Caps Qualify Five Restricted Free Agents

by Becca H on Jun 27, 2011 5:25 PM EDT

The Washington Capitals have extended qualifying offers to five of their eight restricted free agents prior to this afternoon's 5:00 deadline. Josh Godfrey, Joe Finley and Trevor Bruess were not extended qualifying offers and will become unrestricted free agents at noon on Friday.

Per Mike Vogel:

The Capitals issued qualifying contracts to [...] defenseman Karl Alzner, forwards Francois Bouchard, Troy Brouwer and Mathieu Perreault and goaltender Semyon Varlamov. In making the contract offers, Washington retains the rights to the five players and the right to match any contract offer made to those players by any other NHL team after the players officially achieve RFA status at noon this Friday, July 1.

Washington has previously signed impending RFA defensemen Zach Miskovic (one year) and Patrick McNeill (two years) to deals for the upcoming 2011-12 season.

The Capitals declined to issue contract offers to three players: forward Trevor Bruess and defensemen Joe Finley and Josh Godfrey. Each of those three players now has unrestricted free agency status and is free to negotiate a deal with any of the other 29 teams in the NHL.

Of the five players to whom Washington did tender contract offers to today, only one – Brouwer – has arbitration rights this summer.

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Look at how happy those two are about being extended qualifying offers!

by marky narc on Jun 27, 2011 5:27 PM EDT reply actions

Jackets didn’t qualify Lepisto…. hmmm…..

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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 27, 2011 5:28 PM EDT reply actions

World champion Sami Lepisto! Too bad he doe

by Sjomin on Jun 27, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

sn’t address any of the caps’ needs.

by Sjomin on Jun 27, 2011 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I’m more interested in the other CBJ guys that are going UFA.

Obviously, this is all speculation.

by Rob Parker on Jun 27, 2011 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m actually somewhat interested in Scottie Upshall… but he was going UFA anyway…

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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 27, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I’d be interested in him, I thought we were talking D though.

Obviously, this is all speculation.

by Rob Parker on Jun 27, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

What other Blue Jacket D will be UFAs? (Yes, I could look it up but you seem to have a name or two in mind…plus I’m lazy.)

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Jun 27, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

speaking of Blue Jackets D… what would it take to get Fedor Tyutin? UFA next summer and a very reasonable cap hit….

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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 27, 2011 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Ohhhh…I think that’s the one F&B might have been referring to, I know JP covets him as well. Definitely a possibility, although I’d bet that “reasonable cap hit” thing goes out the window depending on what other D hit the market. UFA pool gets more and more shallow every summer.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Jun 27, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

free agent in 2012, but next season has around a $2.8 million cap hit. Big, defensive, shutdown guy from what I read. And he’s Russian!

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by thebreakawaygoal on Jun 27, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah. See, this is why I should just look things up – thought he was UFA this summer. But yeah, that’s a pretty reasonable cap hit. Would love to have that guy here, wonder if CBJ will be looking to move any money out…

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Jun 27, 2011 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions

So basically he’s a one year rental because he’ll bolt for the KHL after GMGM plays chicken with him?

Everything ends badly...otherwise it wouldn't end.

by Davethecapsfan on Jun 27, 2011 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Or Yzerman convinces him to join Tampa Bay in hopes of creating another Russian 5.

Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.

by CapsFan75 on Jun 27, 2011 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Hejda and Stralman. Mostly I just want Hejda but I’d take Stralman over Lepisto.

Obviously, this is all speculation.

by Rob Parker on Jun 27, 2011 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice.

by jaytown99 on Jun 27, 2011 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

So long Joe Finley

May the road rise to meet you, as the sidewalk so often has.

by privatewl on Jun 27, 2011 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

But. But. He’s the Caps Zdeno Chara!

Everything sounds smarter in Tikkanesse....

by Bonzai!!! on Jun 27, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Darn it! I thought every really tall defenseman will end up Zdeno Chara!?!?

by 8vechkin on Jun 27, 2011 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Jamie Oleskiak is this year’s chosen one as the next Chara.

by jaytown99 on Jun 27, 2011 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m sure OFB is holding a memorial service over the loss of Joe Finley. Prepare yourselves for a 4,000 dissertation on how GMGM is, without a doubt, the dumbest general manager in all of hockey because of it..

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

by RedBirdie on Jun 27, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

That loud sigh of relief came from the Lenox warehouse in Hagerstown…. Finley won’t be smashing too much more stuff with his buddy in the near future…

Winnipeg? Winnipeg??? Oy! (And now it's official...)

by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 27, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Related, some kind of surprising guys being cut loose by their teams – Avs are now officially goalie-less, Pens didn’t give a QO to Kennedy and Steve Sullivan’s heading out of Nashville after 6 seasons. Geez.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Jun 27, 2011 6:05 PM EDT reply actions

Some of the QO decisions are due to fear of arbitration with certain players; it happens every year where some surprise players with no QOs, but this year with no performance bonus cushion, I assume GMs are even more concerned about potential arbitration awards.

