Per the Caps' website, the Caps have signed Jay Beagle to a two-year entry level contract.
Financial terms were, as usual, not disclosed but it's probably safe to say he'll earn around the league minimum. Beagle has emerged as one of the top scorers for the Bears, picking up 32 points (18G, 14A) in 54 games played this year - for more scouting info you can check out Talk Hockey to Me, a Bears-centric blog with plenty of dirt on (and plenty of gameday pics of) Beagle.
And the Caps reassigned Sami Lepisto to Hershey today - again - in preparation for John Erskine's impending return after missing six games with an upper body injury. It's a good news/bad news type of thing, really. The good news, Sami gets to go back to the Bears and get more playing time, something that is obviously much better for young players than press box time...but Erskine is back.
Question: does Erskine have compromising pictures of Boudreau? Sure, he's played slightly better of late but slightly better than painfully bad is still painfully bad. I just don't see his positives as compared to someone like Steve Eminger, who is likely on his way back to the press box.
Puzzle.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Chocolate Update
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
New Troops in Town
So the deadline has passed, the dust is slowly settling, and it's time to take stock of what we've got, what we lost, and where we're going.
Let's start with the first deal of the day for the Caps. GMGM snatches up Cristobal Huet from Montreal for a second round pick in 2009, the pick received in exchange for Brian Sutherby. Talk about maximizing your assets - in Huet the Caps get a 32-year-old goalie who is a proven starter, a goalie capable of stealing games for his team despite his recent slump, a goalie familiar with our coach and his systems, and someone who down the road could carry the work between the pipes while we wait for our baby goalies to develop.
Drawbacks? He doesn't bring a lot of playoff experience, with just six games under his belt (although his 2.33 GAA and .929 save % are pretty numbers for that stretch). He has the tendency to be a bit inconsistent and even admitted himself that he didn't work hard enough to keep his spot in the Habs lineup. Still, it's hard to be too upset with a guy who comes to us for little more than a pick. Now the question becomes, with the deadline come and gone, what happens in net? We have three goaltenders...only two can stay. You do the math.
Moving on to the second "holy hell, where did that come from" trade - Sergei Fedorov, acquired from the Blue Jackets in exchange for prospect and 2007 draftee Ted Ruth. This is another one of those potentially low risk, high reward moves for the Caps, and Fedorov brings a few things to the table that could be key.
He provides another veteran Russian presence for our two young Russians, which is going to be key down the stretch. He's also got experience (as we all remember) with winning a Stanley Cup, and he fills Nylander's center spot - something that the Caps have needed since losing Michael for the season. As for downsides, again, low risk, potentially high reward here; if he doesn't work out we have him for about a month and then set him free, and if he does, we might see ourselves doing more in April than we have in many years.
And the final piece in the puzzle, Matt Cooke coming to DC from Vancouver in return for Matt Pettinger. We've talked about Pettinger around here already and it really looked like his days were numbered; he just wasn't getting it done for the Caps anymore and you have to like that he'll get a second chance to prove himself on a team he grew up rooting for. In Cooke the Caps add some grit to the third or fourth line, a similar player to Pettinger but more of an agitator. It's something that has been lacking a bit in the lineup and all in all it looks like another good deal.
Oh, and welcome back to Alexandre Giroux, who returns to the Caps in exchange for Joe Motzko. I think I speak for all of us when I say...woo.
So the dust slowly settles and it looks like we can throw that whole "standing pat" thing out the window for sure. But this was a good day for GMGM and the Caps. Some key moves shoring up some key positions while not giving away the farm, and a definite message that this team is serious about making the playoffs.
A few things of note - the Caps, as I mentioned, did not move Olie or Johnson, so there is a bit of an issue in net and we'll have to see how that plays out. Also, Steve Eminger remains a Cap even after saying he hoped something would happen...and the mystery of Eminger's lost season continues. More on that later. And no solid defensemen were added, although it didn't really look like the pool was that great to begin with so you can't really blame McPhee for that.
Twenty games left (including one tonight, don't forget) and the Caps sit five points out of the playoffs with a couple of fresh faces in for the stretch run. Hard not to get excited, isn't it?
Welcome to Washington
...so much for a nice, quiet trade deadline day here in DC, right?
Welcome your new Washington Capitals: Cristobal Huet and Sergei Fedorov.
Raise your hand if you saw either one of those coming.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Deadline Day Approaches
With rumors flying and a good chunk of the Southeast Division potentially on the move, these next 18 hours could prove eventful...or they could fall far short of expectations. My guess is it'll be somewhere in between.
Here in DC the rumor mill is pretty quiet; we've already heard it straight from GMGM that the Caps, barring a fantastic bargain that will help the team, are standing pat with the team we've got. And given the crop of players available I have to say at the risk of repeating myself that it's a great idea.
So who is out there? In the past few hours we've found out that Mats Sundin and Alex Tanguay will not be on the move but Brian Campbell and Marian Hossa almost certainly will. Peter Forsberg has returned for another run with the Avs, while Brad Richards is on the "maybe" list - along with any number of players heading into their unrestricted summer.
A few of the notables :
Marian Hossa - This slippery winger (read: puck hog) seems to want to have nothing to do with the Thrashers and contract negotiations have ground to a halt, so ol' Hoss is definitely hitting the road. He's similar to a Yashin or a Semin in that he needs strong linemates to open up space and allow him to play. With 30 points in 22 games against the Caps over the last three years, I don't think anyone will miss him around here. Rumored destinations: Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit
Brian Campbell - If you caught the Sabres/Flyers game this evening you may have had the chance to catch Campbell's last game in a Buffalo uniform. The All-Star defenseman's camp is reportedly "unhappy" with the latest deal coming from the Slugs and it looks like he's out of there, although nothing is certain. Want him? Sure, he's a high-scoring guy with a knack for the power play, but he's also a defensive liability - which, for a defenseman, isn't exactly what you want. Sayonara, Soupy. Rumored destinations: Unknown
Brad Richards - Of the "big three" in Tampa, Richards lifts out with the least worry and the most benefit to the team in the long run. On pace for just under 70 points, he's never really regained his form that he displayed during the Cup run - and especially not the form displayed in, surprise, his contract season. At almost $8 million a year and with three years left on his contract, he's an expensive risk to take; even more expensive because the Bolts will probably require a huge return of prospects and cheaper players in return. Rumored destinations: Columbus, Vancouver, Dallas, Chicago
Vaclav Prospal - It's no secret that "the other Vinny" has been in the middle of some tension recently with head coach John Tortorella...of course, who hasn't? The bigger reason Prospal could be on the move, though, is that pesky UFA status this July; Tampa is probably on the cusp of a rebuild right now and they're just not going to pay him the big bucks to stick around. On pace for 70+ points, he'll be a good rental for a playoff bound team looking for a little flash on the wing and some veteran presence. Rumored destinations: Unknown
Update: Just as this is about to be posted...we find out that Prospal has been traded to Philly.
Dwayne Roloson - With the rebirth of Mathieu Garon out in Edmonton, Roli finds himself the odd man out and is reportedly requesting to be moved. Obviously goaltending is at a premium this time of year, but at 38 years old and with 8 wins in 30 games Roloson is no longer "premium" quality. Might be a good pickup for a team looking for a semi-solid backup guy in net...and will probably garner little more than a bag of pucks in return. Just what an ailing Oilers team needs. Rumored destinations: Tampa Bay
Michael Ryder - Ryder took on the characteristics of fan scapegoat this year after starting the season slow. Think molasses on skates slow. But recently things have picked up for Michael, pride of Newfoundland and once the hot young thing in Habsland, so it's up in the air as to whether he gets moved or not. He'll be a UFA this summer, though, and the Habs are lousy with young talent. A move to the Southeast isn't out of the question... Rumored destinations: Atlanta, Edmonton, Tampa Bay
Patrick Marleau - Marleau hasn't known any other team besides San Jose, but that could all change tomorrow. He's the captain of the Sharks and is definitely well-liked, but a pending UFA status and a disappointing season - he's a -21, a mark better than only 4 players in the entire league - provide the perfect ingredients for a rental player move. Rumored destinations - Atlanta, Florida
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Trading Away the Farm
We are now less than a week away from the trade deadline and as always there are suspiciously calm waters around the league, with minimal movement save for one "blockbuster" deal between the Canes and Sens and a few players for picks deals.
And it's a funny time of year for Caps fans. There is a level of excitement here in DC that hasn't been seen in years, a sense that for the first time in a long time the Caps won't automatically see their name on the "sellers" list. In fact, straight from GMGM's mouth: "we're not going to be sellers". Not only crystal clear but a welcome change to years of fire sales and shipping away of beloved veterans.
However...before you start licking your lips and looking at the names being bandied about as trade fodder, remember one thing. Not being a seller does not mean being a buyer, and in this case it's probably best that they're not.
Being so tantalizingly close to a coveted berth in the postseason for the first time in years can do funny things to your head as a fan. For one thing, you go into games without that sense of dread that once plagued you; a season of ups and downs has convinced you that this team can in fact go into any game with the chance to win. And winning...makes you want to win more.
Because of that, there will be a group of fans who will absolutely rail on GMGM if the Caps do nothing in the next week, a knee-jerk reaction that is most likely not the right one. We have a tendency here to make the leap from believing we're a potential postseason contender to believing that, with a few select moves, this team can win it all. It's part of the attitude prevalent not only in a city that is attracted to winners but also in a set of loyal fans who have had their hearts broken too many times.
