Stanley Cup Playoffs 2010

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by GMScud

Halak gets pulled after allowing 5 goals on the first 20 shots he sees. Wow. And we couldn't score on him if our lives depended on it. Must be nice to have the coaching and leadership to play hard and adjust to defenses.

seriously..

it's like we weren't even playing Caps hockey

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

LETS GO CAPS! Habs will be one of the first round opponent to go down, Game 1 tomorrow. Red Rockin in DC

It all starts tonight. Hopefully with a Cindy and Co. LOSS!

The PENS SUCK!

NHL - National Hockey League Teams, Scores, Stats, News, Standings, Rumors - ESPN

That is funny! Too bad the Caps don't know how to play defense or have much in the way of goaltending. The Caps FO better get some defensemen in the offseason. Over 100 shots taken in two games and only 2 goals to show for it. The offense sucks as well.

[Dirtbag59]

Hints on Alzner's future
8:37
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Karl Alzner | Capitals Top Email

Of all the bad things to come out of the Washington Capitals' first-round loss to the Montreal Canadiens, there's one good thing that did come out of it: They learned their young blueliners are ready for the NHL.

We already new D John Carlson had a spot on the roster next season, but Karl Alzner now likely has a spot as well. CSN's Corey Masisak writes, "As it stands Carlson and Alzner are probably the organization's fourth and fifth defensemen as the offseason approaches." Of course, that could change if the Caps make some offseason moves. There's a rumor they could look at Flames D Robyn Regehr.

But if things are status quo, coach Bruce Boudreau looks like he's good with getting those guys plenty of NHL ice-time. He told CSN, "I would venture to guess they're ready for the NHL full-time."

More on Semin trade
8:18
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Alexander Semin | Capitals Top Email

Another Caps' writer is suggesting the possibility of an Alexander Semin trade. CSN's Ryan O'Halloran writes, "Semin is owed $6 million next year and should be shipped to the Western Conference."

He points out that Alex Ovechkin, Mike Knuble and Nicklas Backstrom combined for 25 points in the playoffs, while everyone else had 20 points; Semin only had two points, continuing his playoff struggles.

The 26-year-old recently signed a one-year extension to take him through the end of next season, when he'll be an unrestricted free agent. Previously, the Washington Post's Mike Wise writes that Semin has been "mostly a downtrodden drag on and off the ice recently," and he missed an optional skate before Game 7, while most of his teammates were there (although Alex Ovechkin wasn't).

Also, the Toronto Star's Damien Cox wrote that Semin might be a trade candidate at some point because he simply drives people crazy: "[Caps GM George McPhee has] got a good young Swede coming, forward Marcus Johansson, and as the market for Kessel and Kovalchuk demonstrated this season, there's undoubtedly a rich harvest to be had if the Caps were to move Semin."

So if Johansson is ready, the Caps may consider dealing Semin early. They can only wish they can get a deal like the Bruins got for Phil Kessel: two first-rounders and a second-rounder. But since Semin is an impending UFA, chances are he'll be a rental player if anything.

Amazing that they still have talent coming up through the ranks. I don't know how Semin would take to being traded. Personally I wonder weather or not he would become depressed seeing as how the only guys he can really talk to are other Russians. Sending him to a team without Russians could leave him feeling isolated.

They also have another Sweed coming up through the ranks in Anton Gustafsson who could end up being that second line center we need. People wonder why we don't make big trades and the like, in reality it's probably because they have so much talent at the devleopmental level that screwing up their cap situation wouldn't be worth one or two big names with hard to move contracts. Not to mention the cost of probably giving up one of these players that could be the next great young Cap.

[GusFrerotte]

They need defensmen though. It is good they got a Swede coming in. Load up on Russian defensemen. The Wings got their first Stanley with vet Russian defensemen. Of course they always had a Russians their leading scorer to in Sergei and now Pavel.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

They need defensmen though. It is good they got a Swede coming in. Load up on Russian defensemen. The Wings got their first Stanley with vet Russian defensemen. Of course they always had a Russians their leading scorer to in Sergei and now Pavel.

They have defensemen. The "problem" is the oldest one among the core players is Mike Green (24). With him you have Schultz (23) who's +50 rating might be a little bit overstated but theres no doubt that he improved a lot this year. Carlson (20) who is going to be a star in this league, and Karl Alzner (21)who while I don't know exactly how to project has all the makings of a quality defensman.

I can't really remember if there was a defenseman out there that people wanted that either

A. didn't have an expensive contract with a few years left (part of the reason they didn't trade for Pronger last year).

or

B. A rental player that wouldn't have cost us one of our young players that will allow us to stay on top for a long time.

Still when it's all said and done we have four young defensemen that are still at least a year or two from being fully developed. I mean is there a team out there that has 3 pairs of all stars? The last two spots can be filled with a few other promising prospects coming up through our system including Dmitri Orlov, an 18 year old Russian that was a 2008 2nd round pick (lol theres your Russian Defenseman) or even a guy like Josh Godfrey a 22 year old 2nd round pick from 2007.

Not to mention we have Varly, Neuvy, and Hotlby in net and say what you want about our defense but Varly never gave up more then 3 goals against Montreal. Varly's problem is staying healthy which is a good reason to keep Nuevy around. In the end this team is so stocked with young talent it isn't even funny, mosts teams would kill to have the players we have even if you take out Ovechkin. The thing that they really need is to get use to playing playoff hockey. Once they do that the skies the limit.

