trading headaches? No thanks. [THN]
- Don't forget, we're partying on Wednesday night - show up or get talked about behind your back.
- Finally, it's Joe Corvo's birthday.
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Scylla and Charybdis
Which is the better idea?
A. Giving Laich $5mil per for 5 years
B. Making an offer sheet to Stamkos with a $12mil per year deal over 10 years to damage TBL
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
Tempted to say the former (and the Caps don’t have the picks to pull off the latter), but if you know TB’s gonna match, you’re no worse off (other than reputationally) in the second scenario, whereas a $5*5 Laich leaves you in a spot.
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The Caps are missing a 1st round draft pick over the next 4 years?? When did that happen?
by OvechkinGR8 on Jun 20, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
My bad. Braincramp – thanks for catching it.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Doesn’t par of the compensation include second round picks at some point? I know we don’t have a second this year. Let me also take this opportunity to AGAIN bitch that my work filter blocks capgeek.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Here’s a helpful link that explains compensation
$1,034,249 or below: No compensation
$1,034,249 — $1,567,043: Third-round pick
$1,567,043 — $3,134,055: Second-round pick
$3,134,088 — $4,701,131: First and third-round pick
$4,701,131 — $6,268,175: First, second and third-round pick
$6,268,175 — $7,835,219: Two first-round picks, a second and third
$7,835,219 and higher: Four first-round picks
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
n offer with a $1,034,249 annual cap hit or less: No compensation
More than $1,034,249 — $1,567,043: Third-round pick
More than $1,567,043 — $3,134,088: Second-round pick
More than $3,134,088 — $4,701,131: First and third-round pick
More than $4,701,131 — $6,268,175: First, second and third-round pick
More than $6,268,175 — $7,835,219: Two first-round picks, a second and third
More than $7,835,219 and higher: Four first-round picks
and related information:
2011
Caps own all their own picks except:
- 2nd Traded to Carolina in Corvo deal
- 3rd Traded to Florida in Wideman deal
2012
Caps own all their own picks except:
- 2nd Traded to NJD in Arnott deal
2013
- 7th Conditional trade to Nashville if Caps sign Tyler Stefishen by June 1, 2012 deadline, 2013 7th rounder traded to Nashville
These are last year’s numbers, right? Will all of these numbers rise slightly due to the increased salary cap? Or are these the new numbers already?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
As long as TBL is going to match I’d do the latter, but I don’t want either contract on our books. I guess if we had to take one of the contracts on our books I’d probably take the Laich one. We’ve already seen how AO’s contract looks compared to his goal scoring, I’d expect Stamkos to see the same kind of decline.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
Yeah, there was an article floating around yesterday that the Bolts should model Stamkos’s deal on Crosby’s rather than AO’s.
No shit.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
(It was PHT and Neil just tweeted it.)
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Pet peeve of mine. Re: Ovi’s contract—I hate it when writers throw in a new name, such as Kovalchuk, at the end of an article to bolster a point. It’s misleading. The two contracts, Ovi’s and Kovy’s, have some substantial differences. I hate it when writers treat every long contract as if identical.
Also, although the writer is correct that Stamkos may be better taking a shorter contract now and look for a big payday on his next one, that isn’t necessarily preferable from a franchise’s perspective on the financial front. I wish he had made that counter point.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 20, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, we kept hammering folks last summer for lumping them all together – Ovi, Nick… simply not an attempt to circumvent the cap. Becca had a great post on it:
http://www.japersrink.com/2010/7/21/1580196/manipulation-vs-investment-why-the
But I think the point in the PHT article was more about length of commitment than structure of the deal.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
True. Especially in regards to Crosby’s injury and the risk of injuries overall. I just think it’s bad writing to bring in a new name at the end even if I agreed with the comparison.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 20, 2011 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
And without knowing what the next CBA will look like it’s hard to say what’s best for TBL or Stamkos.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
It’d be hilarious if the new CBA included a roll-back. . . except for the ludicrously front-loaded contracts.
Armareddon.
It makes too much sense. And they don’t even know how to define the front-loaded contracts.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
It’d be easy – any contract where the final value is X% of the beginning value. (Of course, that would require someone in the league office to have two brain cells to rub together.)
Armareddon.
I’m sure the bulk of the union members would love the fact that their representation negotiated to have all of their salaries rolled back… except for the rich guys (who already drive the union’s agenda), who don’t have to feel that same pain.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
Here’s the one thing I’m not hearing about Stamkos, that we all heard when Ovechkin needed to be signed – “What does he want with playing in a Southern city where they don’t care about hockey? Why not Montreal or Toronto?” It’s not like that didn’t motivate Ted to give Ovi such a big contract or anything.
(Yes, they’ve won a Cup and they beat the Caps in the playoffs, but the point still remains.)
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Oh, I’ve seen some “get him to Toronto” articles. The reason you don’t see more? Yzerman insulates him.
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I saw some “Backstrom should go to the Leafs” comments on the Off-Season Gameplan article, which made me chuckle.
Burkie will likely find a way to get Backstrom from the caps if he can’t get richards to sign or finalize the trade for Kesler. Backstrom will blossom under a better coach in Wilson and in a system committed to winning.
Tee hee.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
That line can’t be serious. I could see Burke going for him, but does he have the firepower to bring him in? If Kessel is 2 Firsts, Baxter must be 3+. No way Burke makes another trade like that.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
My favorite part is “if he can’t get Richards to sign or finalize the trade for Kesler”.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
Guy needs to talk to the folks over at PPP, the acceptable unicorns are Statsny and Stamkos.
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Unicorns. Now that’s a good description for delusional dreams of acquiring our Nicky.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 20, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, there was that matter of a bribe last spring…
"I remembered when he said that and I kind of looked at him during the warm up and told myself that I got to shut these guys out tonight." - Michal Neuvirth, 02.06.11.
TBL walks away from that, pockets 4 firsts and lets whatever chump wants to pay Stamkos 12 mil per year pay Stamkos 12 mil per year. Easily the tougher quandry than paying Laich 5×5.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of Tampa Bay, they are trying to re-sign Sean Bergenheim but are not seeing eye-to-eye yet. Is he someone the Caps should be trying to pick off? I liked him a lot in the playoffs, but he’s a LW and we have a bunch of those. I think.
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No thanks – he’ll be overpaid.
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Yup. Doesn’t really fill a need, despite the fact that Pierre spent most of the playoffs pumping the guy’s tires.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Sean Bergenheim last year? Dominic Moore?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh, sure. Every year there are one or two or three 1-year free agency signings where the guy just wasn’t getting any good offers, but overall, they tend to be overpayments.
And Bergenheim’s great play was pretty much just the playoffs. 29 points in 80 regular season games does not scream top tier free agent.
There’s an average level of production you get from UFAs every year per dollar against the salary cap. The key is to find guys that will outproduce that level of payment. Much easier to do on RFA deals and ELCs, but you can also find that kind of surplus in some of the lower-tier UFA guys.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
If we could get him on a similar deal to what he played on last year, he’s a great buy. He’s not gonna sign for that, though, and value is the most important consideration in the UFA market. The more surplus value you can get, the better the team is going to be.
Bergenheim probably won’t be a value contract going forward.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s a joke there that I won’t make.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
This quote is about Carolina, but it applies around the League:
ice_chip Chip Alexander
On UFAs, Rutherford said: “The way the players have positioned themselves, they want to go into July. That works both ways.”
Also, San Jose announced that Nichol and Mayers will be UFAs’ not re-signing with SJS before July 1 (actually what I read is that they won’t be back.)
Brooks Laich, the newest Pittsburgh Penguin.