But patience is going to be key here. Yes, McPhee could go out and pick up some rent-a-player, trade away our young hotshots and picks en route to a playoff berth and a likely first round exit. Then what? All of a sudden you've given up core pieces of a team that, while no longer rebuilding, is still building - always building - for just a taste of playoff glory.
There are a few things to consider:
1) Right now this team is built on a foundation of youth and the knowledge that there is a great pool of talent just waiting to fill in spots in the coming years. It's been said before but it bears repeating - you cannot just sit on one group of guys and not keep your eye constantly on the future. Part of the philosophy behind the rebuild is that the Caps want a team that they draft, polish, and bring up through the ranks to create a sustainable cycle of players.
You need picks. You need hot prospects in Hershey. You need young guys here in DC. It ensures that after this year, after next year, and in all the coming years there will be a consistent flow of talent into this organization. It's how you not only build a consistent playoff competitor but, hopefully, an eventual Stanley Cup winner. Trading away a packaged deal of picks and prospects and maybe even a first or second year Cap for a player likely to depart July 1 undermines that plan and sets the team back in ways we won't even see right away.
2) There is no guarantee that some rental player gives you the final push you need. Think about this fact - of all the teams who will make deadline deals this year, there can only be one who will see results in the form of Lord Stanley's Cup, if any.
Yes, Doug Weight and Mark Recchi helped the Canes in 2006. They were key in helping Carolina win it's first championship for sure. Quick, name another deadline acquisition that pushed a team to the Cup in recent years.
Tkachuk and Zhitnik really helped out Atlanta against the Rangers, didn't they? How did Zubrus do in Buffalo? Ryan Smyth with the Islanders, Bill Guerin with the Sharks, Bertuzzi with the Red Wings - and that's just last year. Unless you already have a contender in place these big flashy deals often turn out to be busts, for one big reason...
3) Chemistry. You bring in players with big names and big salaries and you plop them down in a locker room of guys who, for the most part, have been playing together since September, if not longer. You do this right when the schedule gets the most stressful, when chemistry and seeing the ice and knowing your teammates becomes the most crucial. There's a reason why offseason free agent signings sometimes take a bit of time to produce, and it's because chemistry isn't always instant.
But bringing guys like that in during the offseason buys you time to create it - deadline deals do not. You have to mesh and mesh fast, especially if you're right on the bubble like the Caps are right now.
Frankly there is a lot to like on this team right now. When they lose it's not because of missing parts or lack of talent as much as it is lack of effort, the rare nights or even parts of nights when the Caps don't show us their best work resulting in blown chances and lost points. Looking down the roster there aren't as many holes as people think there are, and there is a nice balance of flashy talent and hard-working grit that has the potential to at least make some noise down the stretch.
Bottom line is this - the Caps will probably be in the fight for a postseason berth for the remaining twenty games of the year. They've made an improbable turnaround and continue to improve over last year, regardless of whether they make the playoffs or not. As fans, as hard as this may be, we have to be patient and know that we may have to wait a little longer but it will happen and it will happen when the time is right - not because of some player who will flit in and out of this organization faster than you can say "choke".
Photos courtesy of AP/Getty Images
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Replenishing, Not Rebuilding
Something needs to be addressed about this Sutherby trade, because this has been bugging me. A lot of people have been questioning the terms of the deal, saying that if the rebuild is over we should have gotten more than just a draft pick that we won't even use until 2009. Monday, November 19, 2007
Sutherby Traded
Well...there you go. I guess that answers two questions - one, how the Caps were going to make roster space for Semin and two, why Sutherby continued to see press box time.
I always liked Sudsy - he was one of those gritty, hard-working players I seem to gravitate to but also seemed like a genuinely good guy off the ice. I'll miss him, but good for Brian...I'm sure he'll see more minutes playing in Anaheim then with a team that has an excess of centers.
Best of luck to Brian with his new team.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Between the Pipes
Okay, so let's talk about this whole Ilya Bryzgalov thing, because a lot of people are claiming we should have picked him up.
I am not one of those people.
Bryzgalov is a very good goalie. I'm not going to argue that fact, nor will I argue with the fact that he's 27 and probably in the prime of his career. To get a goaltender of his caliber without having to give up anything is very rare and it is, for some teams, a golden opportunity.
However...he is not the answer to our problems. He's good but not great - he's not the second coming of Patrick Roy or Marty Brodeur. Anaheim didn't have enough faith in him to carry their playoff hopes last year and when Giguere was out with an injury to start this season, Bryzgalov was not exactly stellar in relief. They have a much better defense out there, too, in case you've forgotten.
