What COULD Happen Next For The Capitals
Posted 5:43 PM ET | Comments 0
With Troy Brouwer's 2 year, $4.7 Million deal, the Capitals are now roughly 1.8 Million over the salary cap. Karl Alzner is the only RFA left to sign and it is imperative that GM George McPhee makes that happen.
Teams are allowed to spend 10% over the cap during the summer, but must be under by the time the regular season begins. By placing Poti on LTIR and demoting Beagle and King to the AHL, the Capitals woud save 4 Million and have 2.2 Million left to sign Alzner. This may not be enough as many believe he is looking for a deal of 3 Million or more.
With 8 NHL defensemen (once Alzner is signed), one could be moved to free up cap space. Jeff Schultz and his 2.75M salary are most likely. The Capitals could package him with the likes of Alex Semin or Eric Fehr and aim to aquire a 2nd liner who could put up points and play smart defensive hockey. Realistic possibilities include: Patrick Berglund of St.Louis, Jordan Staal of Pittsburgh, David Krecji of Boston, and Joe Pavelski of San Jose.
Berglund
The Capitals probably wouldn't have to give up Semin to aquire Berglund, but could part with Shultz, Fehr, and a pick to bring him to Washington. St.Louis would want to make this trade because they have a glut of young forwards and are in need of a left handed defenseman. Fehr could replace Berglund in their top 6 and a 3rd or 4th round pick would sweeten the deal and help convince St.Louis GM, Doug Armstrong, to part with his promising centre. Washington would like to make this happen to bring in a 2nd line centre to play with Semin and mold him back into a 40 goal scorer. They don't part with any important assets as Schultz is on the outside looking in at the Caps' top 6 D, Fehr hasn't looked like the 59 goal scorer he was in the WHL, and a mid-level draft pick isn't going to have impact on an NHL team for a few years. The Capitals also gain an extra 2.75M in cap space to help sign Alzner. After my previous suggestions of demotions and LTIR placements, the Capitals would have roughly 5M in cap space - enough to sign Alzner and have room for mid-season additions.
Staal
Pittsburgh currently employs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin playing in the 1C and 2C positions. Staal`s number`s could benefit playing in Washington's top 6 and Pittsburgh could use some help on the wings. Earlier this week, Pittsburgh expressed interest in Semin and a deal could look something like this: Semin, Schultz, Wideman for Staal, Orpik, and a 3rd or 4th round pick. I would really like to see Orpik come back in this deal as well because Washington needs a big shutdown defenseman and Orpik would fill that role. Pitsburgh would benefit from this deal as they would get back a Russian winger to play along side Malkin and help improve his assist totals. They would also recieve two capable defensemen to round out their top 6 D into one of the best in the league. Washington could improve from this deal by aquiring a shutdown D to play against other teams top lines and a two-way 2C that would balance their offensive-minded top line. Washington also gets two players with leadership that have been-there-done-that in terms of the playoffs. Washington saves 6.6M in salary to bring their total up to 8.8M. With Pittsburgh having to add so much salary in this trade, they would either want Washington to take some more back or be forced to make some trades or demote some current roster players.
Krejci
Boston has 6 capable NHL centres (Bergeron, Krejci, Savard, Seguin, Kelly, Campbell) and may look to offload one in order to make room for the others. Washington should be interested in Krejci as he is a very good player with playoff experience. GMGM could lure him to the Capitals for Schultz, Fehr, and either an NHL-ready prospect like Cody Eakin/Dmitri Orlov or their 1st round draft pick (I'd be holding on to Colorado's with my life if I were GMGM) or both if that's what it took. Boston would fill out their wing positions with this trade as well as solidifying the top 6 D. They also get another piece for the future as NHL GMs must keep one eye on the present and one on the future nowadays. Washington gets a European 2C to set up Semin and also shed 1.2M in salary, setting their available cap at 3.4M - most likely enough to sign Alzner.