"And as it’s my personal opinion, I’d appreciate not being told it’s stupid, thanks." - BeccaH
They only have 7m (if the cap goes up to 64) in Cap Room, and a bunch of other guys to re-sign. I don’t see it happening.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions
Mostly for Gouldie (but potentially interesting for others), re: birthdates – http://www.defendingbigd.com/2011/6/20/2232929/success-of-the-dallas-stars-the-effect-of-date-of-birth
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
nice, thanks. Makes that Feb 1 date hockey reference uses seem even more arbitrary
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
That “Trade Semin for Luongo” thing is like something straight off the HF Boards.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 8:25 AM EDT reply actions
One of the rioters in Vancouver was a rising star in Canada’s Men’s Water Polo program
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 8:31 AM EDT reply actions
He tried to blow-up a cop cruiser. He’s gotta do some time, even if he’s only 17, yeah?
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I would imagine, and he probably should. Right now him and that Asian kid screaming outside the store are the “faces” of the riots, along with the kissing couple.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Canadian law is pretty lax on minors, isn’t it? I forget the term, but I figure he gets a conviction that gets erased if he stays out of trouble for a while.
Don’t try to figure Sasha out. Just ride the wave.
Probably – sounds like he’s from a good family and whatnot (it’d be way OT for me to suggest that it might be different with different demographics here).
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"Finally, it's Joe Corvo's birthday"
Hilarious.
Washington got Ted Leonsis as karmic return for Dan Snyder.
by bronco6778 on Jun 20, 2011 8:51 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I’m waiting for the “77 Reasons to Hate Joe Corvo” thread.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Why the hell not. I’ll start…
1. He punched a woman and then kicked her when she fell to the ground.
2. His punishment for that was 30 hours of autograph signing.
3. This goatee/frosted-tips combo.
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4. His “I don’t know why they brought me here” comments
And he cocked both his pistols and he spit in the dirt; And he walked out into the street
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions
5. Followed by proving he shouldn’t have been brought here.
6. That tattoo.
7-whatever. Every single game he played in a Caps jersey.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
8. He claimed to know exactly what AO was going to do…and then watched as AO continued to score goals against Carolina with Corvo on the ice.
"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 Jun 20, 2011 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions
9. That other tattoo.
That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.
10. He never liked Tattoo from “Fantasy Island”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
11. He probably pops his collar
"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 Jun 20, 2011 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
12. His name sounds like “Corvette,” but he plays like a “Corvair”
If you've read this far...seek help.
13. Tequila puns.
"And therefore I looked down into the great pity of a person’s life on this earth. I don’t mean that we all end up dead, that’s not the great pity. I mean that he couldn’t tell me what he was dreaming, and I couldn’t tell him what was real."
- Denis Johnson ("Jesus' Son")
by Rather Bengt on Jun 20, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Even if this D is better than Orlov, being Russian and the 55th ranked skater I’d doubt he goes in the first round, or even that close to it. The Russian factor is still obviously there, and he’s not being billed as among that top crop so I think GMs are going to go with safer bets, as per usual with Russians, and he falls until the late second. We don’t have a 2 or a 3 so if GMGM wants him he’ll be reaching in the first. There are likely to be better D at that pick, so I’ll let another team go for the next Orlov.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
In my profile and breakdown of Zakhar Arzamastsev, I talked about the possibility that his offense may hidden and suppressed by a terrible team around him
Offense hidden by a terrible team around him? Maybe he’s not the next Orlov, but the next “Green,” who was the second leading scorer on a team that won seven games in the season before he was drafted.
If you've read this far...seek help.
Maybe, although how can you use “his offense may be hidden and suppressed by a terrible team around him” and then compare him to… another guy on his team. He didn’t do any sort of KHL-wide comparison, and none of us have a great handle on what KHL scoring means, so really the nut of that entire article is that he outscores Orlov at ES, and depending on how you guess his ESTOI (it’s really just a guess), he outscores him by more or less. Depending on what other assumptions you build in, it’s more or less impressive (sure, Orlov probably plays harder minutes, but that’s probably not that big a deal).
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
That entire article should be Act III of “Small Sample Size Theater.”
There’s a damn good reason why you send scouts to scout players and don’t rely on statistics. The marginal difference in scoring between the two players could be nothing more than a few lucky bounces.
Armareddon.
And we are talking about a league of which we have very little understanding. You can’t operate off of NHL assumptions when you evaluate the KHL.
But he’s a rigorous statistician (an Extraordinary one!), no way those guys would ever build an analysis on a small sample size, they know better.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
More Arzamatsev analysis here: http://www.coppernblue.com/2011/6/17/2228295/Zakhar-Arzamastsev-nhl-draft-prospect-oilers-pick
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Rookie Marcus Johansson was eased into action, but he thrived when given more responsibility in the second half of the season, scoring 20 points in his last 40 games of the season, when he started playing a more consistent 15-16 minutes per game.
This seems kind of obvious to me. I know with some player you talk about them getting better with more ice/responsibility (we’ve had that discussion with Semin), but I don’t think there’s any way to make that case for Mackan. He didn’t get better because of more ice, he got more ice because he got better.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
I disagree, but I don’t have time for a Keynes-Friedman discussion on it. Suffice to say, I think there’s some chicken-and-egg thing going on. Personally, the reason I wanted to see Johansson in the “A” when he was struggling was because I thought he wasn’t getting enough ice time to get comfortable. Once he started killing penalties regularly and playing 15-16 rather than 12-13 minutes a night, I think his play improved. While I’d agree that his play improved prior to gaining added responsibilities, I think that he improved again once he started playing more. Sort of a “dual plateau” thing going on.
Armareddon.
I think his numbers, bad as they were, would have been atrocious if the Caps tried to give him the minutes in October/November that he got in March/April. He really wasn’t ready for it.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
On that, we agree. That’s why I wanted him to get those minutes in the “A.” It all worked out in the end though. Except for, you know, the Cup thingy.
Armareddon.
There are only a handful of defencemen that have fewer penalty minutes than Jeff Schultz (109) over the last five years, but none of them is 6-foot-6, 230 pounds like Schultz. So, he could be more physical and play with more aggression, but he’s also never been a minus player in five NHL seasons.
So good.
A kitten on fire, a baby in a blender, both sound as sweet as a playoff surrender.
A bounce-back year from Schultz + healthy Poti + healthy Wideman + continued development of Hot Karl and JC Superstar . . .
Decent argument for best defensive corps in the league.
Armareddon.
How about a bounce-back/healthy year from MG52?
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Was assuming that. Even without a major up-tick in boxcars, Green’s defensive improvements were substantial enough for me to put the Caps in such a lofty category.
Armareddon.
The health is obviously where he really needs to bounce back – the rest will take care of itself if 8 and 19 remove their heads from their respective asses.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
You mean asses from their heads
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
OK, so… we get a healthy year from Green, a bounceback year from Ovechkin and Backstrom (say, another 15-20 points from each), we get a soupcon more nasty from Mr. Nasty, we get a decent year from Wideman, etc., etc.
And that gets us to, what… 120 points again?
What about the spring?
To answer that question, I might be more interested to see what the Caps do about fowards who aren’t top-six in skill or how they will replace Hannan on defense.
If you've read this far...seek help.
“Our best players have to be our best players.” And “We need the guys who aren’t our best players to step up.” In sum, everyone needs to be good. Duh.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
They also “need to play 60 minutes of hockey” each night.