I, like the Capitals organization, am not willing to give up on Brent Johnson just yet. I was stunned to see how quickly the battle cry turned to "get rid of Johnson!" after Friday night's loss, so willing are we right now to point the finger at something concrete like a bad goalie that we forget logic and common sense. No, it wasn't his best game. I could tell you that, the commentators could tell you that...Johnny himself would likely tell you that. One bad game, though, and we dump him? Why?
I also think we're playing fast and loose with the definition of a "bad game". He let in some softies, sure, but he also made some great saves, including one sparkling one on Lecavalier that had me rewinding and watching again. And may I remind everyone that Olie had one of the worst games I've ever seen him play earlier this year against the Islanders - where were the cries to go out and get a "real" goalie then?
So what of the argument that we need to get a replacement for Olie now, start polishing up the next shiny new goalie before Zilla hangs 'em up? Frankly I don't see that there's any rush - we have some good goaltending prospects and should none of them be ready to fill the void in two years there are things called trades and there is something called free agency. Ilya Bryzgalov wasn't going to be that guy anyways - try as you might, you can't make me believe that he would hang around as a backup and then re-sign as a UFA when his contract is up.
I get that there is a sense of urgency right now among Caps fans. We're looking at the standings and seeing another long summer ahead. We're looking at the contract extensions by other big name players like Crosby, Thornton and Kipprusoff and we're wondering where they are for our guys. The future seems very uncertain right now. We see a good player become available and we want to pull the trigger, do something, show some sign that this team is interested in winning.
But you don't just go out and grab any old guy off the waiver wire, especially when you're talking about the one position that has been the steadiest all year. Aside from Ovechkin, Johnson and Olie have been the most consistent players of anyone on the team. If you asked McPhee why he passed on Bryzgalov he'd likely tell you that goaltending has not been the problem - and it hasn't been. Our netminders have been great. The rest of the team...well, that may need some work.
There's time.
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Lineup Changes
Big, big, big changes for tonight per Tarik - Jurcina is out, Eminger makes his regular season debut, Bourque gets the call and looks to be on the top line with Ovechkin and Nylander, Backstrom will center Fleischmann (who moves to the left wing) and Kozlov, Sutherby is out and Laich will center the fourth line. Semin and Clark go on the IR and Poti will literally be a game-time decision.
Wow. So here's how it shakes out:
Fleischmann-Backstrom-Kozlov
Pettinger-Steckel-Gordon
Brashear-Laich-Bradley
Johnson in net, defensive pairings TBA.
It will be interesting to see how Nylander works with Ovechkin since this is where we assumed he would be when he was signed this summer. Bourque should generate a little spark and hopefully some offense - it would be nice to celebrate a win and little Bourque's first NHL point/goal, wouldn't it? Backstrom played fairly well at center last week and I'm hoping a stint with a little less pressure will be good for him.
And Sutherby's frustrations continue.
Blackouts Stink
- There were some strange doings around the league last night. On a night when Pascal Leclaire wasn't even playing, there were 5 shutouts among the 8 games - three of those by a final score of 5-0.
- Yahoo! Sports has put out a list of underrated players for each team, and I don't think it's any surprise that Boyd Gordon is the Capitals' representative. Even less of a surprise? The fact that 85% of them are guys I enjoy watching. What can I say, I love the underrated underdog.
- Kolzig and Ovechkin both will appear on this year's All-Star ballot - again, no surprises there, although it's nice to see Olie get on there. People, I beg of you, let's avoid the whole embarrassment we had last year. Vote early, vote often to get them both in there. It may be a meaningless, badly played game but it shows the league that Caps' fans have passion for a change. I know we can do it. Voting opens November 15...
- And finally, Chris Bourque gets the call tonight for his long-awaited NHL debut. Of course, none of us will get to see it (thank you, Versus) but I think this could be a spark for the Caps. Frankly it has to - something has to.
- So Brent Johnson will probably get the nod tonight against Atlanta given his numbers against them and the fact that Olie was chased in last night's game (although you can't really blame him for any of those goals). The Caps on the other hand will be facing Lehtonen's backup's backup, Ondrej Pavelec, who will be appearing in just his fourth NHL game.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Busy Saturday
A couple of interesting developments:
- The Caps signed Alexander Semin to a two-year, $9.2 million contract extension today that will pay him $4.2 million this year and $5 million next season. I know there are some around here that don't particularly like Semin and I'll admit he has a tendency to commit lazy penalties and turnovers...but I love him. This is great news.
- Tom Poti's groin injury hasn't quite healed enough and he'll be out of the lineup - bad news for a defense that struggled last night, but in the long run I'd much prefer that he heal completely. Groin injuries are no joke and as we've seen so many times, the nagging ones can change a player's game completely if not given time to heal. Of course, this means a repeat of the Erskine and Green show...I feel a headache coming on already.
- Continuing on the injury front, as we know Clark won't be in the lineup tonight but may return on Monday for the Leafs. Bigger news is what's happening in his absence - Backstrom gets his first shot at centering the big line, working as a pivot for the first time this season between Ovechkin and Kozlov. Young Nicklas really continues to impress me with how calm and mature he's seemed so far, so I'm excited to see how he looks in his natural position.
- Fleischmann returns to play with Nylander and Semin - Flash showed some improvement after moving from the first to second line, but we'll see how he does with Semin instead of Backstrom. Of the three he's probably going to be responsible for working the boards so...yeah. Expect a lot of meetings between Flash's rear and the ice. Checking line likely stays in tact, with Bradley probably remaining on the fourth line with Steckel and Brash.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
You Spin Me Right Round
Guess I should talk about the Caps at some point...
So Gordon continues to be day-to-day with back spasms and his status for tomorrow is unknown. Schultz was recalled, meaning Erskine will probably head to the press box. Semin was placed on IR retroactive to the 7th, so he's possible but not probable for tomorrow's game against the Islanders. Sutherby remains in green jersey purgatory. Motzko is getting a crack at the right wing slot.
And the wheel o' players continues.
Anyone else miss having a stagnant roster for more than two games?
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Who Gets the Call?
Both Corey and Tarik have mentioned a possible roster move before tonight's game - no, not the big kind, but a call-up from Hershey.
Here's where we stand right now. Gordon appears to still be injured, which last night had resulted in Steckel moving up to the checking line and Sutherby taking his place with Brashear and Laich (although the lines went through considerable numbers of permutations after the first few shifts). Fleischmann has rotated on and off the top line, often being replaced by Clark. Bradley and Laich have both had time on the second line with the Swedes in Semin's continued absence, but it looks like Pettinger will slide into that spot.
So who's in and who's out?
I have to think that Flash may be on his way back to Hershey. Maybe it's common sense, maybe it's just wishful thinking - or maybe it's just a result of watching him get shoved off the puck time and time again while failing to finish off the beautiful passes to or from his linemates. If he goes back to the AHL, that seems to put Clark back on the top line, at least for now. Then we slide Pettinger in on the second line as has been indicated. That leaves the bottom two lines with some combination of Laich, Steckel, Brashear, Sutherby, Bradley and a player to be named.
I'm thinking either Chris Bourque or Kyle Wilson gets the call, although neither is exactly checking line material. Clymer would be an obvious choice for that role except he's been injured since going down to Hershey and may not be game-ready just yet.
There is, of course, another option, and that would be that Flash is sticking around. We turn to the blue line - and among the six defenseman it's hard to say who would go to Hershey. Pothier, Poti, Morrisonn and Jurcina seem like unlikely candidates. Green has been one of the best players to this point and shouldn't be demoted (although they tend not to ask my opinion on these roster moves). Erskine is a possibility, but he's been strong so far as well...disregarding last night, of course. No one was good last night. Maybe Eminger's coming back, who knows.
In other words...I have no idea. Aren't you glad you stopped by?
So discuss - let's get a little dialogue going, hash this one out, see who's lurking in the Cheap Seats on a Saturday two hours before game time!
Update: Thanks to alert commenters Chris & Sarah (and a quick little check over to the usual suspects), it looks like nothing I suggested happened. Shocking. Tonight we get to see Joe Motzko's first regular season game in a Caps jersey after putting on a pretty impressive training camp. So here are your lines:
Backstrom-Nylander-Pettinger
Fleischmann-Laich-Motzko
Brashear-Steckel-Bradley
Second line, I'll be interested to see how Pettinger does but I think actually that could be a good fit - Petty adds some grit up there and has showcased some dangling ability of his own this year. Third line...hmmm. Hard to say. Laich continues to be consistently good but the other two are question marks. (Oh, and Flash on a checking line? This should be interesting.)
Defense stays the same, Johnson in net, and 17 minutes to puck drop. Everyone take a deep breath...here we go.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Clymer Confusion Continued
Ben Clymer apparently cleared re-entry waivers...and is still in Hershey.
I'm inclined to believe that this move had more to do with Semin being on the IR and less to do with a pending trade for someone like Sutherby, although I'm not ruling out the fact that such a trade could be in the works. For now, at least, Clymer remains a Bear and Sutherby remains a Cap and Semin looks poised to make his regular season debut in three hours.
Enjoy the game, everyone, and remember - if you're heading out to Verizon Center tonight WEAR RED.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Clymer Confusion
So the confusing saga of Ben Clymer continues, as Tarik is reporting that he has been recalled and will clear waivers tomorrow at noon. Whether that means he has actually cleared waivers or that if he clears, it will be tomorrow at noon is just one of the questions we have right now.
