It's not an NHL move and it's not an AHL move. What is it?
To be fair, it really isn't much of an AHL move. It's getting something for an asset you'd otherwise lose for nothing, but you're not replacing his AHL impact. You're either hoping he still has a bit of his NHL upside, or you're looking at him as cheap depth or something.
Bourque will have to be replaced in free agency (if he's replaced at all).
To be fair, it really isn't much of an AHL move. It's getting something for an asset you'd otherwise lose for nothing, but you're not replacing his AHL impact. You're either hoping he still has a bit of his NHL upside, or you're looking at him as cheap depth or something.
Bourque will have to be replaced in free agency (if he's replaced at all).
Obviously, Bourque and Aucoin are huge point producers and contributors at the AHL level and there is still the possibility that Aucoin returns.
One of Bourque's key contributions at the AHL level is playing the point on the PP and PP goals and assists account for more than half of his point production. I think with Patrick McNeill, Schilling and Kundratek on D in Hershey next season, there is less of a need to have a forward playing the point on the PP. More for the Hershey thread, but Potulny IMO was the best forward for Hershey, once he was healthy and with Aucoin in Washington.
While the Caps may think Hamill's chances of making the NHL and sticking are slim and fading, the trade says that the Caps think they are greater than those of Bourque.
Probably a nothing* trade, but with the chance a guy with a strong draft pedigree still makes it, however long those odds.
* Nothing in this instance being an acknowledgement that the affiliation with Hershey exists to help develop NHL players, not win AHL championships, primarily, from the Capitals perspective. This is a guy the Caps have developed for a long time, and a guy whose future just isn't in the NHL. It's a high risk move for the AHL club, but that isn't the Caps' main concern. It's no risk from a NHL standpoint, since Bourque isn't a NHL player.
Remember when everyone freaked out when Pittsburgh claimed Chris Bourque off of waivers?
Man, that was awesome.
It was the Pens. Had little to do with the actual player....lol.
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George McPhee....The Teflon GM. 15 years of failure and counting....
6 - Number of playoff series the Capitals have won since George McPhee took over as General Manager in 1997 (which makes him the third-longest-tenured GM in the League), three of which came in McPhee's first season on the job.
Well the B's resigned Bourque to a 2 year deal with the 2nd year a 1 way deal...
Having a one way year was probably the only way to keep him from trying to find a better fit in free agency. Good for him, especially in the city where his dad built the Bourque legacy.
Having a one way year was probably the only way to keep him from trying to find a better fit in free agency. Good for him, especially in the city where his dad built the Bourque legacy.
Or to help him clear waivers if/when it comes to that.
Its tough to be short in the league. Theo Fleury seems of similar build. The league could use more characters like Theo.
Oh, yeah the NHL really wants a depressed, drug addict. Who will probably walk off a team before training camps......they need skill like Theo's not his character.
Isn't Hamill a centre? My recall of him way back when he was drafted was that he was a pretty shifty player good goal scorer.
I'm not clear on his size. I think he is taller than Bourque.
Does anyone know what kind of opportunities he was given playing up with Boston. Was it as a centre or wing?
I think Aucoin, Perreault and Hamill are all along the same category. One may have a bit more experience, the other some size advantage and the third a slight edge in skill. Who will reign supreme?
Welcome back! You're the funniest guy on our boards. (That doesn't preclude you from being serious too, of course.)
In case you've been on safari...
The Caps are still no threat to win a Cup. They have no coach. They aren't in a hurry to find a coach. 7 yrs of Vechy used up. Semin likely to bail. And, well, all is fairly hopeless. But I think season tix are still selling well enough that the winning doesn't matter.
Welcome back! You're the funniest guy on our boards. (That doesn't preclude you from being serious too, of course.)
In case you've been on safari...
The Caps are still no threat to win a Cup. They have no coach. They aren't in a hurry to find a coach. 7 yrs of Vechy used up. Semin likely to bail. And, well, all is fairly hopeless. But I think season tix are still selling well enough that the winning doesn't matter.
This just made me want to cry. Think I'll start the weekend's drinking now.
This just made me want to cry. Think I'll start the weekend's drinking now.
Hmm, I'm sorry. I mean well. Just try to wake the sleeping giants around here so they'll get start screaming in Ted's other ear--the one he can hear out of.
Life is amazing. Even if the Caps suck (which they definitely do).
Go out and do something exciting and different this weekend. Let's not mope.
Hmm, I'm sorry. I mean well. Just try to wake the sleeping giants around here so they'll get start screaming in Ted's other ear--the one he can hear out of.
Life is amazing. Even if the Caps suck (which they definitely do).
Go out and do something exciting and different this weekend. Let's not mope.
Yeah, I'm good. Sun is shining. Garden is growing out in the new backyard.
But there's a long, dismal offseason ahead, and when you lay it out like that, it's kind of a bummer.