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
SlavaMalamud
It’s official: Zinetula Khaidarovich Bilyaletdinov has agreed to coach Team Russia. American announcers… it may be simpler to just quit now
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
His nickname is “Let Down”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t see this when it came out, but I’m writing a short piece on an LA player and spotted it:
http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/2011/5/5/2149763/whats-broken-part-three-mixed-messages
Seems to me there’s a lot of applicability here for the Caps too. And it’s a pretty good read. I definitely recommend it.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
Thanks for the link. Interesting read and somehow suitable for today since BB is on the menu.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 20, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Good story. I had dismissed Poni as a potential FA signing but maybe that was too fast. Defensibly responsible winger, with a big body that goes to the net, 20 goal upside, can probably be had on a 1yr deal in the $2-2.5 million range? I think I’m a buyer.
by Dirk Dangler on Jun 20, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
It may be a question of whether he wants to stay in the NHL. I’m sure he can get a multi year deal in the K. I’m not as certain he’ll get a multi in the NHL for anything close to what he was making last year.
by Dirk Dangler on Jun 20, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Btw, lest you think we were done with Wraps, it’s suit day – Bruce at 11:00, George at 2:00.
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Gosh we get a doubleheader today. Should be fun.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 20, 2011 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
So Leonsis directed general manager George McPhee to rebuild a barren roster using the NHL draft as the primary tool. And no team over the last decade has been more effective at that task.
Interesting assertion from McNally. If it’s really true or even close to being true, at what point do we start hearing other clubs saying they need to follow the Washington model for drafting instead of Detroit’s?
Not the favorite topic around here, but Pittsburgh?
Also, interesting (only reading the portion above) to read that as Leonsis making that decision, rather than McPhee. My understanding was that it was McPhee convincing Leonsis to approve the firesale and rebuild.
Speaking of Pittsburgh, as a result of this post, I was looking over the Pens draft history for the last decade …I knew Bissonette and Carcillo were both Pens’ draft picks, but never realized before now that they were consecutive picks by the Pens in the 2003 draft, yikes.
imagine how much more you’d hate Pittsburgh if the Caps faced a squad with those two 4 times a season.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
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No team has been more effective over the last decade?
Pittsburgh drafted: Orpik, Fleury, Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Letang, Kennedy
Chicago drafted: Keith, Byfuglien, Seabrook, Bolland, Brouwer, Hjalmarsson, Toews, and Kane
Each has a Cup, and one has been to two finals.
Seems like hyperbole to me.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 20, 2011 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions
And what exactly would the Washington model for drafting be, anyway? I can think of a few principles the Caps follow. (Cast as wide a net as possible, and don’t preference any region above any other. Don’t worry too much about international agreements, and just draft the best player available, even if there is some concern that they may not come to the States. Stock up on goalscoring, playmaking, and defensive defensemen through the draft — acquire physical forwards another way. Don’t be afraid to draft goalies.) But there’s not really all that much in my mind that defines the Caps’ model for drafting, other than just taking the best player you can.
Most teams use most of their draft picks most years. Sure, the Caps got themselves better picks by being horrible for a while, but there are horrible teams every year. I’m not sure there’s really anything that sets the Caps apart.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
(other than the personnel, I mean. But you can’t teach “Ross Mahoney,” and there’s only one of him)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions
And you can’t teach lucking into AO, who’s the second-best #1 overall pick in quite a long time.
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by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
According to LeBrun on Twitter, Lidstrom’s coming back next season.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:01 AM EDT reply actions
I hope it’s true. Love watching him play.
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by The Ghost of Bebop on Jun 20, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Per CapGeek:
With all signs pointing toward a $64m cap, here’s the upper limit’s evolution: $39.0m, $44.0m, $50.3m, $56.7m, $56.8m, $59.4m and $64m.
Pretty remarkable – that’s an average increase of 8.7% (and 6.3% since crossing the $50m mark). And pretty important for reasons we’ve discussed before. Say the growth continues at 5%. That means that in Year 5 of a five-year deal starting July 1, the cap would be at ~$77.8m. A $4.5m deal today represents 7.6% of the cap. In Y5 (with that projection), it’s down to 5.8%.
Point being, obviously when we discuss a player’s new deal, we look at the immediate short-term – is $4.5m too much for Brooks Laich next year? And we should. But, over time, the number becomes more and more favorable to the team. Put another way, if you think $4.5m*5 is overpaying Laich by $1m, that’s an average overpayment of 1.4% of the cap… which doesn’t sound crippling to me.
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Question being is this growth sustainable?
Between the questions about the cap max going forward and a new CBA, there are risks to viewing a contract from the perspective of the deal gets better in year 3 and 4, for example.
On growth, either Rovell or one of the SBJ guys tweeted awhile back that post-lockout, the average growth % is second only to the NFL. Doesn’t answer the question of whether it’s sustainable (might not be) obviously.
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by Bald Pollack on Jun 20, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair points. But ~5% growth might be conservative – should be, if the League has any idea how to grow a business.
In any event, it’s hard to imagine that growth of some sort doesn’t continue – which would make any deal more palatable financially (all else equal) going forward. And if there’s a rollback in the next CBA, everything gets rolled back, no?
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My point about the new CBA was not about a rollback, but what other changes might happen related to the cap and contract structures.
I don’t know that I agree about 5% being conservative for the NHL. Things like the move to Winnipeg will provide some additional revenue in the short-term and there’s the new tv contract, but I haven’t looked at specific growth numbers so this is just reaction on my part.
I believe I read relocation fees aren’t factored into the league revenue number used to determine the salary cap. I’ll look for a link.
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 Jun 20, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
They’re definitely not (per Mirtle).
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I meant the revenue from the sold out arena and other marketing stuff, not the fees from the move itself.
Ah, ok, Makes sense.
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 Jun 20, 2011 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I predict a big jump next year, as the TV deal revenues kick in, followed by a flattening of the curve, since a lot of the attendance “softness” has now been used up. Barring the building of bigger arenas, the only way to increase ticket revenues is to raise prices or play more games. And I don’t think they’ll be playing more games anytime soon.
Though relocation/new team fees don’t factor in, if the NHL were able to add a couple of new, enthusiastic markets, that would be good for everyone as well. But, of course, they need to sort out Long Island and Arizona first.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Isn’t the floor now where the ceiling was at the time of the lockout?
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Per CapGeek again:
Since some of you asked, here’s the floor’s evolution: $23.0m, $28.0m, $34.3m, $40.7m, $40.8m, $43.4m, $48.0m.
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The floor rising has to be hard on teams on the lower end of the financial spectrum.
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On the bright side, it gives the bigger market teams the luxury of signing players to ridiculously terrible contracts, making it so we can all point and laugh at them.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I saw some tweets yesterday that made it sound like Bryzgalov signing with the Flyers was becoming more realistic a possibility. Has anyone seen any numbers specific to a contract with the Flyers / has anything leaked about the offers?
By the way, if the Islanders were to taken on both the contracts of Sheldon Souray and Nikolai Khabibulin, they could add 6.15 million cap dollars this year and 5.25 mil next year, while only paying out 2.75 mil in buyout costs both years. They would then have to pay Khabibulin 2.5 million over the remaining two years without any additional cap hit, but saving 3.4 million this year and 2.5 million next year would easily make that worthwhile.
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In the last year of Ovechkin’s contract, assuming a five percent per year increase in the cap, Ovechkin’s contract cap hit would encumber 9.6 percent of the cap, down from 14.9 percent in 2011-2012, assuming a $54.0 million cap.
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by ThePeerless on Jun 20, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
$64.0 million, that is
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by ThePeerless on Jun 20, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Woe betide the small-market teams (COL, NSH, FLA) if this keeps up. Bettman and the owners know the score. If this keeps up could we see more franchises franchise move its team, or fold altogether… or we may go through another lockout.
by S h a g g y on Jun 20, 2011 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of the Panthers, have they signed Gudbranson yet? Changes the game if he goes back into the draft.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d imagine that the next CBA will see a greater discrepancy between the floor and the ceiling.