Is Semin's injury worse than we were made to believe? Is there a trade pending that would free up a roster spot? Is someone else, i.e. Sutherby, injured? Are the Caps hoping that some other team will just take him off their hands, even at a cost of half his salary? Will Susan ever get her memory back after the horrible car crash that left her with amnesia and two dead fiancés? And who is Brett's real father?
Just when you thought you could get comfortable on the couch/bar stool and watch the Caps open the season with no worries in the world, this happens. And no one seems to know anything, so basically I'm merely the messenger, letting you know that...well, no one seems to know anything.
It's a riddle wrapped in a mystery tied with an enigma and covered in red, white and blue. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Opening Night Roster
Per Mike Vogel, here are your 2007-08 Capitals as they stand for opening night:
Goaltenders
Brent Johnson
Olie Kolzig
Defensemen
John Erskine
Mike Green
Milan Jurcina
Shaone Morrisonn
Brian Pothier
Tom Poti
Jeff Schultz
Forwards
Nicklas Backstrom
Matt Bradley
Donald Brashear
Chris Clark
Tomas Fleischmann
Boyd Gordon
Viktor Kozlov
Brooks Laich
Michael Nylander
Alex Ovechkin
Matt Pettinger
Alexander Semin
Dave Steckel
Brian Sutherby
Injured Reserve: Steve Eminger, Eric Fehr
Surprises? Not really any at this point, although Eminger's appearance on the IR can be viewed either as a way to hold onto more bodies until a trade can be made or as a sign that maybe that nagging ankle injury is still bothering him. Sadly I'd put my money on the former and Eminger's days as a Cap look to be numbered...and I still can't believe that Schultz gets the call over him. We'll see what happens in the coming days, I guess.
So the Caps go with 7 defensemen and 14 forwards for opening night, Dave Steckel finally makes the team, and Ben Clymer is a Bear. For now. Strange doings around here...strange but wonderful in the long run. I'm ready, let's go already!
Monday, October 01, 2007
Clymer to Hershey
The Caps continued to make cuts today, as Ben Clymer cleared waivers today and has been assigned to Hershey. Should he be called up he would again be subject to the waiver wire, and any team that picked him up at that point would only be responsible for half his salary.
More later...
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Preseason Ends Strong Despite Loss
It's hard to really count tonight's loss as a loss - in fact it's hard to say that about any of the four games the Caps have dropped. There were very few times in this game where the Caps looked outmatched, outplayed, or even as though they were trailing. There were little issues, obviously, and every time a mistake was made the Senators seemed to capitalize.
But there's no shame in falling 2-1 when you were the better team on the ice for the majority of the game. (I say that now when the games don't matter...check back with me if they drop one like this during the season.) The Caps not only had more shots than the Senators but they had more chances, more flurries and more time in the offensive zone with the puck. If this is what a puck possession team looks like, sign me up.
There were good things and bad things about this game as there always are, but tonight really is about the end of preseason rather than the result of one game. The final meaningless match is in the books and the Caps have finished with a very respectable 3-4-1, a record which doesn't even show the remarkable improvements this team has made heading into the regular season.
- Every game was won or lost by one goal, so even when the Caps lost or gave up a lead they managed to hang in there with teams that many people are picking to finish above them this year. And yes, I'm counting Friday's 7-5 comeback win as a one-goal game - an empty netter with 2 seconds left, as nice as it was, doesn't count in my mind (sorry, Stecks).
- The Caps have cut way down on the number of shots allowed, shaving an average of almost 10 shots per game off their numbers and limiting their opponents to less than 20 shots in four of their last five games.
- Opponents have been limited to 2 goals or less in four of the seven games, including two of the losses. Toss in a healthy bit of firepower from the top two lines when things start clicking and more of those losses should start to turn to wins.
So now some things to think about as we head into a few days off with the roster deadlines looming:
- Dave Steckel, although not as strong in his final game as he has been his last two or three outings, continues to be in the mix. He seems ready to make the transition to the NHL and has proven, if belatedly, that he deserves to be up here in some capacity. If he does stay it will likely mean a trade or a demotion to the AHL for either Laich, Sutherby, Bradley or Clymer.
Say what you will about these guys but I personally love what each of them brings to the team and the way they play. Throw in the fact that each one has had a pretty good camp and this gets downright tricky, so I'm not even going to try to decide who should stay. GMGM will make the best decision for the team, I'm sure.
- Our goaltending tandem has put together some good performances this year, but at times Brent Johnson has seemed to be a little stronger in net. Just something to worry think about...although I'd expect Olie to get back into his old routine any day now. At 37 he just has a little more rust to shake off than he used to. I hope.
- Some of our young prospects are no longer prospects and we're starting to see the development of guys like Mike Green, Tomas Fleischmann, Chris Bourque, Kyle Wilson, and numerous others. Should injuries or illness strip this team down at any point this season I'm feeling much more confident in the ability of depth players and callups to fill the void and carry the team through. And that's really all you can ask for.