On your other team moves note, Tallon makes another deal with Chicago, bringing in Kopecky (Chicago wasn’t going to re-sign the UFA-to-be, so now Florida gets a chance.)

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 27, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup, I know – that’s apparently the case with Salmela in NJ. But I doubt that’s the situation w/ Kennedy and the Avs and Nashville are just cutting ties with their guys.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Jun 27, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions

It is an issue every year, but even with the cap going up, I think the fear of a favorable award and the no cushion has to be a concern for the teams.

Yes, I wasn’t replying to the Nashville/Sullivan situation. Don’t know why, but that didn’t surprise me. The Avs goalie situation, well, they had to do something. Going to be interesting bidding war for Vokoun, I imagine.

You don’t think the Pens were concerned about arb. with Kennedy? I haven’t read anything specific with him, but looking at his stats, which were in part due to playing time due to injured players, I’d think they’d be worried. His 2010-11 season stats on the surface lend to a favorable arb. decision for Kennedy.

In OT – I’m surprised no one posted the McGuire TSN — VS / NBC news in any of the threads. Thought I’d see some entertaining comments.

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 27, 2011 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

They might have been – it’s very possible that they’re working on an extension with him and don’t want the arbitration to get in the way. Seems odd to me, though. I guess we’ll see.

The definition of being a Caps fan is watching the same team over and over and expecting different results.

by Becca H on Jun 27, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

What’s the point at which the team can walk away from an arbitration decision?

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

by Knee high to a duck on Jun 27, 2011 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I think right after (eg, Niemi). I guess the benefit of not qualifying is they can still negotiate vs. either accepting an arb award or letting the player go once the award is determined (ie, can’t negotiate once there’s an arb award).

by Dirk Dangler on Jun 27, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions

No, there’s some dollar award under which the arb is binding and the team can’t walk away.

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

by Knee high to a duck on Jun 28, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I posted the number based on my own calcs yesterday…before the BL announcement.

Last summer: $1,611,026

This summer: $1,632,974

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 29, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Anyway, forgot to add it here, but in case someone comes back to this thread, the above is my math. The number should start showing up soon enough once arb. filings happen.

by sk84fun_dc on Jun 29, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Geez, everybody and their brother thinks their team should sign Bergfors

BComptonNHL Brian Compton
I suppose. Can’t rule it out. RT @tbone31592 Any chance Garth brings Bergfors here? #Isles

PinkIsles G-Wowww
Could we steal another one from FL? #isles RT @BComptonNHL: Kind of surprised Panthers are parting ways with Bergfors.

dkurtenbach Dieter Kurtenbach
Surprised to see that Nic Bergfors was let go by Florida. St. Louis Blues would be fools not to sign him to a two-way. Seriously. #Dieter4GM

mattclausen Matt Clausen
so Bergfors and Kennedy would be nice…..if we had the Roster space…#Isles

kevinbaumer Kevin Baumer
Agreed, cheap two-way deal for the offensively desperate Blueshirts makes sense RT @5holeEric: The Rangers should take a look at Bergfors.

We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?

by bilspacecadet on Jun 27, 2011 7:50 PM EDT reply actions

oops--missed one

ToddCordell Todd Cordell
@tgfireandice Any chance the Devils sign Bergfors July 1st?

We're Hüsker Dü and we're on MTV. Who are you, and what are you on?

by bilspacecadet on Jun 27, 2011 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Bergfors is a legitimately good player who should have been QOed. I hope the Caps sign him.

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

by Knee high to a duck on Jun 28, 2011 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I have given up trying to figure out Tallon’s logic. Duco gets a qualifying offer but not Bergfors? Uh huh.

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by MyFriendCorey on Jun 27, 2011 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

This has been up for 3+ hours and no OFB jokes?

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by J.P. on Jun 27, 2011 8:45 PM EDT reply actions

Considered it, but eh, what’s the point?

That'll make your weagle wink!
The pants that bind us should be left behind us.

by boutros23 on Jun 27, 2011 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions

If we didn’t extend a QO, does that mean we’re definitely not bringing them back?

by 8vechkin on Jun 27, 2011 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

No. It means they’re free agents come July 1 – the Caps could re-sign any of them thereafter (that’s basically how it played out with Andrew Joudrey last year). That said… I wouldn’t bet on it for any of the three.

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

by J.P. on Jun 27, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Not definitely, but highly unlikely considering the ones who were not extended a QO. They could still be offered a lower salary, if I remember correctly.

Matt Bradley: He has sensitive skin, no?

by timmyv38 on Jun 27, 2011 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure. They can be offered anything above league minimum after June 30 – they’re unrestricted free agents at that point. Maybe the team offers a ~minimum salary two-way deal to Bruess. Or Finley. Could happen.

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

by J.P. on Jun 27, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions