Caps '10-'11 Thread [Offseason Discussion]

[Homercles82]

Sharks lose tonight - they start trading - we get some grinding forward perhaps?

Sorry, this idea was shot down!

[Sticksboi05]

Damn....ugh...I still am crossing fingers for a Semin deal this summer.

[Sticksboi05]

So McPhee cannot honestly go through this summer without making a move can he? I mean honestly?

[BRAVEONTHEWARPATH93]

I don't see how he can

After 3 years of disappointment, the fans are gonna want change somewhere

[Sticksboi05]

Pretty sad that we can't even get a good offseason discussion going for a team that has finished 1st in the East 2 years in a row.

[BRAVEONTHEWARPATH93]

Fans are hurting Sticks

It hurts to be in this thread

I believe I invested my all into this team and I feel cheated

That's just my opinion

[skinfan2k]

what is there to talk about? the offseason hasnt started yet neither has free agency. The caps if there were gonna make some changes at GM or coach would have done it

[Sticksboi05]

Fans are hurting Sticks

It hurts to be in this thread

I believe I invested my all into this team and I feel cheated

That's just my opinion

We lost. It sucked but a Cup takes time. We've already noted how long it took Yzerman and Lemieux to win. Took Bourque 20 years and a team switch. The Canucks, even led by Pavel Bure haven't won yet and they've been in the league 4 years longer than us.

---------- Post added May-15th-2011 at 05:52 PM ----------

what is there to talk about? the offseason hasnt started yet neither has free agency. The caps if there were gonna make some changes at GM or coach would have done it

Possible scenarios involving free agency. The NHL Draft coming up in June. Who we need to keep and let go; break down the numbers. There's plenty of stuff to discuss.

[BRAVEONTHEWARPATH93]

Your right

I think once the season is over officially, more people will be back

[Springfield]

I wouldn't mind some offseason discussion but I don't know where to start.

First of, we all know my feelings on Boudreau. I think he should remain here as coach. If he is fired, I won't cry. I think that he is a good coach and I think he does have the ability to win a Stanley Cup. I don't know that keeping him here is a good move, nor do I know that it would be a bad move. I think that firing Boudreau would be a riskier move than many people here realize. I don't want to change coaches just for the sake of changing coaches. You should only replace Boudreau if you are 100% certain that the guy who replaces him will make this team perform better.

Now, as far as player personnel...

Ovechkin obviously stays. He is one of the world's most gifted players. That's a no brainer right there. Despite all of his on ice accolades and the amount of heart that he shows, I don't think he's a great team captain. You can't strip him of that though, that could be an even more foolish move than Boudreau. Ovechkin stays as captain, hopefully shapes up for the start of next season and becomes a better leader in the locker room.

Semin. I really like him as a player but I wouldn't be too butthurt if we got rid of him. We'd need to get someone capable to take his place, something like a great 2nd line center. It should all depend on what the price we pay and what's offered, but Semin should be considered moveable. He's one of the most talented guys on the team but he disappears at times (and no, the playoffs was not one of those times).

Backstrom is a keeper. I don't get why Backstrom isn't on the trade block, he had an entirely awful postseason. Backstrom vanished completely. He's still a keeper though, he's a bonafide first line center and he is a great puck carrier. When he's on his game he makes all of the players around him better.

Green could go either way. I think that Green flourished under Boudreau's run and gun system. He had a mediocre year but he definitely made improvements on both sides of the puck. His concussion hurt him and I'm sure it was probably still a hindrance during the playoffs. Wideman could easily take Green's place if we could get something of value for him.

Role players like Knuble, Chimera, Arnott, Liach, etc are expendable. I like them all but they can be replaced. Arnott probably won't be here for the money we were paying him, it's just too much. Chimera is a good energy guy and can be a great forechecker but he can't shoot for ****, he's fast that's all. I wouldn't miss Knuble one bit. Knuble is a rugged veteran but I'd love to see somebody on the first line who can bring it harder than him. We need somebody who can do more than sit in front of the net playing with Ovechkin and Backstrom. I really, really like Liach. I think we need to keep him around here and I think the city loves him.

Other players who's roles I'd like to see expanded. Johanssen, Hendrix and Gordon. Johanssen stepped up big time and responded very well. I think he can be a great asset to this team. Hendrix can do more than just fight, he can provide a ton of energy and score goals. Gordon turned into our face off specialist and I think there is spot for a guy like that on our team. Both of these guys need to stay.

On to the defense...

Obviously Carlson and Alzner need to stay put here in DC. Those two should mature over time and become a top defensive pairing in the league. I think that much is obvious. I already stated my thoughts on Green above. Schultz doesn't fit in here, I'd love to see him gone. Schultz is more of a technical defenseman who lacks the speed of a puck moving defenseman and the physicality of a hard hitting defenseman. Add in Schultz's lapses in judgement that result in goals and he's not in my favor. I liked Wideman from what I saw of him and like I said above, I think he could take Green's spot should we get a good offer for Green. I'd like to keep Hanna here but I don't see that happening, I think he'll cost more than we'd be willing to pay. Erskine should stay, he's one of the few players on our team that isn't afraid to hit as hard as he can.