- According to Tarik, Jeff Schultz has secured a roster spot and was told by the organization to get a place to live and a car. So not only does that surprise the hell out of me, but it makes things even more interesting going down the stretch for guys like Erskine, Green and Eminger. Yeah, because we needed more excitement...
Check back tomorrow night for news and pictures from the Caps Care Classic golf tournament. And naturally if Ovechkin picks up a golf club I'll try to get video.
...is it Friday yet?
Thursday, September 20, 2007
#27 In Your Programs, #1 In Your Hearts
Those of you who know me (and probably many who don't) know that I'm an unapologetic Clymer fan. Now before you men get out those taunting smiles, those knowing winks, and those cries of "puckbunny!" it is not because of his physical attributes that I devote myself to Ben.It helps, but that's really not why.
I have always been a third and fourth line type of gal - I love those guys who go out and give 110% every night, those guys who may not score the pretty goals or make the pretty plays but rather the guys who play in the trenches night in and night out. The scrappy, feisty underdogs who won't get more than 10 goals a year but who bring you up out of your seat with a big hit or a garbage goal. That's the type of player that Clymer is, and it's the main reason why I root for him so openly even while others mock.
I'm actually pretty amazed at the way Caps fans have turned so quickly on Ben, repeatedly calling for his removal from the team after what was frankly just a forgettable year. Are we so quick to forget that his first season here he formed a third of that oh so popular CBS line? That a shift to defense and a crippling injury hampered his performance last year? This is DC, the land of the eternally underappreciated, and yet we laugh and point and gather our pitchforks to drive someone out who maybe doesn't post the numbers we think he should post.
What are we, Flyers fans? For shame.
Anyways. I've made my peace with the fact that Clymer's days here in DC may be numbered. I understand the rationale behind such a move and I won't argue it, nor will I put up any sort of fuss should #27 find himself on the outside looking in. After seeing the way Laich, Bradley and Sutherby have played together so far I have no doubt that those three will in some way make up our fourth line and there frankly may not be room for someone like Ben on this team any longer.
I just thought someone should let him know that some of us around here still like him and will wish him luck wherever he may end up, whether it's here in DC, San Jose, or even...Pittsburgh.
Okay, maybe not Pittsburgh.
Even I have my standards.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Caps on the Cusp
The other day I talked about the Caps' overflow of what is known as the role-player, the guys who do a lot of little things well but may not get the glory of say, an Ovechkin. In my little fantasy world we would keep all of these guys, and any that are scratched could come and sit with me during games.
Alas, it probably is not to be. Returning to the real world its obvious that somethings gotta give, whether it means shipping someone off to Hershey or shipping them off to another club. OnFrozenBlog recently did a great rundown of the forwards and defensemen in the system as we head into next season, but here's a look at just the guys on the cusp:
Brian Sutherby - His scouting report says that he "will be limited in terms of offensive production at the NHL level", aka checking line forward. Limited is one thing, 7 goals is another. Still, I've always defended Sutherby on the grounds that the organization and his teammates love him and there is more to a player than offensive production. Brian is one of those players the Caps love to develop, the gritty players with loads of heart; having said that, the recent one year deal given to Sutsy and his declining numbers seem to signal that he has one more shot at proving himself.
Verdict: He'll crack the opening night lineup; whether he's here come the trade deadline remains to be seen.
Steve Eminger - Like Sutherby, Eminger is one of those players who has been "developing" for a long time but has yet to really break through. In drafting him 12th overall the Caps put their hopes into Eminger one day becoming a top two defenseman. But injuries and mistakes cost Emmy a lot of playing time last year and there were many nights when he was watching the action from the press box while a youngster took his roster spot. Signs of improvement towards the end of last year and a desire to prove himself could make him a dangerous contender in September. He'll still have to fight it out in training camp and his one-year deal, like Sutherby's, is a sign that he's using the last of his nine lives.
Verdict: Look for him to hold on to his spot come October, but he could be potentially packaged with other prospects/picks for that stay-at-home defenseman everyone seems so high on.
Matt Bradley - Bradley is always good for a funny quote or a nice black eye, and his effort and his willingness to drop the gloves when necessary make him a perfect checking line forward. However, he faces stiff competition for his role-playing slot from current and future Caps and there doesn't seem to be much room for him anymore. 13 points in 57 games just may not be good enough.
Verdict: As sad as I am to say it, I don't see Bradley being with the organization much longer.
Dave Steckel - Having really achieved everything he could at the AHL level, Steckel will be looking to make the jump to the big club this fall. His penalty-killing and leadership skills are not in question, but its his mobility that raises some eyebrows and he'll need to learn how to use his body and his legs more effectively if he wants to stick around in the NHL.