Armareddon.
Why isn’t the floor:ceiling a ratio rather than a hard number? Why isn’t the floor held at a constant X% of the ceiling? If revenue sharing is based on the ceiling number, not sure why it shouldn’t be percentages down the line.
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I was wondering the same thing with respect to the floor-ceiling difference. Who decided that and why?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
knowing a little about collective bargaining discussions, I think the answer is probably “dude, we already had enough moving parts in this thing. Nobody was really focused on that, so we picked something and went with it.”
I wonder who should be unhappy with it. The players get their 53% no matter what, so I wonder if they want to change the gap. I suppose a smaller gap helps the grinders and a bigger gap helps the stars, both because richer teams can then overpay the stars by more and because a high ceiling lifts the small boats more than it affects the huge yachts.
Owners of big and small market teams would probably both like a bigger gap because it gives them each more freedom to do what they want (blow the budget or hold tight to their cash like Scrooge, respectively). But a smaller gap may make for more parity and better competition.
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by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
As the ceiling goes up, the gap obviously shrinks (relatively).
If we agree that owners and star players want a bigger gap (for reasons you state), are we to believe that the rank-and-file union members are driving the static delta? If so, it might be the first time in sports history that the low-paid guys’ voices are heard louder than the stars and the owners… so I’m not sure that’s it.
As for the “moving parts” argument, is “$16m” really that much easier to deal with than, say, “60%”?
Parity is a good answer (though it may be generous to think that either side really has “the best interest of the game” in mind), but even that’s not wholly convincing. So I’m going back to the players – all of them – wanting a firm number. Why do the high-priced players want that? Because it forces teams to overpay everyone – as the cap goes up, the floor increases at a faster rate than the ceiling; the minimum payout in salary rises faster than it would if it was pegged as a constant percentage of the ceiling. That helps grinders AND big money players, as teams have a higher required floor. Salaries up across the board. Union win. Right?
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I really don’t think they thought this issue through to this depth. Not thinking about how things were going back then. I bet the players said “we don’t want any team to be able to pay a huge amount below the cap. We want a floor. To protect all the players in small markets.” And the owners said “OK, what do you propose.” And I bet the 16 million number was just standard negotiation (down from 20, up from 10, or something like that) based on what everyone was looking at then, at the time. And then they moved on.
Maybe I’m not giving them enough credit, but I really believe they probably didn’t think very hard about this one. The players wanted some floor, the owners didn’t care all that much, and it got set where it did. That’s my theory.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
With that many lawyers billing by the hour, I bet they spent plenty of time on that point. Wonder if I can find out anything…
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J.J. Fromkansas offers this answer on our internal SBN Google Group:
It’s probably as simple as their decision to make the cap $8M above the midpoint, then realizing that if they called it “midpoint”, it would make sense to set the floor just as far away from that amount as the cap is.
Midpoint is calculated as what they figure the players’ share (let’s just say 57% for ease) of the average NHL team’s revenues would be. Cap ceiling was built in to give the teams that make above the average an opportunity to spend closer to their 57%. I’d be willing to bet that none of the owners even considered that the floor would become this much of a problem when they set it as such.
That makes some sense, I suppose (I’d thought it was the ceiling that was directly revenue-based, but if it’s the midpoint, obviously it’s gotta be in the middle of something… but why make it +/- $8m and not +/- 25% of the midpoint?).
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Not the only team, but another note related to this:
Russostrib Michael Russo
“Next season, cap hits for Mikko Koivu, Nik Backstrom, Marty Havlat, P-M Bouchard, Zidlicky total $25.83 mill (more than 05 payroll) #mnwild”
Now that’s an interesting stat.
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Putting it in terms of 1.4% of the cap is a bit misleading,
since there’s also a salary floor. If someone knows what the floor is at a $64m cap, I’d love an exact number, but I’ll roll with $42m for sake of argument.
You’ve gotta play out $42m in cap dollars, that’s a given. You can spend up to $64m in a season. So you’ve got a delta of $22m between those two numbers, of which an overpayment of $1m represents 4.5% of your available surplus. In a game where small differences in rosters matter as much as they do in the NHL (the difference between good teams and great teams just isn’t that big), that sounds a lot worse than 1.4% of the cap.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Just z’d. If the floor is $48m, that’s a whole lot worse. You don’t have too much cushion to overpay if the delta is only $16m.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Fair points, but that’s neglects, to an extent, that you’ve also got guys outperforming their deals (Carlson, Neuvirth) that balance it out. Obviously you’d ideally maximize the value of every contract you’ve got, but a $16m delta – if you’re a cap team – excuses a lot of overpayment. If every single player on this 27-man roster had a cap hit that was 20% overpayment, you wouldn’t even clear $15m ($14,906,359.20).
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If you’re willing to spend up to the cap, then the floor (and the delta) is irrelevant.
If you’re unwilling to spend much above the floor, then the cap is irrelevant.
If your budget is somewhere in between, then that’s all that matters.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
The floor is the lower-bound for every team – it’s the starting point for everyone, you start adding marginal dollars from that point.
The Capitals are a cap-team, competing in a league with a mixture of internal caps and other cap-teams. Resetting the coordinate system to reflect the minimum that all their competitors must achieve is much more fruitful analysis than involving the entire range of salary possibility below the floor.
For the Capitals, who already have a significant amount of money tied up above the floor for next season, overpaying by a million is even worse – the other bad contracts are sunk costs, can’t do anything about those other than move them.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Why is resetting the coordinate system to reflect the minimum that all their competitors must achieve more fruitful for the Caps? It’s not like McPhee started with 48 million dollar team and then was asked to add Ovechkin, Backstrom and Green to it. He has built the team to the Caps’ own budget. Why should he care about any number other than the Caps’ number?
I get that bad teams would prefer to spend 30-something million but are forced to spend 48, so the average price of a player goes up. Apart from that, why is another teams’ constraint of any import to Georg McPhee when he allocates funds?
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by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Because the Caps absolute level of ability is irrelevant. What matters is their ability in relation to the rest of the league, which is at least partially related to the rest of the league’s spending power. Given a GM that isn’t Tambellini, that should establish a baseline for where other teams are in terms of ability.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
But the marginal dollars don’t just start at the floor – they’re everywhere, on every deal. Some teams have to overpay to get guys to come to their city. Some have to overpay to make it to the floor. Some get hometown discounts, some are loaded with ELCs, etc.
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Right, the total value of the players relative to the average production per salary cap dollar starts at zero, but every team has to spend at least $48m. You can only add $16m in marginal salary cap dollars above the floor, so wasting $1m of that is a much bigger deal than wasting $1m of 64m.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Sure, and it’s a smart way to look at it. But I still think that $16m gives a team a pretty wide berth, as I noted above – every single guy on last year’s 27-man end-of-season roster could have been overpaid by 20% and you still don’t get to $16m.
The bottom line, of course, is the same – you have to be smart with your money and keep overpayments to a minimum, off-setting them where possible.
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Overpaid meaning 20% more than they were being paid at the time? Doesn’t that put the total salary up near $80m?
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
No, I mean for example that if Ovechkin at $9,538,462 is a 20% overpayment, he’s overpaid by $1,907,692.40. Run down the players and add up that overpayment and you’re at that ~$15m number.
Obviously it matters more on bigger deals (if Tyler Sloan was overpaid by just 20% in 2010-11, he only cost an “extra” $140k).
