Trade Rumors and Free Agent TalkTrade rumors, transactions, and free agent talk. Rumors must contain the word RUMOR in post title. Proposals must contain the word PROPOSAL in post title.
$600k? Wow, that's low. What happened to this guy? He's still only 26 years old and a former 1st round pick.
Lack of intensity/effort. Lots of skill, is pretty killer in the shootout, etc. Could never bring a complete game to the ice. Too bad that its come to this point, really. I'm a huge fan of his. Back in his Brampton days he was engaged to my dentist's daughter. (I have an awkwardly good relationship with my dentist). Unfortunately they split when he made the show, but have always still rooted for the guy.
Would have liked to see washington go a more defensive/gritty route, but lets see how this goes.
I didn't really see it that way in NY. It didn't really look like his compete level was low, just that his away-from-the-puck IQ isn't all that high. Obviously he didn't win many board battles, or block shots, but many gifted players skill wise wind up tweeners because they don't retrieve many pucks. He'd fail to challenge defensively when he had help coverage wise, and would not find the open ice when a playmaker was looking to dish the puck. Didn't really seem like he wasn't skating hard enough, just that he'd get lost in the offensive zone and was easy to cover.
At that price, he's a nice addition in almost every way, as long as his duties won't include coverage, or forecheck pressure/generating turnovers.
Wolski has really fallen pretty far. Steadily, too. Just look at his diminishing returns: As a pending RFA, he got Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter back. Halfway through the first year of his new contract he was worth an (allegedly) overpaid defenseman in Rozsival. Just over another year later he got a career AHLer (Vernace) and a third. Now, as a UFA, he's signed for under a million dollars in an offseason where Brandon Prust got 2.5 million.
Or look at point totals. Starting with his first full season, he's put up 50, 48, 42, 65*, 35, and finally 12 points last year.
*This includes the 18-points-in-16-games tear he went on after being traded to Phoenix.
To be fair, in the past two years Rozsival's contract wasn't so bad. He was pretty much on par with what 2nd pairing defensemen were earning. It was the first few years of that contract that made him grossly over paid. 3-4 m for a guy who logs some heavy minutes wasn't bad. If anything it was staying healthy that was Rozsival's biggest problem.
As for Wolski, at that price there is nothing wrong with the signing. He's not expected to be a key component of the Capital's offense so he will get sheltered minutes and that may benefit him.
wow, steal of the summer. such a low risk, for a player that isn't far removed from his best years. but it's on capitals coaching to get the most out of him.
Judging by the fact that 40-50 point players are getting $4-5 million, I think this is great. Absolutely no risk and he could easily get 20 points I think, which would be enough for me at that contract to call it a steal.
Anyone who thinks Wolski hasn't got the potential to be more than a 4th liner hasn't seen him play back with the avalanche.
He's lazy. But there always is the possibility to change your attitude. I mean, he needs to prove himself, otherwise he won't get another NHL contract next summer.
And IF he'll be willing to compete, he'll be on the best contract in the whole league.
Good luck to Wolski and the caps! Good signing!
With all due respect we've been hearing Wolski and potential for about 8 years now. At some point you're going to have accept the fact that he'll never reach his potential or even come close.
I doubt he cares, his next contract will be in Europe where he'll make more money.
Good signing for the Caps. If he plays like crap, no bid deal at this price. On the other hand, this could motivate him to start giving a consistent effort, as someone with his talent level should be signing multi year deals for much more money per year.
If the latter happens, I wouldn't want to be a fan of the team dumb enough to give him a bigger contract.
Hard to find too many negatives in signing Wolski for a price like that considering his skill level...but the guy's compete level is just about the worst in the league. Still, one hot streak and he's worth the contract.
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“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” - Stanley Kubrick
So the Caps top six forwards thus far appear to be:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Laich
Wolski-Ribeiro-Brouwer
I know Laich is normally a C/LW, so either he gets bumped to the third line or he's going to have to play on his off-wing on one of the top two lines.
That leaves the following as their bottom six forwards:
Hendricks-Johansson-Beagle
Ward-Perreault-Crabb
While the Caps have finally addressed their need to improve their center depth, adding another legitimate top six forward would really help their overall forward depth.
We are definitely lacking in the top 6, while I love Laich, just don't see him as a permanent 1st line wing. Wolski & Brouwer are questionable for top 6 spots long-term IMHO. We really need a 1st line winger.
Signing Wolski, especially at 600k, is worth it for the shootout upgrade alone (and 10-12 minutes a night of inconsistant play). If he puts up some points (50+ and 15-16 min a night of solid play), then they've done very well. At worst, the Caps have probably stolen a few points in the standings here.
Shrewd move IMO. I think he knows this is his last real chance in the NHL. He'll seize the opportunity and earn another contract. Just a hunch.
Wolski has all the tools to be a decent scoring winger, but he's lazy and soft. I don't think he got a full opportunity in NY either. Torts is a tough coach. Oates might overlook the occasional night off if Wolski can bring some creativity and scoring to the lineup.