[GusFrerotte]

Thanks for the info Dirtbag. I am glad the Caps have some nice prospects. I was pissed the Habs kicked their keisters, but the Wings have had first round upsets the past decade also, only to bounce back and win the Cup again. Only team I cheer for more than the Caps is the Wings of course. We better win tonight or we are next on the chopping block.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

Thanks for the info Dirtbag. I am glad the Caps have some nice prospects. I was pissed the Habs kicked their keisters, but the Wings have had first round upsets the past decade also, only to bounce back and win the Cup again. Only team I cheer for more than the Caps is the Wings of course. We better win tonight or we are next on the chopping block.

No problem, good to see you still have the Wings who have little problem on defense with Howard and Lindstrom. In the meantime some other Caps news.

For Backstrom, $7 million?
7:28
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Nicklas Backstrom | Capitals Top Email

Nicklas Backstrom is set to cash in this offseason as an unrestricted free agent and, after making $2.4 million this season, analysts expect that number to perhaps triple in this new contract.

Backstrom will be priority No. 1 for the Caps, and he hinted to CSN that he doesn't have the urge to leave (so he won't go hunting for an offer sheet anywhere.)

So three times $2.4 million is $7.2 million, which is how much GM George McPhee should budget for Backstrom as he signs other free agents like Eric Fehr and Tomas Fleischmann. And what will make that number stay that high is how the Caps gave Alexander Semin a one-year, $6 million extension early this season. And by all accounts, Backstrom is the guy they want to keep for the long-term. Semin might even get traded before his contract is up.

Belanger's likely back
7:22
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Eric Belanger | Capitals Top Email

Eric Belanger is the only trade deadline acquisition the Washington Capitals are likely to retain for next season.

Belanger told the Washington Post, "It's my priority number one right now to see if we can get something done before July 1."

Scott Walker and Joe Corvo, the other two deadline acquisitions, probably won't be back. Part of it is that their collective cap hit was about $5 million this year, and the Caps will need that money to retain some other guys.

Meanwhile, Belagner, 32, came over from the Wild and made $1.75 million this season.

Theodore hitting the market
7:17
AM ET
Jose Theodore | Capitals Top Email

Despite the painful playoff loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore finished the regular season on an incredible hot streak.

However, Theodore probably won't be retained this offseason when he becomes a free agent. The Washington Post speculates that it doesn't, since he was replaced early in the playoff series by Semyon Varlamov, the Caps might look another direction this offseason.

Now, depending on what the Caps feel about their young goalies, they might sign a veterans free agent, if they think it's their one barrier to a Stanley Cup -- Marty Turco and Evgeni Nabokov are available. However, the Caps have both Varlamov and Michal Neuvirth so they may choose to go with these two youngster, although there is risk involved in going with guys who are barely 22.

I don't know why but ESPN Insider can't seem to fathom the fact that the Caps interest in taking on another veteran net minder is luke warm at best.

[GusFrerotte]

Nabokov might be a good pickup like Hasek was for the Wings a few years back to start til the youngsters are ready. I am sure Varmalov could do well in the regular season, but the playoffs is another matter when it comes down to the best of 7 and one game might be for all the marbles. It could go either way, these rooks can lock things down also, but being able to put in a cool customer in the net when it is all on the line is nice.

[mlmdub130]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Amazing that they still have talent coming up through the ranks. I don't know how Semin would take to being traded. Personally I wonder weather or not he would become depressed seeing as how the only guys he can really talk to are other Russians. Sending him to a team without Russians could leave him feeling isolated.

They also have another Sweed coming up through the ranks in Anton Gustafsson who could end up being that second line center we need. People wonder why we don't make big trades and the like, in reality it's probably because they have so much talent at the devleopmental level that screwing up their cap situation wouldn't be worth one or two big names with hard to move contracts. Not to mention the cost of probably giving up one of these players that could be the next great young Cap.

i feel like he is gonna hang around next year and then head back to russia and make money back there he really seems to hate america, i just don't see him staying in the nhl and not playing fo the caps

[wolfeskins]

i'd like to see this guy get more playing time next season. he's one of those real scrappy guys, always hustles. he had 4 goals and 5 assists in only 21 games this season.

Mathieu Perreault

[Dirtbag59]

Freaking Halack. Guy can't help but stop pucks. Makes me feel a little better about loosing to Canadians. If there was any possible 8th seed team that the NHL would have felt good about beating both Sid the Kid and OV it would have been Montreal.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

Schadenfreude

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[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by ArtMonkDrillz

Schadenfreude

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Ha ha, that is so me right now. I'm rooting against Pittsburgh and Lebron right now to justify OV and the Caps first round loss.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Ha ha, that is so me right now. I'm rooting against Pittsburgh and Lebron right now to justify OV and the Caps first round loss.

Me too. Misery loves company. It's great seeing Queen James crap the bed, and man oh man it was so sweet seeing the Pens crap the bed at home in Game 7. Fleury tonight reminded me of Varly in game 7 vs the Pens last year.

[tryfuhl]

just want to reaffirm the last couple of posts itt