I'm intrigued by Filatov in return for, like, basically nothing. You certainly don't give up a 20-goal player for a maybe. A pick and/or Gustafsson, maybe. Not very much.
I'm amazed Filatov has fallen so far in the collective consciousness. I'd do Fehr plus a first for him any time. Fehr's going to be a good player in this league for a while, but Filatov has the potential to truly replace Alex Semin. No one else in the Caps organization has that kind of ability.
I'm amazed Filatov has fallen so far in the collective consciousness. I'd do Fehr plus a first for him any time. Fehr's going to be a good player in this league for a while, but Filatov has the potential to truly replace Alex Semin. No one else in the Caps organization has that kind of ability.
I'd keep Fehr if possible, but yeah, if we have a realistic shot at getting Filatov (and if GMGM gets the chance to really evaluate his situation, actually talk to him ahead of time and make sure he's not too much of a risk, etc.), then boy I hope GMGM shows some interest.
Trade for Filatov
Consider shopping Semin (maybe for D) or keep him through this contract and let him go when he prices himself out of our range.
All of the sudden you've, potentially, put off a major cap issue for another few years. You can afford to let Semin go when you've got someone who, stylistically and in terms of skill, is probably a little bit of development away from being a natural successor.
I know, it's not realistic, but wouldn't it be fun?
I'm less concerned with center 2-3 years out than I am with wing. I see a couple of potential second line centers in the organization, but not a lot of potential second line wingers. And Fehr, Flash and Laich may be pricing themselves off the team at that point.
I'm amazed Filatov has fallen so far in the collective consciousness. I'd do Fehr plus a first for him any time. Fehr's going to be a good player in this league for a while, but Filatov has the potential to truly replace Alex Semin. No one else in the Caps organization has that kind of ability.
I will counter that I am amazed that people so slightly value proven 20+ goal scorers who are currently producing in this league, on lesser ice time to boot. That is a rare skill and not one to be shed lightly.
Should Fehr or Fleischmann be untouchable? Certainly not. Yet the price ought to be high as hell, for proven talent with some years left (be it under contract or RFA rights). Filatov has potential, but he's a wild card and a player who has yet to deliver at the NHL level. He has value, but he carries risk.
Nope. That one smells like the Toronto media biting on a flimsy rumor, taking the best possible permutation of mentioned assets, packaging them together and calling it a formal offer that a team made to Burke, and printing it. The hockey media up there is real cutthroat.
I definitely think that McPhee was sniffing around all the major defensemen on the block, and that he had formal discussions with all the GMs involved, yet that series of assets, presented as a package? Don't believe it. Any offers probably involved one of the two.
I will counter that I am amazed that people so slightly value proven 20+ goal scorers who are currently producing in this league, on lesser ice time to boot. That is a rare skill and not one to be shed lightly.
Should Fehr or Fleischmann be untouchable? Certainly not. Yet the price ought to be high as hell, for proven talent with some years left (be it under contract or RFA rights). Filatov has potential, but he's a wild card and a player who has yet to deliver at the NHL level. He has value, but he carries risk.
I get all of that, but A) I'm still not a Fehr believer, B) the salary difference between RFAs and UFAs isn't as much as some people make it out to be, and C) Filatov is a potential replacement for Semin, not Fehr or Flash. The only way the Caps are going to get their hands on top 10 talent in a draft any time soon is if they trade for it, and Filatov appears to be available.
Lets say that deal did happened. Flash, Alzner, pick for Kaberle.
Lets say the other two deals happened. Belanger and Walker.
Do the Caps have a better shot at winning the cup with Kaberle over Corvo...this year and next (Since Kaberle has that extra year)?
I go with a yes for this year. If one thinks that Ovie/Knuble/Semin/Laich are good enough as the top 4 wingers then the loss of Flash as a 3rd liner is more than made up for in the difference between Kaberle and Corvo. That also opens up more PP time for Fehr which I'd like to see.
Next year, Flash would be gone and Kaberle's $4.25M would be on the books. Morrison and Belanger would both potentially be gone, and you've got some holes to fill and decisions to make. I guess it depends on what they do as far as 2C and 3C considering the other raises that need to be given out. I'll go with undecided as far as next year goes I guess.
Lets say that deal did happened. Flash, Alzner, pick for Kaberle.
Lets say the other two deals happened. Belanger and Walker.
Do the Caps have a better shot at winning the cup with Kaberle over Corvo...this year and next (Since Kaberle has that extra year)?
This year? Yes.
Next year? No. Kaberle's cap hit and Backstrom's extension would likely eliminate much of the team's depth. Give me a guy who's strength is defensive instead of offensive and PK instead of PP, and I'd be singing a different tune.