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Ah, yes. In a vacuum, that’s true. But then you look at the top teams in the league and how much they’re getting in terms of value and that’s the standard you must meet.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Jun 20, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don’t get it. Are you saying 48 Million matters to McPhee because it causes salaries to rise league-wide? Why is McPhee looking at the 48 Million at all?
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by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I can’t fathom a $100 million dollar salary cap. There are plenty of teams who don’t even utilize the entire space now, around $60 million. That sounds like a recipe for big market teams turning into teams with multiple superstars while smaller markets whither away.
But Steven Stamkos is no ordinary star. From Kevin Dupont of the Boston Globe:
For discussion’s sake, let’s say someone offered Stamkos 12 years at $144 million. He would be only 33 at the end of the deal. Come the end of the 2022-23 season, if the cap were to climb at the rate it has since it began at $39 million in 2005-06, the nut would be hovering right around $100 million by then. Over the final 5-6 years of the deal, $12 million would begin to look comfortable.
As for the Bolts, what would they receive if they chose not to match? Perhaps not as much as you think. Per CBA compensation rules, any player who receives an offer above $7,835,219 brings the maximum package in return: four first-round draft picks. Provided the addition of Stamkos turns a team into an elite contender, those four picks, one per year, likely would net the Bolts a player in the 22-30 range each year. In other words, no guarantee that any of them eventually will make an NHL roster.
All in all, it’s typically not a play general managers are eager to make. However, Stamkos is so young and such an unusual unique commodity, you can bet at least a handful of GMs are considering that kind of package for him.
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I’m bullish on the NHL, but I wouldn’t count on it rising at the same rates for that long. A lot of the “easy” revenue that was available is now being collected. I think they may be running into a place where they’ll plateau a bit.
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by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I know this has been discussed already, but it’s mind-boggling to think that anyone in Jagr’s camp would have talked to the Capitals about a return. Npt buying it.
/starts laughing
/stops briefly
/starts laughing again
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
USAToday, via Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
Jagr also has approached two of his former teams, the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers, about signing with them.
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I wonder how long it took GMGM to stop laughing and say “no thanks”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully he hung the phone up before whomever it was got a chance to say “Howardsternrules.”
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by Bald Pollack on Jun 20, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
“Mr. Mcphee? You have a call holding from a Mr. Robert Booey”
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions
He probably thought it was Belanger’s agent fucking with him.
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by J.P. on Jun 20, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Still not buying it, not sure why Jagr and or his agent would approach the Caps and yes, the Leonsis/McPhee reaction …if it happened the reaction would be priceless.
did he actually contact them, or just claim to, a la Bryz’s agent claiming interest from Washington and Toronto?
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Well that’s why I noted that I’m not buying it…I find it highly unlikely that they actually contacted the Caps unless his agent was in hibernation for the last decade.
maybe the agent contact the Caps at 3 am after too much alcohol. “George, look, Jaromir really misses you. he’s sorry he hurt you. George, baby, he just wants to give it another chance!”
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
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stephy3930
So basically I just imagine Jagr sitting there calling every NHL team in alphabetical order.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
“Washington, Winnipeg…Winnipeg? Oh hell no.”
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
“Winnipeg? That must be a typo.”
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
McPhee: Yeah…
McPhee’s Secretary: It’s Petr Svoboda calling from his office.
Svoboda: Hello, George? This is Petr Svoboda, Jaromir Jagr’s agent.
McPhee: Yeah…
Svoboda: I wanted to call and say Jaromir remembers you fondly from the years he played there and he’d love to come to training camp for a shot at this year’s club.
McPhee: Who is this?
Svoboda: What?
McPhee: Is that you, Tolbert? This isn’t very funny, ya know. I’m hung over. My head is killin’ me. If you were gonna pull this shit, you could’ve at least said you were Gretzky’s agent.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 20, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
just let me state for the record that the Wings would be eff’ing idiots to sign Jagr.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
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as if I didn’t wish horrible things on the Wings already…..
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
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Eh. Low risk, high reward. He becomes the new Modano.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
just let me state for the record that the Wings would be eff’ing idiots to sign Jagr.
And yet, Holland has said that they have talked to his agent and are exploring the possibility.
Honestly, if Jagr said he’d play here for around 2-3 million I’d say go for it. And that’s coming from a long-time Caps fan.
It wouldn’t be worth the headache it would inevitably bring.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Now that the Rink Wraps for the players have been completed, I wonder about the fanbase’s expectations for this team. Of the 23 players rated, 15 were considered to have met or exceded expectations. Of the 8 below this Mendoza Line, only 4 played the full season. Is there a correlation between the performance of the team and the individual players? If so, then I submit that the Caps “weren’t what we thought they were”. If the fanbase shaped its expectations for the team to be SC contenders and it won only 4 playoff games, then I expected many more ratings below “5” for the players.
"You just have a sense," Holland says. "The type of player you want, the type of situation you reference for your next game, you see it."
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Jun 20, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions
That robovoter — he doesn’t know hockey at all
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I tried to work around the obvious manefestations of that phenomenon.
"You just have a sense," Holland says. "The type of player you want, the type of situation you reference for your next game, you see it."
by Acer Jonesy's Laughker on Jun 20, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I always thought coming into this year that they’d make the Conference Finals at best. There were a lot of holes going into this year that were never really addressed. And it’s still a really young team.
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by YvonLabresMoustache on Jun 20, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
They still finished first place in the east in the regular season, and second place in the league. We still got to watch an awful lot of good hockey in the regular season.
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There is a development in the Varlamov-to-KHL situation. More to come… #Caps
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
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Smart money is on that development being “large offer on the table.”
Ball’s in Varly’s court, it would seem.
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The only interesting part of the tease from my perspective is it sounds like he talked to Varlamov not Varlamov’s agent.
Really? That’s the only interesting part?
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Until we hear more of the info., yes, if the tease was that he talked to Varlamov’s agent, I wouldn’t be waiting for the next reveal. Possibly hearing Varlamov’s views about the goalie coaching changes and KHL/NHL situation for next year will keep me tuned in for now.
Eh, any news will be interesting to me. If it was Varly’s agent or a KHL team confirming an offer, it’d be interesting (though taken with a shaker of salt).
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Different views…what does the agent stating there’s an offer from a KHL team tell us? From my perspective, little to anything.
It’s information reported by a credible reporter. And with our local scribes apparently asleep at the wheel on all things free agency, I’ll take what I can get.
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Regardless of the source, unless it was an announcement of a done deal with a KHL team, I don’t care what an agent states about KHL offers. Information from Varlamov is of a lot more interest to this fan or information about the situation between Varlamov and the Caps.
Of course. And when you read Laich’s agent say there’s nothing set up in terms of further negotiations, it’s not of at least minimal interest to you?
This is a very, very dumb conversation we’re having, btw.
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ok, it’s a dumb conversation, I’m talking specifically about agent speak and the KHL so no, I don’t view news from Laich’s agent the same way although I always view agent speak with a grain of salt.
In related news, FWIW, by my count, Varlamov has played 78 regular season and playoff games in the NHL in 3 NHL seasons so technically he is waiver exempt to start the season if I’m reading the goalie waiver rules correctly based on his signing his first NHL contract at 20yo (he has to reach 80GP so he has one more game before he’s waiver exempt.)
Not that it matters because no one expects him to sign a two-way contract and he’d have to clear re-entry waivers if they sent him down on a one way contract.
I just meant that it was dumb of me to concern myself with what someone else may or may not find to be of interest.
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It tell us that Varly is at least listening to offers from the KHL. I take any KHL contract news with a grain of salt until it is official, but Slava is much more reputable in my opinion than some of the guys posting on Russian sports websites that I read through google translate.
by vtcapsfan99 on Jun 20, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
KHL reports Varlamov agrees to deal, but pulls groin signing contract. Out indefinitely.
If you've read this far...seek help.
by ThePeerless on Jun 20, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Why Stan Bowman Should Be Texting Him Right Now:
because he’s a big, young goaltender with a lot of upside who will still be easy to put on the roster with a two-way deal and a cap hit below $1 million.
Easy? Below $1 mil?
"Shots aren't the important thing. Scoring chances are way more important than shots." - Bruce Boudreau
See my work on WaPo's Capitals Insider, ESPN Insider and Russian Machine Never Breaks (RMNB) Insider. I also log the Caps scoring chances. The 2010-11 summary spreadsheet is posted on Google Docs.
Follow me on Twitter @ngreenberg
They also refer to sticking him in Rockford. There’s no way he’d stay in the US if there was a possibility that he’d end up riding buses in the A.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
And Rockford… I don’t know if any of you have ever been to Rockford, but it’s as depressing of a city as you’ll ever visit.
Why would Varlamov sign a two-way deal?
Nope.
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Just to be clear, so if and when he signs with another NHL team we get compensation depending how much his deal is? If that is correct, and he wants to go maybe it is in the caps best interest to let him go. He is very young, maybe he is home sick? It might help him long term psychologically.
If he is still RFA with the Caps per NHL/CBA rules and he signs with another NHL team via an offer sheet, then yes, the Caps would get compensation if the Caps chose not to match the offer.
Tim Hunter (and Keith Acton) out as asst. coaches in Toronto…Greg Croniin (leaving Northeasthern) and Scott Gordon in those spots
Hunter’s been with Wilson an awfully long time. I always wonder about these seemingly undercutting-type moves…
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I see it the other way – if Wilson made the decision, he’s still in control of his staff. If it came from above, it’s only a matter of time before he’s gone.
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Acton’s been there long enough to warrant a Jurassic Park sequel.
"And therefore I looked down into the great pity of a person’s life on this earth. I don’t mean that we all end up dead, that’s not the great pity. I mean that he couldn’t tell me what he was dreaming, and I couldn’t tell him what was real."
- Denis Johnson ("Jesus' Son")
by Rather Bengt on Jun 20, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Gordon’s the name that caught my eye.
“Brian Burke hires Ron Wilson’s eventual replacement — we’ll see how long it takes until Gordon takes over”
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, he has and it does make things interesting. Is Zettler still on the staff as an asst? For some reason I was thinking he had already been let go, but maybe that’s a faulty memory.
Not sure how much to read into this as not sure Wilson is in Toronto, but given what we were already reading into this:
bradyfan590 Greg Brady
“Seen several pressers w/ NHL ast. coaches intro’d. Never seen one w/ head coach not there. VERY clear Wilson forced to accept Hunter firing.”
Also, in asst coaching news, Columbus hires Todd Richards (former Minn. head coach) as asst. coach.
I am not sure if this is the right place to post this question but I was wondering what the majority opinion is about our second line C position. Can the three Swedish guys take us on a deep playoff run or do we needs another veteran C?
I project Sjogren out as a 45% faceoff man, at best, his first year in the NHL, given that he wasn’t very good on the dot in Sweden.
I’d like to see the Caps get someone more experienced in the NHL and better at faceoffs as the 3C if they’re going to give Johansson the keys to driving the 2nd line. (more on that from me later)
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s important to keep in mind that as has been noted by other Swedish centers, the transition to taking faceoffs in the NHL takes some time due to the differences in the rules, etc.
yup. I’d play him as a wing next year.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I have a feeling that the Caps are going to shore up the third and fourth lines from within (as an aside, I agree on putting Sjogren on the wing as a replacement for Matt Bradley), but there are a lot of FA third- and fourth-line centers on the FA market this year who could fill that role (Rob Niedermayer, John Madden, Marty Reasoner, etc.).
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
But then where do you play Green?
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What, are you crazy? Green’s not a 3rd or 4th line grinder. He’d be wasted in that role! You put him on the second line, across from Semin.
Like, duh.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
OT but pseudo related to Corvo….I read something like 12-14 of the Bruins players were getting tattoo’s after the Cup win..Ferrence flew in a tattoo artist…not the first to document a Stanley Cup win, but seemed like a large number to me…of course, it’s still the first week when the players are in I’m drunk mode.
Ha.
And congrats on working “Corvo” and “Stanley Cup” into the same paragraph – not easy, without also using a phrase like “snowball’s chance in hell.” (Kidding aside, last year was the first time in his career Corvo went to the playoffs and didn’t make it to at least the Conference Finals… all him on those other teams, I’m sure.)
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SlavaMalamud
Varlamov confirms #Caps have made an offer months ago. Not good enough, negotiations ongoing. Also, admits interest from KHL. Meanwhile…
Such a tease.
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… Varly’s KHL rights are owned by Lokomotiv. Sport-Express has learned that Loko will not (can’t afford to) make an offer. But…
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
(here’s where we see if I called it in way back in March)
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
…another KHL team (rich one) is trying to buy Varly’s rights from Loko. They have an offer ready: ~$4/yr, multiple yrs. Loko says…
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…they will sell his rights if Varly wants them to (Loko’s president and the other team are not on good terms). As for Varly…
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
… his comments will be in Sport-Express tonite. In short, says he will take less money to play for the #Caps. Inspired by Thomas’ comeback
!
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
… confident can reclaim starting spot. Hopes the #Caps will offer more than they have so far.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
To clarify: the numbers I have tweeted in the offer by SKA (of course it’s SKA) are NOT officially confirmed, an estimate from good source.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
There’s a Four Loko joke in there somewhere…
If you were Varly’s agent, what would you advise him to do? Would it be wise to sign a 1 year deal, attempt to win the starting job, then re-negotiate after next season?
by JimCareyFanClub on Jun 20, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
If Varly is really serious about becoming the best goalie he can be, then sign him to a one-year deal and let him prove it. If all he cares about is making as much money as he can, then go to the KHL.
wow exciting news (ha ha, not) – so do most assume that the Caps offer was the same terms as Neuvirth’s contract?
Varly’s leverage and performance (when healthy, of course) would warrant a richer deal than what Neuvy signed, IMO. Important to remember (and I know you do) the “when” of Neuvy’s deal – not really all that relevant a starting point for Varly discussions, IMO.
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Yes, I agree about the ‘when’ of Neuvirth’s deal, but I’m looking at this from the perspective of what the Caps offered in March and Varlamov rejected. So you don’t think that was the Caps offer? I was thinking that would be the Caps starting point…
No, I don’t. When Neuvy signed he was a rookie G with a career NHL GAA of 2.80 and a .910 save percentage. Varly, even in March, was a far more established – and better – NHL goalie (injuries notwithstanding).
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I should say that I have no clue what the Caps’ starting point was, but if that was it, I don’t think it was realistic (but maybe as a starting point).
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If Varly stays with the Capitals, that should show all Caps’ fans how committed he is to being in the NHL and winning the Cup. How many ppl would give up that kind of cash and payday? It would say a lot in my book to give that opportunity away…
On the flip side, if he goes to the KHL, I can’t say I blame him. But would suck for Caps, since we would get nothing out of it. :(
Yeah, it’d be hard to blame him – close to home, much more money, guaranteed (presumably) starter’s role, his favorite goalie coach… a lot to like about that option if you’re Varly.
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hmmm, I viewed it as a starting point rather than starting with his QO (but not an ending point) based on watching this organization with contracts, etc., and in the context that they have Neuvirth and Holtby under contract.
I view contracts like Quick’s in LA and bah, I’m forgetting who the other goalie who was signed in that range, as falling in the relevant contracts around the League, with the difference being Varlamov’s KHL leverage but keeping in mind the Caps goalie situation.
That doesn’t mean the Caps didn’t use it. They used Backstrom’s cap hit as a metric for where to put Semin’s one-year extension, even though Backstrom plays a position of greater need and had just completed a career-high season, while Semin was in the middle of an injury-riddled season that limited both his playing time and production.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
Huge difference between a long-term and one-year deal. The numbers only matter there (if at all) in terms of the locker room effect.
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Neither Neuvirth nor Varlamov is going to be getting a long-term deal, though; their deals are going to be pretty comparable in term at this point in their career.
I get the feeling Neuvirth’s going to fire his agent once he hears the terms of Varly’s deal.
Tortorella: Can I get another question? I went in here in a pretty good mood today, too.
Larry Brooks: So did I.
Tortorella: Well, you obviously f***ed that up, didn't you?
I doubt it – they made a business decision to take guaranteed money over the risk of not being able to get as much. It happens.
And agreed – no matter what $ Varly wants, I wouldn’t be interested in a lengthy deal with him.
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In other words, Neuvirth’s leverage and performance (as of today, not last fall, of course) would warrant a richer deal than what Neuvirth signed.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
No question. Neuvy gambled and lost on his current deal – good for us Caps fans, bad for him.
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I’d like to “lose” something and get 3 million dollars
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Think of it as him losing $2.3m (or whatever), not losing and ending up with $2.3m.
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Huh. Don’t know why I remembered it as 3 million.
Does it only kick in with the start of this season? Maybe I remembered him as making about 3 million over the three years starting with last season.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s it then. I remembered him as getting 3 million total, including last season.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Btw, the McPhee and Boudreau Wraps are up on the front page, if you hadn’t seen ‘em. (Actually, they’re there whether you’ve seen ’em or not…)
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For those interested, just announced Caps pre-season schedule:
Sept. 21- Columbus (Baltimore)
Sept. 23-@ Chicago
Sept.26-@ Columbus
sept 28@ Nashville
Sept 30-Buffalo
Oct 2- Chicago
The website list is a little different:
Tue., Sept. 20 vs. Nashville 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD 7 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 21 at Columbus Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 23 at Chicago United Center, Chicago IL 8:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 26 vs. Columbus Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7 p.m.
Wed., Sept. 28 at Nashville Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN 8 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 30 vs. Buffalo Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 7 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 2 vs. Chicago Verizon Center, Washington D.C. 5 p.m.
"I remembered when he said that and I kind of looked at him during the warm up and told myself that I got to shut these guys out tonight." - Michal Neuvirth, 02.06.11.
As is typical for away preseason games, especially since the Caps often have more of their home games at the end of the schedule, I expect the players for the away games to be a lot of the players competing for spots and prospects, especially on Sept. 23 in Chicago since the Caps Convention is on Sept. 24th.
seems like the Caps always play C-bus in the preseason! I think Chicago is a pretty regular pre-season opponent as well.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
McPhee has stated that he likes Western Conference opponents and in that context, Chicago, Columbus, and Nashville are reasonable distances in terms of travel/costs.
did not know GMGM liked playing West teams in the preseason, but those choices make perfect sense.
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Yes, he’s made that statement before and I heard it again at the convention last summer about playing teams they play less frequently in the regular season, etc.
Also, Molleken is no longer with Chicago or maybe Chicago wouldn’t make much sense :)
Seems like Buffalo’s number usually comes up as well.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
just for fun:
2010
Columbus (2)
Nashville (2)
Boston (2)
2009
Buffalo (2)
Chicago (2)
New York Rangers (2)
2008
Carolina (2)
Boston (2)
New Jersey (1)
Philadelphia (2)
2007
Carolina (2)
Ottawa (2)
Tampa (1)
Philadelphia (2)
Caps fans aren’t on the ledge; they’ve already jumped, and are merely trying to drag others into a mournful descent with them..--Stienz
Pledge Drive 2010-2011: SO KIDS CAN!! Help build a playground
Hopefully Mr. Weber will save his slashing stick for the regular season (and a different opponent) this year.
"I remembered when he said that and I kind of looked at him during the warm up and told myself that I got to shut these guys out tonight." - Michal Neuvirth, 02.06.11.
… assuming he’s still in Nashville.
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@EricFehr16
I’m spending time at the Pinawa charity golf tourny…I won’t be golfing for a while so my bro @matty_python will have to do! #replacements
:(
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
@EricFehr16
I’m spending time at the Pinawa charity golf tourny…I won’t be golfing until after the first round of the NHL playoffs next year so my bro @matty_python will have to do! #replacements
FTFF16
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Hadn’t given it a ton of thought, but if I had to bet one way or the other, I’d bet he’s still here, either because he got hurt again and no one wants him or because he’s playing well and GMGM doesn’t want to part with him when he’s finally breaking out.
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Trent Yawney leaving the Sharks asst. coach position for a head coaching position…or interviewing for one. ..I assume at the AHL or junior level. I saw one tweet speculating that a good chance he lands with Dallas/Texas as the AHL head coach due to his history with Joe N.
Seeing as how the expected salary cap ceiling was announced yesterday by TSN, I’ve been playing around in Capgeek seeing what kind of roster the Caps could have…. here’s probably the best one I managed to make (though I think some of the cap hits might be a bit optimistic)…
CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR
FORWARDS
Alexander Ovechkin ($9.538m) / Nicklas Backstrom ($6.700m) / Mike Knuble ($2.000m)
Jussi Jokinen ($2.500m) / Stephen Weiss ($3.100m) / Alexander Semin ($6.700m)
Brooks Laich ($4.000m) / Marcus Johansson ($0.900m) / Eric Fehr ($2.200m)
Mattias Sjogren ($0.900m) / Boyd Gordon ($0.800m) / Marco Sturm ($0.575m)
/ Matt Hendricks ($0.825m)
DEFENSEMEN
John Carlson ($0.845m) / Karl Alzner ($1.900m)
Mike Green ($5.250m) / Scott Hannan ($3.000m)
Dennis Wideman ($3.937m) / Shane O’Brien ($1.600m)
John Erskine ($1.500m) / Jeff Schultz ($2.750m)
GOALTENDERS
Michal Neuvirth ($1.150m) / Semyon Varlamov ($1.150m)
SALARY CAP: $64,000,000; CAP PAYROLL: $63,821,795; BONUSES: $0
CAP SPACE (23-man roster): $178,205
Moves I made:
- Traded Jason Chimera, 2011 1st round pick, prospect (Perreault?) to FLA for Stephen Weiss
- Signed UFA forward Jussi Jokinen ($1.7m cap hit last season)
- Signed UFA forward Brooks Laich ($4m is a bit more than I’d like but I think, considering the market, it is around what he’s going to get)
- Signed UFA forward Marco Sturm (I put this in as a “restart my career” type signing with a contender; more likely Jay Beagle, whose cap hit is slightly lower, would occupy the 13th forward spot)
- Signed RFA defenseman Karl Alzner (I gave him a slight raise, though I think he might get a bit more)
- Signed UFA defenseman Scott Hannan ($3m might be a bit low, but I put it there so I could add Shane O’Brien too. I think Hannan might get a bit more)
- Signed UFA defenseman Shane O’Brien (I gave O’Brien the exact same cap hit he had last season; he’s a physical guy who’s always welcome to the Caps)
- Signed RFA goalie Semyon Varlamov (I gave him the same cap hit as Neuvy. Seems fair, right? I guess he might get a little more, but not much)
Yes, the cap space is a bit less than ideal, but what moves would you really need to make anymore?
