10 Caps Thoughts


Inspired by Elliotte Friedman’s “30 Thoughts”, here’s my set of 10 thoughts on the Washington Capitals.



- 1.) It’s been awfully quiet out of the Caps camp this summer as GM, George McPhee, has yet to offer a contract to any notable UFA. Yet, has it been that bad of an idea? Compromising cap space on Michalek or Martin wouldn’t have been the worst idea, nor would it have been terrible to spend the money on Volchenkov, but with limited cap space(considering all of the RFA’s that the team had to lock up) the Caps felt they were better off waiting it out. Given the depth of their prospect pool and the nearly stagnant UFA market, the Caps will be fine regardless of whether they dip into free agency or not. In my opinion, there is still plenty of time left to land someone who can help, while at the same time, holding off on spending money now will save the team money and space to perhaps add an ever better player via a trade. Lest we forget, given today’s financial landscape, cap space is often as enticing as some players nowadays.


- 2.) What of Tomas Fleischmann? Flash, the final member of the Caps group of RFA’s who has yet to sign, is indeed pushing for arbitration as he doesn’t necessarily feel the team is set to reward him with what he feels is a just salary for what he brings to the ice. That said, arbitration is never a good place for a team and a player to wind up, so it’s encouraging to note that McPhee actually mentioned that talks are on-going. We can only hope that this matter is resolved before July 28th as it is unlikely that Flash will look at the Capitals the same way once he goes through the process.


- 3.) Concerning Flash and the questions surrounding the team’s 2nd and 3rd line centers, it does certainly seem that Marcus Johansson is being favoured to start the year as the team’s 2nd line pivot over Tomas. But, that said, the reality is that both Mathieu Perreault and Johansson are pure centerman whereas Flash simply has the ability to play center, yet does not fit the position as naturally as the two rookies. Considering that, the idea of having Tomas line up on the 3rd line most likely doesn’t appeal to the young Czech forward, but that may be his only option left if he wants to stay in DC. It’s going to be a tough fit and an ever worse fight if he makes to arbitration, so, with cheaper and better suited candidates to play center for the Caps next season, it’s quite possible that Tomas may remain a better candidate to be traded, signed or not.


- 4.) On the rookies: Although I was not able to attend rookie camp, it certainly sounded like it was another encouraging summer on the ice for the prospects. This seasons picks, guys like Kuznetsov and Galiev have had their moments, while Marcus Johansson has been acclimatizing rather quickly after a rough start. Cody Eakin has continued to surprise as well as the WHL power forward keeps impressing Bruce Boudreau. It’s nice to note that this is but a small sample size of the talent that has been on display at the Kettler Ice Complex over the last few weeks. If anything, all of the youthful and talented players that fans got to see should serve as a reminder that, even if their team has been quiet this summer, they keep getting better. The kids are more than alright and it won’t be long before the next batch of Bears make their jump to the Caps.


- 5.) Not much talk about Karl Alzner and John Carlson this summer, but I cannot wait to see these guys in action next season. The Capitals have been waiting for a pairing like this since the days of Scott Stevens and then Kevin Hatcher. These two are going to make this team much better than most people are already giving them credit for. With the need to(most likely) add another D-man to the top 4, if they can indeed manage that, I won’t hesitate to go out on a limb and suggest that Washington may well wind up with the best defensive core they have ever assembled.


- 6.) A rumour that came to fruition recently was that of Chris Bourque officially departing North America for Atlant of the KHL. Although C-Bo was qualified by the Caps, he clearly did not feel that there was enough room for him to crack the team’s roster for this upcoming season. It’s a tough break, but the kid is likely right. He will get more ice-time, and of course more money, in Russia, but I hope it works out for him. It’s not an easy thing to switch from North America to the KHL, so I hope there are a few NHL vets out there who can help him along. The Capitals still retain his NHL rights, but that likely won’t come into play until the day that Bourque decides to come back across the pond. Good luck Chris, Caps fans may not necessarily miss you all that much, but I can guarantee you that the Bears fans will.


- 7.) Hey, Alex Ovechkin is now an advisor to the newly created Unified Dynamo Moscow. It may sound a little odd, but I think it’s great. OV is definitely a big man wherever he goes and has decided to help his out his country and the sport they are trying ever so desperately to grow. I also believe that OV’s hard work to grow the sport in his homeland is also going a long way in helping NHL-KHL relations. There is no way that Ovechkin is not playing for Russia in 2014 and there is no way that the NHL is losing Alexander Ovechkin, so that should settle that. The leagues will work out their differences and almost certainly be a part of the celebrations and competitions in Socchi. Considering this is also tied into the CBA, it only makes sense for both the NHL and the NHLPA to work out their differences well before the expiration of their agreement so that they can move on to International relations and their efforts to grow the sport, not only in North America, but world-wide.


- 8.) Alex Semin this, Alex Semin that. There sure are a lot of people who are inclined to part with the Russian sniper. Granted he is by far the most enticing piece of the Caps puzzle that they could dangle as trade bait, the fact remains that not too many teams part with 40 goal scorers these days. Outside of the forced Dany Heatley trade, you would be hard-pressed to think of too many other notable snipers who have been traded in recent history(especially ones in their prime). It will be tough for the Caps to hang onto him, and his output this season will weigh heavily on his future, but the fact that the market isn’t as lucrative for as it once was and that Alex certainly doesn’t want to play anywhere else(likely choosing to bolt for the KHL over accepting a trade to another club), I find it hard to see them moving him anytime before the trade deadline.


- 9.) The loss of Larry Carriere as the teams pro scout is a tough one, but not one that can’t be overcome. It ends up being a situation where a talent that had been hid in-house gets too big to remain. It didn’t seem likely that greater opportunities were becoming available within the Caps management therefore it only made sense for the veteran of 3+ decades of NHL experience(playing, scouting and managing) jumped at the opportunity to be a difference maker with the franchise he grew up idolizing. He will be missed in Washington, but don’t worry, the on-ice product will remain as strong as it was since the day Mr. Carriere arrived. I must also commend the Caps for not standing in his way and allowing him to pursue the opportunity.


- 10.) Finally, Semyon Varlamov mode a bold choice this summer, given that he will be the incumbent starter with the team this fall, by switching his number from #40 to #1. It’s not much of a stretch as Varly has worn #1 before, yet it is certainly interesting and worth noting what kind of a message that he’s sending to his most stringent competition, Michal Neuvirth. Although it’s not much of a message, I look forward to the competition between the two youngsters this fall between the pipes in Washington. Varly has more NHL experience, but Neuvirth is no slouch and will challenge Semyon every step of the way. Regardless who lands the lead role, the Caps are likely to boast their strongest and most talented goaltending duo ever. Much like the defense, the Caps have never really had this much wealth in nets. Needless to say, camp is going to be a blast this September.










That’s it for now.




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