A couple of closing thoughts. I'm concerned about our center positions. If we don't keep Arnott, well have Backstrom, Johanssen and Gordon (+1) playing center for us. None of those guys hit very hard. Our center position is very weak as much as I like the skill set offered. I think the physicality of the entire team needs to come up and getting rid of Green and Semin for two or three grinders won't really change that very much. We'd also take a hit in the goal scoring department (as if it weren't already lacking) to pick up some hard hitters. Please no more Ovechkin playing the PP point, it doesn't work.

I'm interested to see what moves happen this summer. I hope the changes aren't too drastic because we are so close to being a Cup champion.

---------- Post added May-15th-2011 at 06:27 PM ----------

Everyone waiting for Kuznetsov (sp?) to come on over shouldn't hold their breath. From what I've seen, he's a more fragile version of Semin.

[heyholetsgogrant]

I don't see how he can

After 3 years of disappointment, the fans are gonna want change somewhere

Maybe the consecutive sellouts will end? Could that be a message?

[endzone_dave]

Pretty sad that we can't even get a good offseason discussion going for a team that has finished 1st in the East 2 years in a row.

Not sad considering this team proved once again that it isn't built to do well in the playoffs. The Caps went the wrong direction with soft, finese players and it may be a long time until they can do anything past April.

[HEavyJumbo85]

Everyone waiting for Kuznetsov (sp?) to come on over shouldn't hold their breath. From what I've seen, he's a more fragile version of Semin.

He doesn't really compare to Semin at all, except for the fact that he's Russian and highly skilled. There's nothing really similar about their games, career trajectories, or production to this point. Pre North American production through his 19 year old season says Malkin, not Semin.

Kuznetsov has that recurring shoulder problem, not even close to the level of Eric Fehr's issue btw, but he hasn't really missed games because of it. Semin is averaging about 65 games per year, so he would have to be Tim Connolly to be more fragile than Semin.

The biggest difference is the swag. Kuznetsov wants the puck when you need a goal; the team needs more guys with that mentality. Far too many passengers in crunch time.

[Hersh]

Not sad considering this team proved once again that it isn't built to do well in the playoffs. The Caps went the wrong direction with soft, finese players and it may be a long time until they can do anything past April.

Why would it be a long time until they can do anything past April? This team is at it's core still very young and the Cap situation leaves a lot of flexibility over the next several years.

---------- Post added May-16th-2011 at 02:37 PM ----------

Picked this up from ESPN from last Friday. Not sure if someone had posted it yet but it mentions one of our draft picks from last year. http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/blog?name=nhl_draft&id=6541545

Tomas Jurco: "All the skating and skill and size are there but it doesn't really come together for him. Right now it comes down to getting a read on his makeup. He's an unfinished player and it's up to him to get his game finished -- that's all. If somehow you had Phillips's head on Jurco's shoulders you'd have a top-10, maybe a top-five kid. If his character isn't there then he's one of a hundred kids who have tons of talent and don't make it. Right now he's in the same place as Galiev [Washington Capitals 2010 third-rounder Stanislav Galiev, also of Saint John]. Galiev is in his third year in North America and his second in the Q and he figured it out this year and took off. Jurco's numbers are good but he doesn't have shift-in, shift-out consistency. Maybe it comes. It's all about wanting it and not losing his confidence."

[endzone_dave]

Why would it be a long time until they can do anything past April? This team is at it's core still very young and the Cap situation leaves a lot of flexibility over the next several years.

---------- Post added May-16th-2011 at 02:37 PM ----------

Picked this up from ESPN from last Friday. Not sure if someone had posted it yet but it mentions one of our draft picks from last year. http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/blog?name=nhl_draft&id=6541545

Why do you think this young core of playoff chokers is going to get better in the playoffs as they get older?

[Sticksboi05]

Why do you think this young core of playoff chokers is going to get better in the playoffs as they get older?

Because the Stanley Cup Playoffs takes experience to win.

[HEavyJumbo85]

If you're interested in seeing prospects, watch the Mem Cup on NHL Network that's coming around here pretty soon.

Our guys playing:

Stan Galiev (C/W)- playing for the QMJHL champion St. John Sea Dogs

Cody Eakin (C/W)- playing for the WHL champion Kootenay Ice

Brett Flemming (D)- playing for the Host team Mississauga St. Mikes

Eakin's the main guy to watch; he'll compete for a spot out of training camp next year.

[Hersh]

Why do you think this young core of playoff chokers is going to get better in the playoffs as they get older?

Have sports fan become so cynical that a 23 year old professional athlete is that quickly considered a choker when he may still play another 15 years? I think it's as crazy as the dumb*** journalists that were calling Matt Weiters one of the biggest busts of all time before this season. These young players have to be given some time to develop.