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 20, 2011 4:20 PM EDT reply actions
Looks nice, but I think unrealistic salary wise. Alzner will probably get 2.5, and Varly will probably get 2.
I doubt Brooks comes back to the Caps, or he would have put his money where his mouth was and sign already.
Also Scott Hannan for 3 seems really low. No way we can get O’Brien, nor really need him considering what we’d have to sacrifice.
Love Weiss though, I would do that trade in a heartbeat.
Proud member of the Popsicle Division of the Cupcake Conference.
part of Brooks not signing yet could have been that GMGM just doesn’t want to commit big money until he knows how much the salary cap is going up by… now that he knows he has room, signing Laich for, say, 4 years at $4m per works just fine while it wouldn’t at a $60million cap.
I agree O’Brien would be superfluous… but not signing him means we can still easily afford Hannan (who won’t be getting a raise, at least not in my mind). As well as giving Alzner and Varly more money. Awesome!
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 20, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Assuming that this lineup does happen – I would put make one line Laich-Weiss-Semin and make them a line that takes the toughs. Then give Mackan’s line and AO’s line easy minutes to let them produce.
Just send Erskine to the AHL to give some salary relief.
I have planned my grand attacks; I will stand behind their backs. With my brand new battle-axe, they will taste my wrath. They will hear me say as the pavement whirls, "I hate California girls."
by Steckel Me Elmo on Jun 20, 2011 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Erskine to the AHL would be interesting… I think I would take Shane O’Brien for slightly more money than Erskine to be the 7th defenseman….
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 20, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I think there are a number of unrealistic salaries in here. I can’t see Weiss, Sturm, Alzner, Hannan, or Varly signing for that little. I think the cap hit would be at least $3M higher with their salaries being realistic numbers.
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
I need to correct myself on a misread. I thought you were signing Weiss as a FA, not a trade. But even then, that trade is the most unrealistic part of this whole thing. No way does Florida trade a 2C for a 3/4W and a prospect who has been unable to stay in the NHL despite multiple attempts.
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
About Weiss… don’t forget the 1st round pick. FLA traded essentially one of their best defensemen (Wideman) for a 3rd and a prospect with little hopes of making the NHL.
Hannan for $3m is low, I agree, but I can’t see him making even the same as he did on his last contract. Sturm I threw in as a hopeful; if he gets too expensive, ditch him.
Alzner/Varly…. maybe a little more, but not really that much more I’d think.
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 20, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet Alzner makes almost $1M more than what you put. He’ll get Schultz’s salary, at least. Varly, I don’t think much more – I think he’ll get $1.5M or so.
I could see just ignoring Sturm and putting Beagle in there as 13th, with Hendricks rounding off the 4th.
I see your point with Weiss, but I still stand by my view that the trade you put wouldn’t happen – from either side. It’s not enough to Florida to get Weiss, and I doubt the Caps want to wait until the 4th round to get their first pick of this draft. I think the Caps would be much better off targeting a 3C and bumping Mackan up to 2C.
Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?
First, I still am uncertain that Johansson will be the 2nd line center on a cup contending team next season…
Second, from what I understand this is a worse than average or at best average draft. I say a first round pick is easily worth the tradeoff of getting a good 2C now.
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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 20, 2011 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Loved the Holik entry in this blog entry by Ben Wright/web guy for the Thrashers for a little longer
I think of all the players who have played here Eric Boulton will miss being an Atlanta Thrasher the most. With his contract expiring July 1 it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up. Don’t be shocked if he stays in the southeast when the team heads north.
Eric Boulton to the Caps — y’all buying or selling? Would you take him for, say, $600,000?
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jun 20, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Reading the google translate of the article by Slava about Varly, it sounds like Varly is still very interested in playing in the NHL:
Is there a chance that you will agree to less money to stay in the NHL?
- The likelihood that I will stay in the NHL, is very high. I would really like to sign a contract in America. And even for less money than those offered to me in Russia.
Why do you emphasize his desire to stay in the NHL for less money?
- As I said, it’s a dream of my childhood. And I have it really has not carried out. That is not achieved anything substantial in this league. That’ll get the Stanley Cup, “Vezina Trophy” and MVP of the playoffs – and then tell myself that a career in the NHL was formed.
I’m looking forward to seeing a better translation of this article.
I love google translate:
“Washington” simply do not have the right by appointing the first goalkeeper Cech in the playoffs, turn around and spit in his face, suggesting another keeper for more money."
If Varly is inspired by TT to stay, then good. Varly has the potential to be an outlier—or at least really really good enough to steal games in the playoffs. I am hoping he stays. And stays healthy.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 20, 2011 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I think some of that you are enjoying is actually the way Slava writes.
I had a little trouble understanding the whole money discussion. I got that they were saying the Caps couldn’t offer Varly more money than Neuvy, but I couldn’t understand if they were saying the Caps offer to Varly was for less years and money than the offer to Neuvy. Sometimes google translate fails you.
I did find it interesting that Varly seemed determined to earn the number one spot again:
- Moreover, the situation in “Washington” and more difficult in terms of getting the foundation …
- What am I such a bad keeper? I do not think that I am now a clear number two in “Washington.” Yes, this year I have not played in the playoffs, but this was due to the fact that I missed somewhere almost three weeks before the end of the regular season. And then managed to play only a couple of matches. This is quite natural that the coaches decided not to trust me a place in goal.
I want to emphasize is this: every year all the same chances. Let’s remember Tim Thomas, who last season sat on the bench, and in this – has won everything there is to win. Here we are this season’s start from scratch.
For those wondering about how Irbe leaving affects Varly:
- Care of the “Washington” goalkeeping coach Artur Irbe somehow affect your decision?
- It does not change the situation. It is always hard to part with a man who worked with you, help. But this decision genmenedzhera.
- Prior to joining Irbe you have had problems understanding and Dave Pryor, who now returned to his old position.
- I have three years in America and know the language well. Of course, I still do not give interviews in English, so as not to embarrass people. But I understand almost everything already.
Varly has nearly certainly been offered more money than MN30. He wants the Caps to come up a little (or a lot) more or for another team to play the offer sheet game. I imagine he wouldn’t mind being on another team that doesn’t have the three headed goalie monster. Credit to him for stating his preference clearly but not letting folks forget … he has options.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
But going public like this can also mean he’s not got the offer(s) he’s quite looking for.
You perhaps knew me better as "Your Nation's Capital." Same great commentary, now with 100% more transparency!
If Slava wrote “spit in his face” then yes I enjoyed his colorful imagery. But then I have usually enjoyed reading his pieces—whether properly translated or by google.
I always take google translations with a bit of caution but I liked what I could glean from the interview, such as the TT tale of benching it to reclaiming the number one spot and winning the Cup. Whatever inspires Varly. Thanks for the link.
"Hockey won’t hold still for a portrait. To gain a glimpse inside you join it in progress—just as the players do." Epilogue of 24/7
by capsyoungguns on Jun 20, 2011 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
One prospect Scott Cullen forgot about....
…was Patrick McNeill. He’s been overlooked thanks to Alzner, Carlson, Orlov, and Green, but since being drafted in 2005, he’s quietly developed into a solid two-way defenseman with PP skills. He’s also a non-elite prospect who’s only 24 years old (as of this past March).
Given his complete lack of playing time on the parent team, even when called up last season, I figured that he was probably going to be Lepisto’d, but then they go and resign him to a two-year, two-way contract, which tells me he’s actually in their near future plans. The question is…how near?
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