Ceiling is all mirrors dude, it's on the wall.
- canadianpenfan

So, who thought Lovejoy would get the same return as Ellerby? Florida trades him to the Kings for a fifth.

It is just depressing how bad the Caps have become. The NHL sucked much of the joy of following hockey out of me with the lockout - now the Caps are finishing the job by fielding a team which is lifeless and a shadow of what they once were. I wasn't expecting a lot this season, but I didn't think the team would be a strong contender for the top pick in the upcoming draft.

So, who thought Lovejoy would get the same return as Ellerby? Florida trades him to the Kings for a fifth.
- Oneonta Penguin

Yeah...

I'm not all that familiar with him, but he's bigger, younger, and a top 10 draft pick

It is just depressing how bad the Caps have become. The NHL sucked much of the joy of following hockey out of me with the lockout - now the Caps are finishing the job by fielding a team which is lifeless and a shadow of what they once were. I wasn't expecting a lot this season, but I didn't think the team would be a strong contender for the top pick in the upcoming draft.
- MadCap2008

It can only get better. They still have time to turn things around but they need something (s) to change quickly.

I think the best part about this good start is that the Pens are 6-1 on the road and 5-1 in the division.

If we could take both games in this upcoming b2b we'll be in great shape. I'll hope for a split, don't want to get too greedy.

It is just depressing how bad the Caps have become. The NHL sucked much of the joy of following hockey out of me with the lockout - now the Caps are finishing the job by fielding a team which is lifeless and a shadow of what they once were. I wasn't expecting a lot this season, but I didn't think the team would be a strong contender for the top pick in the upcoming draft.
- MadCap2008

I hear you MadCap. Your GM has to be working the phones right now to shake things up. Goalie, a d-man and a couple hard working forwards would help tremendously.

It can only get better. They still have time to turn things around but they need something (s) to change quickly.
- canadianpenfan

Here is the problem ... they really don't have many trade assets that they can go out and get prospects and picks for, unless you are trading one of your two big core players - OV or Backstrom. I'm not about to put Green in the core just yet until he proves he can remain healthy. 81 games in the previous two years isn't good and you add in the fact his point production pales in comparison to what it once was.

I mean, who has the trade value absent OV, Backstrom, maybe Green, Carlson, Orolov, Johansson and Alzner?

Ribero gets you a second; Ward might fetch you a third; maybe Hamrlik a third. Who else? Tough situation. This is totally different from Calgary that should they want to rebuild, they have pieces that could get them some nice pieces, but they don't have the good core players Washington does.

One player that I have liked for years - Brooks Laich hasn't played. While not a superstar, he is one of the pieces they really miss.

Here is the problem ... they really don't have many trade assets that they can go out and get prospects and picks for, unless you are trading one of your two big core players - OV or Backstrom. I'm not about to put Green in the core just yet until he proves he can remain healthy. 81 games in the previous two years isn't good and you add in the fact his point production pales in comparison to what it once was.

I mean, who has the trade value absent OV, Backstrom, maybe Green, Carlson, Orolov, Johansson and Alzner?

Ribero gets you a second; Ward might fetch you a third; maybe Hamrlik a third. Who else? Tough situation. This is totally different from Calgary that should they want to rebuild, they have pieces that could get them some nice pieces, but they don't have the good core players Washington does.

One player that I have liked for years - Brooks Laich hasn't played. While not a superstar, he is one of the pieces they really miss.
- Oneonta Penguin

That's a big part of it. Laich has been the heart of that Caps team for the past few years. Before this season, he had missed 4 games since the 2007-2008 season. Should be the captain of that team, instead of #8

It is just depressing how bad the Caps have become. The NHL sucked much of the joy of following hockey out of me with the lockout - now the Caps are finishing the job by fielding a team which is lifeless and a shadow of what they once were. I wasn't expecting a lot this season, but I didn't think the team would be a strong contender for the top pick in the upcoming draft.
- MadCap2008

Looks like goaltending and defense. We are wondering whats with Backstrom?

That's a big part of it. Laich has been the heart of that Caps team for the past few years. Before this season, he had missed 4 games since the 2007-2008 season. Should be the captain of that team, instead of #8
- cap1681

Exactly ... IIRC, Washington has lost alot of one goal games - or quite a few. His presence and work ethic could have flipped some of those. I still think they are average with him in the lineup, but his absence is making them bad.

Here is the problem ... they really don't have many trade assets that they can go out and get prospects and picks for, unless you are trading one of your two big core players - OV or Backstrom. I'm not about to put Green in the core just yet until he proves he can remain healthy. 81 games in the previous two years isn't good and you add in the fact his point production pales in comparison to what it once was.

I mean, who has the trade value absent OV, Backstrom, maybe Green, Carlson, Orolov, Johansson and Alzner?

Ribero gets you a second; Ward might fetch you a third; maybe Hamrlik a third. Who else? Tough situation. This is totally different from Calgary that should they want to rebuild, they have pieces that could get them some nice pieces, but they don't have the good core players Washington does.

One player that I have liked for years - Brooks Laich hasn't played. While not a superstar, he is one of the pieces they really miss.
- Oneonta Penguin

Laugh all you want but they could take a chance on players such as Setoguchi, Giordano, Umberger, Tangradi..(ok that one was a jk) They could trade Fehr, Crabb/Brouwer, Hamrlik (this one I consider untradeable right now)/Poti and picks.

Looks like goaltending and defense. We are wondering whats with Backstrom?
- powerhouse

I have wondered that about Backstrom for the last two years. He just doesn't look right. I understand he had injuries that sidelined him half the season last year, but the previous year, made me shake my head and that was after his break out year of 101 points.

