Okay, everyone take a deeeeeeep breath.
Now let it out.
Good!
I'll admit, I had to be pulled in from the ledge when I saw to which team Zubrus was traded. I'll be honest, I was sad to see him go for a 23-year-old and a draft pick. I'll level with you, I'm wishing he could stay here and keep feeding Ovechkin steak.
All I needed was a good dose of crazy to bring me down to earth, though. And by crazy, I mean some of the commenters on Tarik's blog post about the trade. People threatening to cancel season tickets, people calling for GMGM to be fired...yikes. Ah, nothing like the warm embrace of my fellow Caps fans to give me some much needed perspective.
I know, I know - Buffalo. We hate Buffalo. And that's fine, because they hate us too.
But anyone who has been following the minimal information coming out of the GM's office regarding a contract extension for Zubrus knows that the two sides never seemed to come together. What's more, the problem wasn't money - it was time. Money is, oddly enough, an easier point on which to compromise. You say $2 million, I say $1.5 million...details that usually can be worked out. GMGM and the Caps clearly see this organization on a strict schedule, though, and signing Zubie to anything more than the three years that was apparently on the table must not have fit into the plan.
What's interesting is the reaction to what we got in return. Since Zubrus wasn't going to sign here, the best option for the Caps was to at least get something back. People are turning up their noses at Novotny and a draft pick - people, it's more than St. Louis got for Guerin. It's equivalent to what Florida got for Roberts. In fact, has anyone seen a trade today that involved two high-level players switching places? No, and you won't either.
The playoff race is too tight and too many teams are either buyers, looking to get a quick fix for the postseason, or sellers, looking to stockpile picks and prospects. If you thought we were going to get someone like Drury back in return, you're even crazier than I am. Novotny is young and could easily fill in on the second or third line, which if we're honest is probably where Zubie belonged to begin with. Backstrom hopefully arrives next year, and it sounds like he'll be ready to take the other spot. As for the first line, well...speaking of Drury...how good would he look in a Caps sweater?
Just food for thought.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Big Picture, People
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5 comments:
Honestly, it worries me a little that the money wasn't an issue, since they had reportedly agreed on a figure somewhere around $3mil a year. Way too much for a glorified third-liner.
Is it wrong that I was near tears when I heard Zubie is gone?
I mean, come on, I just got an official jersey with Zubie's name and he goes and leaves on me? Like hell I'd ever wear the Buffaslug logo.
I don't know what exactly is going through GMGM minds but it doesn't appear like these will be good trades. I'm just worried about our team. Hewy, too. I'll miss him.
THE FREAKING BUFFASLUGS?!?! I would have rather seen him with the Penguins, for goodness sake. At least I respect one or two guys on their team.
Nice analysis, as always, Caps Chick. I, too, am perplexed at the vitriol about the trades.
Look, people. We've opened up some salary space (not that we were in danger of going over, but still), and we've got some fairly high-level picks, while giving two good guys a chance at a Cup. I can't argue with anything...except...
It was a little over 3 years ago Bondra was traded to the Sens, and a little under 3 years that Gonch went to Boston (for some picks and Shaone Morrison) (If I'm not mistaken, one of those picks drafted some dude named Ovechkin, but I digress). At the time, it was announced those trades were made so the Caps could rebuild. Dammit, they've been rebuilding for three fraking years; we should be able to show a bitch of alot more than 24-29-10!bdjqx
The Los Angeles Kings acquired defenseman Jamie Heward from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2007.
Biff: Everyone is getting overpaid, all over the league. I'm not surprised that Zubie was getting that kind of number at all, especially given his continued success in what I agree was a role beyond his abilities.
Shelby: I'm with you, I never actually thought GMGM would pull the trigger. Somehow I was hoping for a last minute deal and when I saw he went to Buffalo of all places...ugh. (Honestly, I consider the Pens worse...there are one or two Sabres I respect, and I hate all Penguins equally). And I'll miss Jamie as well - he was, as I've said, my favorite player off the ice and I wish him all the best.
As for the ongoing rebuilding that both Shelby and Victor have pointed out - this is going to take a while, and I think we're in rebuilding mode until we make the playoffs. It's not just a one year thing, and as frustrating as it is to stockpile picks and wait for (and hope for) the picks to develop, in the long run it's going to give us depth at all different ages. I'm sticking with GMGM and the Caps on this one...for just a little longer, anyways.
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