Pavelski
The final possibility is Joe Pavelski. With Logan Couture blossoming into a very good 2nd line centre, Pavelski could be expendable. The fact San Jose GM, Doug Wilson, has also expressed interest in Semin makes this trade all the more possible. I could see Semin, Schultz, and Wideman sent to SJ for Pavelski, Murray, and a 4th or 5th pick. San Jose is clearly looking to shake up their top 6 (as evidenced by the Heatley trade) and this would be another fast, skilled winger to add to their core. SJ also needs to upgrade their D and by getting two in this deal, that need would be addressed. Like the Pittsburgh deal, I believe Washington needs to bring in Murray as a big shutdown defenseman. Pavelski could put up decent offensive numbers in a secondary scoring position while Murray shuts down opposing teams top lines. The Caps save 6.9M in salary taking their available cap up to 9.1M. They might have to take some cap back from SJ as this deal would put them slightly over the cap.
All these deals would benefit the Caps and hopefully help them over their playoff hump and bring the Cup to Washington for the first time. What would their lineup look like after these deals? I'll outline what I think it should look like if they keep it as is and after each of these trades.
No Trades:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-Johansson-Fehr (time to give former WHL 59 goal scorer a chance on scoring line)
Brouwer-Laich-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Hamerlik
Erskine-Wideman
Schultz
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Berglund Trade:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-Berglund-Brouwer
Laich-Johansson-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Hamerlik
Erskine-Wideman
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Staal Trade:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Brouwer-Staal-Fehr
Johansson-Laich-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Orpik
Erskine-Hamerlik
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Krejci Trade:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-Krejci-Brouwer
Johansson-Laich-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Hamerlik
Erskine-Wideman
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Pavelski Trade:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Brouwer-Pavelski-Fehr
Johansson-Laich-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Hamerlik
Erskine-Murray
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Which of these trades do you like the best? Which one is best for the Caps, or is no trade the best option? Which trade do you think is most likely to occur? Let me know in the comments section. Personally, I think the Berglund trade is most likely to occur because it doesn't involve a big name star like Krecji, Pavelski, or Staal - Berglund could become as good as one of them, but he is not there yet. The Krecji trade is the one that I believe benefits the Capitals the most. They get a proven 2C for a 7D (in the Caps lineup, higher up in other organizations), a player who could be a 30-40 goal scorer in the league, but hasn't showed it yet, and a good prospect, or two, that we can afford to part with because we have Kuznetsov and Colorado's 1st pick. I also like this trade because we don't have to part with Semin, who I think can get back to his 2009-10 pace with a good playmaker.
Teams are allowed to spend 10% over the cap during the summer, but must be under by the time the regular season begins. By placing Poti on LTIR and demoting Beagle and King to the AHL, the Capitals woud save 4 Million and have 2.2 Million left to sign Alzner. This may not be enough as many believe he is looking for a deal of 3 Million or more.
With 8 NHL defensemen (once Alzner is signed), one could be moved to free up cap space. Jeff Schultz and his 2.75M salary are most likely. The Capitals could package him with the likes of Alex Semin or Eric Fehr and aim to aquire a 2nd liner who could put up points and play smart defensive hockey. Realistic possibilities include: Patrick Berglund of St.Louis, Jordan Staal of Pittsburgh, David Krecji of Boston, and Joe Pavelski of San Jose.
Berglund
The Capitals probably wouldn't have to give up Semin to aquire Berglund, but could part with Shultz, Fehr, and a pick to bring him to Washington. St.Louis would want to make this trade because they have a glut of young forwards and are in need of a left handed defenseman. Fehr could replace Berglund in their top 6 and a 3rd or 4th round pick would sweeten the deal and help convince St.Louis GM, Doug Armstrong, to part with his promising centre. Washington would like to make this happen to bring in a 2nd line centre to play with Semin and mold him back into a 40 goal scorer. They don't part with any important assets as Schultz is on the outside looking in at the Caps' top 6 D, Fehr hasn't looked like the 59 goal scorer he was in the WHL, and a mid-level draft pick isn't going to have impact on an NHL team for a few years. The Capitals also gain an extra 2.75M in cap space to help sign Alzner. After my previous suggestions of demotions and LTIR placements, the Capitals would have roughly 5M in cap space - enough to sign Alzner and have room for mid-season additions.