[Sticksboi05]

Have sports fan become so cynical that a 23 year old professional athlete is that quickly considered a choker when he may still play another 15 years? I think it's as crazy as the dumb*** journalists that were calling Matt Weiters one of the biggest busts of all time before this season. These young players have to be given some time to develop.

Thank you. As angry as I am at our sweep and I still believe a big roster move is needed (cough trade Semin), this team is young. Cups take experience.

[Hersh]

I think this off-season will be very telling as far as what style of hockey this team is going to commit to. That's the main reason I don't mind BB staying another season. A mid-year transition to a defensive style is tough. If the Caps are really committed to shutting teams down with this new style of play, it's time to add the talent to help get that done. Does anyone have a good website that shows the list of free agents for this year?

[HEavyJumbo85]

Does anyone have a good website that shows the list of free agents for this year?

http://capgeek.com/free_agents.php

[Hersh]

http://capgeek.com/free_agents.php

So defensively, who do you guys target in free agency? Is Mike Green apart of the team next year?

[capcrunch98]

Thank you. As angry as I am at our sweep and I still believe a big roster move is needed (cough trade Semin), this team is young. Cups take experience.

The need for "experience" shouldn't mandate a lifetime rebuilding project. It's been 8 years since the Caps blew up the team and started over, and after the past two postseasons it still seems like they have a long way to go. The Penguins and Blackhawks each started their rebuilds at roughly the same time as the Caps, and they already have Cups. Just 2 seasons ago Tampa was the second worst team in the league, and 4 seasons ago Philly was the worst, and they've already each advanced farther in the playoffs than the current Caps team.

I agree with you that the Caps have a lot of good young players, and I certainly don't advocate trading away everyone not named AO. I also am not a fan who says "Cup or bust" every season. All is ask for is the team to show consistent improvement each year in the postseason, and that hasn't happened. I know that flukes and bad luck is commonplace in the NHL playoffs, but the way the Caps have been embarrassed the past two postseasons (coupled with the heartless performance they put in during the gut-check Game 7 vs. Pittsburgh) makes me a little skeptical that all this team currently lacks is good luck and "experience".

[Sticksboi05]

The need for "experience" shouldn't mandate a lifetime rebuilding project. It's been 8 years since the Caps blew up the team and started over, and after the past two postseasons it still seems like they have a long way to go. The Penguins and Blackhawks each started their rebuilds at roughly the same time as the Caps, and they already have Cups. Just 2 seasons ago Tampa was the second worst team in the league, and 4 seasons ago Philly was the worst, and they've already each advanced farther in the playoffs than the current Caps team.

I agree with you that the Caps have a lot of good young players, and I certainly don't advocate trading away everyone not named AO. I also am not a fan who says "Cup or bust" every season. All is ask for is the team to show consistent improvement each year in the postseason, and that hasn't happened. I know that flukes and bad luck is commonplace in the NHL playoffs, but the way the Caps have been embarrassed the past two postseasons (coupled with the heartless performance they put in during the gut-check Game 7 vs. Pittsburgh) makes me a little skeptical that all this team currently lacks is good luck and "experience".

There's a missing mental toughness also. Part of that is the team's makeup, part of that is coaching, part of that is experience. You see how the Sharks have finally realized what it takes to make a deep playoff run. They've gone through what we're going through. They learned through hard knocks and choking and after all those experiences, you understand what it takes.

[HEavyJumbo85]

So defensively, who do you guys target in free agency? Is Mike Green apart of the team next year?

Max Talbot is my main bottom 6 target. I'd swap him for Chimera 10 times out of 10 for the price, although that probably might not go well in the dressing room. I'd bring in Talbot regardless because Bradley's likely gone, he's a guy who's scoring goes up in playoffs, he can play center or wing, and he's won a Cup. Markov would be a good fit, but not for the money. Scottie Upshall would be another guy to upgrade the bottom 6 who can play the right side. He's a flat out annoying player who would make them tougher to play against.

Defensively speaking, it's going to be tough sledding. They don't have a ton of money to spend back there right now. Markov is the best fit, but he's coming off of injuries and is going to make too much. Maybe they take a run at Bieksa? I don't know. I really don't think Hannan will be back so, but I don't think there's a lot out there to be had. People are going to bring up Jovo Cop, but he's been a shell of himself since leaving Vancouver. Solid vet, but would need a severe discount to consider him.

EDIT: Green will stay. Too dynamic to get equal value. Semin should go, even if it's for futures and salary cap room. I am of the mind that the core group needs to be shaken up, and he's a luxury item.

---------- Post added May-16th-2011 at 12:45 PM ----------

There's a missing mental toughness also. Part of that is the team's makeup, part of that is coaching, part of that is experience. You see how the Sharks have finally realized what it takes to make a deep playoff run. They've gone through what we're going through. They learned through hard knocks and choking and after all those experiences, you understand what it takes.

I don't see how Washington compares to San Jose, but people keep doing it. Since 2004, San Jose has 3 Conference Finals appearances, and has only lost in the 1st round once. I keep saying that Sharks fans should be offended by being compared to the Washington Capitals. These last two post seasons were literally historic choke jobs.