Verdict: He may need a little more time to cook in the AHL but look for him to be a frequent call-up and potentially a mid-season roster addition a la Brooks Laich two years ago.
Brooks Laich - Called up to fill a roster spot in December of '05, Laich took his opportunity and made the most of it, earning a permanent spot with the club through the end of the season then returning to Hershey in time for their Calder Cup run. Last year he admittedly had a slow start and paid for it with a run of healthy scratches and limited ice time. Still, he started to pick up the momentum mid-season and was showing definite improvement. He's versatile in his ability to play center or wing but will probably be relegated to wing with the sudden glut up the middle, and he has developed an edge to his game that makes him a much more attractive third or fourth line candidate.
Verdict: He'll be in the red, white and blue when the season opens and should maintain his position on either of the bottom two lines.
Boyd Gordon - Last year was definitely Gordon's coming out party, as he put together a fantastic season and proved why he made the roster in the first place. His 7 goals were nice, but its the 22 assists and the +10 on a team that routinely was a minus squad that really make him stand out. And if you've never seen him out there killing penalties, you haven't seen it the way its supposed to be done. He made a believer out of a lot of us.
Verdict: Definitely a lock for third line center, and look for his offensive numbers to increase as his confidence and ice time go up.
John Erskine - Erskine is the kind of defenseman that Caps fans love in the sense that he'll drop the gloves at any time or just lay someone out with a monster hit. He started last season as a welcome surprise, turning a lot of heads as he came out of nowhere to establish himself as one of the top defenseman - and helped boost defensive partner Eminger's game, to boot. Still, the shine started to wear off midseason and a series of injuries including a devastating foot fracture really seemed to take him off his game.
Verdict: Will probably make the roster, but may spend many nights as the 7th defenseman in the press box.
Ben Clymer - Its hard to judge Clymer for his rocky season last year - after a failed experiment that saw him back on the blue line, Clymer had to readjust to his forward position and then found himself hampered by an abdominal injury that nagged him all season before finally electing for surgery in the last month. He's got the physical aspect down and, as we all remember from that infamous Atlanta game, isn't afraid to drop the gloves with someone much bigger and nastier than himself. I don't think the Caps are giving up on him just yet and will be looking for him to replicate his numbers from his first year in DC now that he's healthy again.
Verdict: Third or fourth line winger, will be around for opening night.
Tomas Fleischmann - Flash has shown, well, flashes of brilliance at the NHL level but has yet to find his consistency that made him so potent in Hershey. He's got talent but seems hesitant to shoot the puck - something you can get away with in the AHL but in the faster, bigger world of the NHL that just won't fly. He needs to find his game and quickly or he'll be another prospect who just didn't pan out.
Verdict: Could start the season with the Caps if his training camp is spectacular, but may be shuffled back and forth from Hershey or could be packaged with another player for a veteran.
Jakub Klepis - Poor Jake. First no one could pronounce his name, now no one wants to. A lot of people were high on Klepis for a long time but he's really just never shown that he's ready to make the jump. Besides a lack of offensive production he has an annoying tendency to take ill-advised penalties at bad times, putting his team at risk too many times.
Verdict: Back to Hershey with Klepis, with the possibility of a trade somewhere down the line.
Eric Fehr - For a long time Fehr has held the mantel as the Caps' bright new future and showed some signs of this in the few stints he had with the Caps last season. Still, hampered by a nagging back/hip injury and unproven at the NHL level, his time may be running out.
Verdict: Could potentially crack the lineup but needs to have a spectacular camp and start to the season if he wants to make it permanent.
Jeff Schultz - Schultz is one of those defenseman the Caps really need to hang on to. He does the little things correctly and quietly, becoming invisible on the ice in all the right ways. Towards the end of last season he really started to show what he was made of as he gained ice time and confidence in his abilities. If he can learn to use his size and develop a snarl he'll be very scary to play against - and that can only be good for the Caps.
Verdict: May fall victim to the fact that he's not forced to clear waivers and could see another year in Hershey, but there's a spot for him if he earns it in camp.
Mike Green - Its hard to figure Green out sometimes. There are times when he makes an absolutely brilliant defensive play; there are times he makes a completely bone-headed mistake; and there are times when he shows an offensive brilliance that makes you wonder if he's forgotten he's a defenseman. A full season in DC may have been a bit much for him last year, considering he's just 21 years old and defenseman take quite a bit longer than forwards to develop.
Verdict: Probably returning to Hershey for more development and more minutes, but could be a frequent call-up should one of the top 6 d-men go down with injury...or just go away.
Josef Boumedienne - Um...he's Swedish, right?
Verdict: Sorry, Boomer - back to Sweden with you, one-way contract in your hot little hand.
