If George remains at the helm, I see very little moves this summer. He will be the first to tell himself that he has done a great job drafting players and adhering to the 10 year plan he sold to Ted on becoming America's team.
After not canning Bruce last summer nor this winter, maybe he sticks with him. We won a playoff series in 5 games. That right there is progress. Ted.
The more I think about it, the more I'd only want to bring back Gordon and Laich of the impending UFAs. Hannan and Arnott were very good buys, but they didn't work out. Out with Schultz and Sloan on defense as well. I wonder if there's any chance at Ehrhoff? If not, Markov might be worth taking a short-term risk on.
I think an all-situations guys is needed to pair with Green (assuming he's retained) who can also provide a left-handed shot from the point on the PP.
TarikElBashir: GM on Poti's injury: "We haven't had one doctor say he needed surgery. Sent him to a lot of specialists. I think his career is on the line."
The more I think about it, the more I'd only want to bring back Gordon and Laich of the impending UFAs. Hannan and Arnott were very good buys, but they didn't work out. Out with Schultz and Sloan on defense as well. I wonder if there's any chance at Ehrhoff? If not, Markov might be worth taking a short-term risk on.
I think an all-situations guys is needed to pair with Green (assuming he's retained) who can also provide a left-handed shot from the point on the PP.
Agree with you on bringing both Gordon and Laich back, but I'd have to include Scott Hannan in that mix as well. What did he miss like two games for the Caps once he was acquired and I think those were maintenance games at the end of the regular season. The guy just plays a lot of games every season and with the Caps recent injury problems along the blue line, that makes Hannan even more valuable. Add to this the possibility Poti does not come back. Hannan and Alzner were our most "responsible" defenseman this season.
Love Matt Bradley, but it's time for him to step aside and allow the likes of Andrew Gordon, Jeff Beagle and Cody Eakin compete for his UFA spot on the 4th line.
Line 1 of Ovie-Backstrom-Knuble stays in tact
Line 2, resign Brooks Laich, but as talented as Alex Semin can be, I don't think I'd lose any sleep if the was traded, though I imagine that he's Kuzenetsov's place holder until he arrives perhaps in a year. Like Arnott, but he would have to take a major discount for this team to keep him.
Line 3, though MAJO didn't look great during the TB series overall this season his play just seemed to get better. Very promising #2 Center in the making. Still don't know why Eric Fehr has always been in BB's dog house. Fehr has demonstrated the ability to score big goals and I believe he'd flourish under a different coach. Say good bye to Marco Sturm, this year's version of Joe Corvo. Jason Chimera is not worth his current salary, his game is his speed mixed with some sandpaper, I don't mind him on the team but he's more suited for the 4th line imho, however if the Caps moved him in the off season again wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
Line 4, thanks for the memories Matt Bradley. Hendricks is economical and energy so I still like GMGM having resigned him. Would like to see the Caps resign Boyd Gordon for the same salary, he get's it done in the dot.
Trade Schultz, yesterday! Resign Hannan. If Poti doesn't return we would then have 6 D-men (Hannan/Green/Alzner/Carlson/Wideman/Erskine), we'll definitely be in the market for another experienced d-man. Get rid of TFS, unless I'm missing someone, don't see any d-men at Hershey that will be able to make the jump to the Caps next season.
Think Irbe has done a good job with the goalies, so he's the one coach I'd retain.
Regarding the goalies, at some point I see our goalies being Holtby and Neuvirth. Varly hasn't played himself out of this situation, he just hasn't played himself into it.
I'm not convinced by Neuvirth in the least. He and Varly have very similar playoff numbers (Varly with slightly better SV% and GAA), and Varly played with a sieve of a defense in front of him.
I heard that Arnott hurt his MCL (that's why he was out for a few games earlier). Could that have hindered his speed/play as of late or was that way passed?
Nicklas Backstrom did miss regular season games due to a fractured thumb. But according to both McPhee and Boudreau, the center was healthy in the playoffs. Backstrom had two assists in nine playoff games.
What should the Capitals do with their goaltending next year?
Possibilities:
(1) Trade one of Varlamov/Holtby/Neuvirth (but if so, who?)
(2) Sign Bryzgalov or Vokoun and have one of Varlamov/Holtby/Neuvirth be the backup?
(3) Sign a veteran to backup one of Varlamov/Holtby/Neuvirth with the other two traded or sent down to Hershey?
(4) Status quo..... go with two of Varlamov/Holtby/Neuvirth with the odd man out playing with Hershey (if so.... who should be the starter, who should be the backup, and who should be sent down?)
I love Semin but you have to do what you have to do. Semin has signed three one-year contracts in a row and Suter is a UFA next year too. So, I think it's possible. Do you mean this as a set-off for a Green trade which I'm really not sure about too, for a forward. Or just this?
EDIT: Oh, with Schultz I'd think that they'd really think about it.
If there's going to be trading of 1 or 2 core players, it'd be Green and Semin probably. But there's only so many limited possibilities for a trade.
L.A.: Semin for JJ Base (Contracts might be a problem)
Nashville: Semin for Suter Base (No way Weber, Suter's a UFA after next year too, like Semin)
Minnesota: Semin for Burns (Wild are going to be looking to trade him for a top-6 forward to bolster offense)
Anaheim: Green for Ryan Base (Not sure)
Colombus: Green for Nash (Crazy but they might be willing to trade him, they're retooling and the GM isn't happy there)
Devils: Green for Parise (Hmm, they do need defense, Parise's great)
Just my thoughts, but those are most likely the only teams that deals could be pulled off with in my opinion if Semin and Green are in play.
I seriously doubt it. Semin is only 1 year from UFA. If he were locked in for longer term at a lower cap hit, perhaps, but I don't see it happening. Plus, I don't exactly see him flourishing under Trotz. I'd imagine they'd be more interested in someone like MoJo before Semin.
I seriously doubt it. Semin is only 1 year from UFA. If he were locked in for longer term at a lower cap hit, perhaps, but I don't see it happening. Plus, I don't exactly see him flourishing under Trotz. I'd imagine they'd be more interested in someone like MoJo before Semin.
Suter and Tootoo are both a year from UFA as well.
Suter and Tootoo are both a year from UFA as well.
Ah. Wasn't sure on Suter's situation. Even still, the other points remain. Unless Suter asks for the sun, moon, and stars, it would be cheaper to keep him in the fold if they wanted to.
Perhaps it could be a deadline deal depending on how contract negotiations go for Semin and Suter during the course of the year.