It is just depressing how bad the Caps have become. The NHL sucked much of the joy of following hockey out of me with the lockout - now the Caps are finishing the job by fielding a team which is lifeless and a shadow of what they once were. I wasn't expecting a lot this season, but I didn't think the team would be a strong contender for the top pick in the upcoming draft.
- MadCap2008

Might be a best case scenario moving forward.

Might be a best case scenario moving forward.
- Gunner Staal

Especially with the strong draft this summer.

Especially with the strong draft this summer.
- cap1681

Seth Jones is just what the doctor ordered for most teams but definitely Washington.

I have wondered that about Backstrom for the last two years. He just doesn't look right. I understand he had injuries that sidelined him half the season last year, but the previous year, made me shake my head and that was after his break out year of 101 points.
- Oneonta Penguin

STEROIDS?I don't know why only Ovi gets the bad rep for this. Remember the guy who supplied the roids said it was for "professional athletes from the washington area". Green is another guy I wouldn't trust.

Here is the problem ... they really don't have many trade assets that they can go out and get prospects and picks for, unless you are trading one of your two big core players - OV or Backstrom. I'm not about to put Green in the core just yet until he proves he can remain healthy. 81 games in the previous two years isn't good and you add in the fact his point production pales in comparison to what it once was.

I mean, who has the trade value absent OV, Backstrom, maybe Green, Carlson, Orolov, Johansson and Alzner?

Ribero gets you a second; Ward might fetch you a third; maybe Hamrlik a third. Who else? Tough situation. This is totally different from Calgary that should they want to rebuild, they have pieces that could get them some nice pieces, but they don't have the good core players Washington does.

One player that I have liked for years - Brooks Laich hasn't played. While not a superstar, he is one of the pieces they really miss.
- Oneonta Penguin

They have quite a few pieces with value that aren't in the NHL w/ Wilson, Forsberg, and Kuznetsov. You could also add Johansson and Holtby to that list despite being in the NHL as well given they are 22 and 23 respectively & have their best year ahead of them.

That being said, this isn't a situation where the Caps just need a G or a stay-at-home Dman & problem solved. They need a lot of pieces on the back end and more Top-6 talent outside of Riberio (who is an UFA this offseason) and the under achieving duo of OV & Backstom. Better to re-build w/ signings through UFA and unloading players at the deadline that moving their younger guys.

Seth Jones is just what the doctor ordered for most teams but definitely Washington.
- Gunner Staal

Yeah, that kids going to be a star, plus he is EXACTLY what the Caps need.

I hear you MadCap. Your GM has to be working the phones right now to shake things up. Goalie, a d-man and a couple hard working forwards would help tremendously.
- Orpik44

Its unfortunate McPhee extended Brouwer at $3.6M/yr for 3 yrs & the Salary Cap is set to dip the way it is. If Brouwer was due to be RFA at the end of the year w/ a current Cap Hit of $2.35M/yr I'd want the Pens to take a swing at him for a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He put up 35pts or so in Chicago and would add size at 6'3", 215lbs. Like Kennedy, but w/ more size than speed.

But at $3.666M/yr and the Cap to dip down, no way i'd want to see the Pens take on that contract. He's a great 3rd-line guy, but not a 2nd-line guy at all. $3.666M/yr is just too much for the 3rd-line unless the guy is a Superstar.

They have quite a few pieces with value that aren't in the NHL w/ Wilson, Forsberg, and Kuznetsov. You could also add Johansson and Holtby to that list despite being in the NHL as well given they are 22 and 23 respectively & have their best year ahead of them.

That being said, this isn't a situation where the Caps just need a G or a stay-at-home Dman & problem solved. They need a lot of pieces on the back end and more Top-6 talent outside of Riberio (who is an UFA this offseason) and the under achieving duo of OV & Backstom. Better to re-build w/ signings through UFA and unloading players at the deadline that moving their younger guys.
- s0rcerer1984

I know they have some pieces within the system, like the ones you mentioned. I was talking about the pieces right now in Washington. Is Holtby a core player, or a one-hit wonder? I can't answer that.

You ain't fetching too much in return for those spare pieces, which is what I said earlier. I agree, the best way is to use the money in free agency and hope you can attract the ones that make sense.

Its unfortunate McPhee extended Brouwer at $3.6M/yr for 3 yrs & the Salary Cap is set to dip the way it is. If Brouwer was due to be RFA at the end of the year w/ a current Cap Hit of $2.35M/yr I'd want the Pens to take a swing at him for a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He put up 35pts or so in Chicago and would add size at 6'3", 215lbs. Like Kennedy, but w/ more size than speed.

But at $3.666M/yr and the Cap to dip down, no way i'd want to see the Pens take on that contract. He's a great 3rd-line guy, but not a 2nd-line guy at all. $3.666M/yr is just too much for the 3rd-line unless the guy is a Superstar.
- s0rcerer1984

He's way overpaid. Wouldn't want him on our team. And to think Shero signed Dupuis for half of his price.

I know they have some pieces within the system, like the ones you mentioned. I was talking about the pieces right now in Washington. Is Holtby a core player, or a one-hit wonder? I can't answer that.

You ain't fetching too much in return for those spare pieces, which is what I said earlier. I agree, the best way is to use the money in free agency and hope you can attract the ones that make sense.
- Oneonta Penguin

I don't think they'll get any big free agent attention with the team on the decline. Trade a couple guys to see if it works and go from there.
Luongo for Holtby + would be a start.

I don't think they'll get any big free agent attention with the team on the decline. Trade a couple guys to see if it works and go from there.
Luongo for Holtby + would be a start.
- Orpik44

Remember. He gets final say on where he goes. He is not going to go to a team at the bottom of the standings. I have a feeling he is not getting traded and gets bought out in the offseason.