Staal
Pittsburgh currently employs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin playing in the 1C and 2C positions. Staal`s number`s could benefit playing in Washington's top 6 and Pittsburgh could use some help on the wings. Earlier this week, Pittsburgh expressed interest in Semin and a deal could look something like this: Semin, Schultz, Wideman for Staal, Orpik, and a 3rd or 4th round pick. I would really like to see Orpik come back in this deal as well because Washington needs a big shutdown defenseman and Orpik would fill that role. Pitsburgh would benefit from this deal as they would get back a Russian winger to play along side Malkin and help improve his assist totals. They would also recieve two capable defensemen to round out their top 6 D into one of the best in the league. Washington could improve from this deal by aquiring a shutdown D to play against other teams top lines and a two-way 2C that would balance their offensive-minded top line. Washington also gets two players with leadership that have been-there-done-that in terms of the playoffs. Washington saves 6.6M in salary to bring their total up to 8.8M. With Pittsburgh having to add so much salary in this trade, they would either want Washington to take some more back or be forced to make some trades or demote some current roster players.
Krejci
Boston has 6 capable NHL centres (Bergeron, Krejci, Savard, Seguin, Kelly, Campbell) and may look to offload one in order to make room for the others. Washington should be interested in Krejci as he is a very good player with playoff experience. GMGM could lure him to the Capitals for Schultz, Fehr, and either an NHL-ready prospect like Cody Eakin/Dmitri Orlov or their 1st round draft pick (I'd be holding on to Colorado's with my life if I were GMGM) or both if that's what it took. Boston would fill out their wing positions with this trade as well as solidifying the top 6 D. They also get another piece for the future as NHL GMs must keep one eye on the present and one on the future nowadays. Washington gets a European 2C to set up Semin and also shed 1.2M in salary, setting their available cap at 3.4M - most likely enough to sign Alzner.
Pavelski
The final possibility is Joe Pavelski. With Logan Couture blossoming into a very good 2nd line centre, Pavelski could be expendable. The fact San Jose GM, Doug Wilson, has also expressed interest in Semin makes this trade all the more possible. I could see Semin, Schultz, and Wideman sent to SJ for Pavelski, Murray, and a 4th or 5th pick. San Jose is clearly looking to shake up their top 6 (as evidenced by the Heatley trade) and this would be another fast, skilled winger to add to their core. SJ also needs to upgrade their D and by getting two in this deal, that need would be addressed. Like the Pittsburgh deal, I believe Washington needs to bring in Murray as a big shutdown defenseman. Pavelski could put up decent offensive numbers in a secondary scoring position while Murray shuts down opposing teams top lines. The Caps save 6.9M in salary taking their available cap up to 9.1M. They might have to take some cap back from SJ as this deal would put them slightly over the cap.
All these deals would benefit the Caps and hopefully help them over their playoff hump and bring the Cup to Washington for the first time. What would their lineup look like after these deals? I'll outline what I think it should look like if they keep it as is and after each of these trades.
No Trades:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-Johansson-Fehr (time to give former WHL 59 goal scorer a chance on scoring line)
Brouwer-Laich-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Hamerlik
Erskine-Wideman
Schultz
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Berglund Trade:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-Berglund-Brouwer
Laich-Johansson-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Hamerlik
Erskine-Wideman
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Staal Trade:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Brouwer-Staal-Fehr
Johansson-Laich-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Orpik
Erskine-Hamerlik
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Krejci Trade:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Semin-Krejci-Brouwer
Johansson-Laich-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Hamerlik
Erskine-Wideman
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Pavelski Trade:
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Knuble
Brouwer-Pavelski-Fehr
Johansson-Laich-Ward
Chimera-Halpern-Hendricks
Carlson-Alzner
Green-Hamerlik
Erskine-Murray
Vokoun-Neuvirth
Which of these trades do you like the best? Which one is best for the Caps, or is no trade the best option? Which trade do you think is most likely to occur? Let me know in the comments section. Personally, I think the Berglund trade is most likely to occur because it doesn't involve a big name star like Krecji, Pavelski, or Staal - Berglund could become as good as one of them, but he is not there yet. The Krecji trade is the one that I believe benefits the Capitals the most. They get a proven 2C for a 7D (in the Caps lineup, higher up in other organizations), a player who could be a 30-40 goal scorer in the league, but hasn't showed it yet, and a good prospect, or two, that we can afford to part with because we have Kuznetsov and Colorado's 1st pick. I also like this trade because we don't have to part with Semin, who I think can get back to his 2009-10 pace with a good playmaker.