Theo Must Prove Blunders Are A Thing of the Past
Although I will admit that I was critical of Jose's performance last night and how much it reminded me of his terrible Game 1 breakdown, I still believe that Theo will remain the starter.
It is too early in the season to validate chants of "Three-or-more."
I realize the frustration with Jose and his play, but Caps fans have to realize that it's time to give this tandem a chance.
Let's not forget how shaky Varly has already been at times this season.
Both will get much better as the season progresses, but let's be honest, Theo will be under a magnifying glass each and everytime he falters and Varly's name will be praised.
Semyon needs to grow into his role as a starter, not have it thrust upon him. The same can be said for Neuvrith.
Expect them to both do big things for the Capitals in the future, but for now, some faith has to be given to the former Hart and Vezina winner. Theodore has been through a terrible tragedy this summer and it is going to take more than a few games for the vet to settle his focus, but the reality is that this is going to a more driven netminder than fans have seen in the past.
He will make up for his blunders as time goes on. He has to.
Is It Time For McPhee To Risk Trading Picks To Improve Caps Chances?
In the meantime, Caps fans must realize that Washington must not rely on its goaltending as a sole measure of bailing the team out. That is not how this club has been built.
Keeping that in mind, it’s fair to address the fact that the Capitals could use some more meat on defense.
There is no reason to shop for goaltending or risk losing their veteran netminder in Theodore because they have drafted 2 future possible #1’s who are nearly ready.
What can be done would be a move to acquire some serious help on the blueline.
Mike Green has not been hot out of the gate and as a result Washington’s blueline hasn’t made much of a contribution offensively. Of course, Mike will come around, but the reality is that there needs to be better support in the #2 role and the Capitals absolutely need to bolster the strength of their 4th, 5th and 6th defenseman.
Shaone Morrisonn is not a true #2. Although he has been an excellent compliment to the high flying Green, ShaMo is a quiet defender better suited to a role on a secondary pairing.
Tom Poti and Brian Pothier are trustworthy veterans that provide the Capitals blueline with the leadership and experience they need as well as the occasional outburst of offense.
Milan Jurcina, John Erskin and Tyler Sloan are all interchangeable but nothing more than 5th or 6th defenseman.
Jeff Schultz is a 1st round prospect who has turned into a Capitals project. He has not turned out like his fellow Washington first round pick Mike Green, despite being drafted ahead of him. Despite that, Boudreau likes Schultz and management wants to give him the time to blossom into his potential. It has been a long wait thus far, but given how much the team has invested in him, it is likely that they will continue to give him the time he needs to improve.
With Green, Poti, Pothier and Schultz, the Capitals have a defensive foundation to build on, at least for this season.
That said, if I were GMGM, I would be willing to part with the services of Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrisonn, John Erskine or Tyler Sloan in an effort to land some bonafide help.
Although these players do not necessarily inspire much trade talk or debate about their value, they are serviceable NHL players who could very likely find homes elsewhere.
Will McPhee explore that option?
Very likely given the amount of D-men in the final year of their contract(Pothier, ShaMo, Jurcina, Sloan).
But will anyone bite?
No, not likely…that is unless George decides to get creative and to start spending away future draft picks.
Considering the Capitals current situation and the fact that any trade that would move out at least 2 of the 4 main candidates(ShaMo, Jurcina, Erskine or Sloan) would open up a spot for Karl Alzner and, maybe, a spot for John Carlson, both of which would immediately bolster the Capitals blueline.
If McPhee can find a way to entice a GM into taking any of these 4 players to create room for the 1st round prospects, the Caps will benefit.
If McPhee can somehow move Michael Nylander to any NHL team, he will likely be able to create the room for one or both of those players.
Most of all, if George McPhee can find a suitable trading partner that would be interested in any of the Capitals tradeable assets, or some of their draft picks, and with providing the Caps with the addition of a legitimate #2 D-man behind Mike Green, Washington’s status would be upgraded to super contenders.
A difficult task to accomplish, that is for certain, but if George McPhee intends to bolster the Capitals blueline in order for the team to take a serious run at the Stanley Cup this season, his best bet might be to include some of his draft picks.
It has been a long time since the Caps have considered parting with picks, but considering how young and strong the current club is as well as the amount of talented prospects in the pipeline that are nearly NHL ready, it just might be time for GMGM to start thinking about passing off a future 1st or 2nd rounder to bring the team what it needs to succeed.
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