Caps fill needs with Arnott, Wideman

While I have been critical of G.M. McPhee on many occasions, I will give him credit for picking up an established center in Jason Arnott that will fill a need as a second line center that can only help the Caps in the playoffs. While it's quite likely that Arnott will only be a rental for this year's playoffs, I don't believe the Capitals overpaid by giving up David Steckel and a 2nd round draft pick but of course that is largely dependent on what the Caps do in the playoffs. The Caps also picked up a defensemen from Florida who should help the Caps on the blueline and especially with the power play. With the season long injury problems that Tom Poti has experienced and the recent injury to Mike Greene, the new acquisition of Dennis Wideman is a timely addition.

Any moves Mr. G.M.?

Here we are just hours away from the trade deadline and so far nothing much has taken place as far as trades other than adding Marco Sturm from waivers. While it's apparent that the Caps have pressing needs such as 2nd line center and shut down defensemen, I believe one of their bigger issues is that of goaltending. The Caps decided before the season started to stake their fortunes on two young and promising goaltenders, Valarmov and Neuvirth. While both of these goaltenders have shown this year and in the case of Varlamov in the playoffs that he has the potential to be a stopper, the fact is that Varlamov is injury prone, and Neuvirth has has no playoff experience. As stated earlier, if something happens to Neuvirth, we could be going into the playoffs with an AHL goaltender. The problem for the Caps is that they have little to offer as trade bait that other teams would be interested in other than their core players such as Semin, Alzner or Carlson that would bring anything much in the way of value so I would be surprised if the Caps are able to pull off the big deal. The only reason I believe something big could be in the works is that McPhee, the Caps G.M. is on the hot seat this year to get the Caps deep in the playoffs, and this years team as presently contructed, is not likely to accomplish that.

After taking a long hiatus from the Internet and the world of sports, I have decided to once again offer my inconsequential thoughts on the world of Washington Capitals hockey. As we are quickly moving towards the playoffs, I would be less than honest if I said that I am confident of the Capitals chances of going far into the playoffs. Comparing this years team to the President's Cup winners of 2010 is like comparing apples and oranges. For one thing, last years team was all offense, all the time. This year's version has trouble scoring more than 2 goals a game, and have been shutout 9 times now I believe. While the new Bruce Boudreau system that emphasizes defense as a major part of the scheme, it seems to me as if the Caps have sacrificed their identity to become more responsible defensively and the trade off in my opinion has produced a team that is less fun to watch, and inconsistent to say the least. I have heard many people say that none of this will matter if the Caps are able to put together a long playoff run, but as this point, I can't see it happening. Goaltending is another area that is a major issue, as Boudreau can't seem to decide which rookie goaltender is his starter, and with Varlamov having injury problems, the Caps may be forced to go with an AHL goaltender in the playoffs if Neuvirth goes down. There are many other issues that gives one pause, but unless the Capitals are able to upgrade the team significantly before the trade deadline, I don't see good things coming this April either.

Nylander Has to Make Room in the Doghouse for Schultz

Washington Capitals Hockey

It seems as if Michael Nylander will wile away the rest of his time as a Capital somewhere other than on the ice. His sightings in D.C.have been almost as rare as a fiscal conservative. While it's been stated by some in the know that his style of play just doesn't fit in with the fast paced Capital offense, still one would think that his addition on the third or fourth line would make a nice change of pace for the team. Considering that the Caps are paying him over $5 million a year, you would figure they could use "Circles" in some capacity. Unless the Capitals get lucky and find a team willing to take on some of his salary, it appears as if Nylander will not see much NHL action this year.

Schultz on the other hand is in the doghouse because of his play. He's slow, and for a big man he doesn't use his size at all. I've seen him get beat really bad a couple of times where he was completely turned around, once in a game against the Rangers in the playoffs last year, where he looked like a spinning top trying to locate the Ranger player that sidestepped him and put the puck in the net. In my opinion, he's no more than a 4th line NHL defensemen, and the reality is he often looks over matched at that. While not all draft picks pan out, Schultz seemed to have much promise when he first came up, but his game has not improved at all. I wouldn't be surprised to see him shipped off somewhere for a draft pick some time in the near future.

Caps Cough Up Lead, Lose In OT

Washington Capitals Hockey

It was Ken Hitchcock of the Columbus Blue Jackets who said last year that "once the Capitals learn how to play with the lead, they're going to be a hard team to beat". Well, apparently the Capitals haven't learned how to do that as of it, because they seem unable to put games away, having given up the lead in a couple games already this year. Championship caliber teams know how to play with the lead. Think of the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings of recent years. These teams know how to play with the lead. With the Devils, if they had a lead in the third period, it was usually lights out. Of course it helps that they have a goaltender named Mary Brodeur but still the Devils knew how to win close games and play with the lead. The Capitals haven't shown that ability as of yet, and while it is extremely early in the season, they're starting to develop a bad habit of not being able to hold on to the lead.

P.S. Hats off to Jose Theodore who played an excellent game and if not for his play, the game wouldn't have even made it to overtime. At some spots late in the third period, it was as if the Devils were on the power play, keeping the puck in the Capitals zone for far too long, and in one case led to a Devils goal. It should also be noted that the vaunted Capitals power play has been A.W.O.L so far this season. A couple of goals here and there, and the Capitals would likely have a couple more games in the win column.

Solid Game but Penalties Continue to Kill Caps

Washington Capitals Hockey

Playing the Red Wings, one knew that the Caps would have to play a solid game and keep the mistakes and especially penalties to a minimum. For the most part they accomplished it, with Theordore having a very good game in goal, the defense played much better, and the 3rd and 4th lines stepped up and produced both of the Capitals goals. Unfortunately, the Capitals had some lapses with Semin taking two penalties, and Green committing a very costly and unnecessary penalty in the third period. While Semin is one my favorite Cap players with fantastic offensive skills, he unfortunately has the habit of committing some bad penalties. It may just be something that the Caps and Boudreau will have to live with, knowing that on any given night he can win a game for you with his offensive talents, but unfortunately, he can and will hurt you from time to time on the other end. Green on the other hand seems to be completely out of it and his head just doesn't seem to be in the game, as he's making stupid defensive mistakes and contributing nothing offensively. Hopefully, this won't continue much longer, and he'll find his scoring touch, and get back on his game.

While it's early in the season, the Capitals have shown some defensive deficiency's and again this year seem to be penalty prone. They are going to have to change that as the season progresses if they hope to win against the top tier teams such as Detroit.

Offensive Talent on Display

Washington Capitals Hockey

Watching last night's hockey game between the Capitals and Flyers, you couldn't help but marvel at the talents of some of the key players in the game. They say that great players rise to the occasion and Mike Richards certainly did that scoring a hat trick and going one better than Ovechkin's two. Richards has averaged about 30 goals and 80 points his last two seasons and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he doesn't surpass both easily this year. As for Ovechkin, he's already way ahead of his start last season with 5 goals in 3 games. Watch for Ovechkin to break 70 this year. The other player that for now seems to slip under the radar because he's playing on the same team as Alex Ovechkin is Alexander Semin. This guy has the best hands on the team, and the way that he can curl and drag the puck is amazing. If he can stay healthy, and stay away from the injury bug, he will easily score 50 goals this year. These teams both seem loaded and I fully anticipate either or both going deep into the playoffs next year. For now, it's a lot of fun for a hockey fan to watch these teams and superstars play each other, although the respective goaltenders might disagree.