Busy Day as Promised

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One trade – three free agent signings. A good day.

We added Jeff Halpern, a center; Roman Hamrlik, a veteran defenseman; and Joel Ward, a big and tough forward who seems to elevate his game in the playoffs.

We traded Varlamov to Colorado for two picks – a first round and a second round pick. He intimated to us that he was going to play in the KHL unless we guaranteed him a starter’s job and a big contract which we couldn’t do at this time. While disappointed in his manner during the negotiations and the way the Russian media manipulated the blogosphere over here, we received value back and we wish him well.

We lost some players to free agency. We added some players. We kept some players in Brooks Laich and we added Troy Brouwer at the draft via trade.

We are being active and aggressive. Four new players to date added to the line up; one core player retained; and a first round and second round pick added to next year’s crop of picks.

We have plenty of time left to continue to re-craft the team. As promised. Thank you. Go Caps!

0 thoughts on “Busy Day as Promised”

  1. Ted,

    Some great moves so far on the off season. However, while they still have some value move Semin, Green and Sgt Shultz for a couple of strong and gritty defensemen and another reliable winger that won’t crumble in the clutch or take stupid penalties (Semin). We need to get strong and physical in order to go deeper into the playoffs.

  2. Ted (and GMGM): Good moves. As GMGM said on MHL on the Fly, “Time will tell”.

    And, with all of the good news here, may I respectfully ask one more thing, PLEASE SIGN ALZNER. PLEASE SIGN ALZNER. PLESE SIGN ALZNER.

  3. Good job on the trade and acquisitions!

    As has already been mentioned, we could’ve gone deeper into the roster, but, I for one, am happy with the group that we have. Besides, it will be nice to see their chemistry develop over the course of the entire season, as opposed to throwing newbies into the mix in January or February.

    Now, I’m looking forward to the beginning of a new season! And perhaps . . . one that will bring home the Cup!!!!

    Thanks for letting me sound off.

  4. Ted:

    The trade with Colorado was brilliant. Halpern will play better since he’s home, although he remains an upgrade over Gordon nonetheless. Always like the big, rugged boys, like Brouwer and Ward, especially come playoff time. Hannon will be missed. I grew to respect that guy and he was a heck of an unsung defender. Smallish, but feisty with speed. Certainly more offense with Hamrlik, but less on “D.” I see two remaining obstacles to a solid team going deep next season: Mike Green and Alexander Semin. Both are enigmas and both consume way too much cap space (and your $$$). Both underachievers in the playoffs, although this is not news. To me, Green is the bigger problem since he loses concentration when its needed most, and most importantly, those concussions are taking their toll. If he has any value–jump! He’s a concussion away from retirement. Semin? If he’s neither a $6 mil + player, nor a locker room presence, and a free agent next year, send him to Toronto. I’m no fan of that coach either. he’s always out-coached in a series when other teams with near equal talent to the caps get a beat on his coaching style. But your folks in charge seem resigned to him-good teacher, yes; strategist? no. Easy coach play for. Whats that tell you? Proofs in the pudding–and I don’t mean in the less intense, single game regular season.

  5. Nice additions, Ted.

    Especially like Joel Ward. Like you said about the playoffs, those are the guys that come through for you.

    I’m not sad about Varlamov at all…personally, whether it’s planned or not, I think Braden Holtby will emerge as the starter when all is said and done. Varlamov leaving just makes room for him to get a bit of a chance.

  6. Dear Mr Leonsis:

    I don’t know whether these moves will work out – I certainly hope they do and know that you and your management team are doing their best to bring Washington DC a Stanley Cup. Seeing the transformation of this team over the past 6 years has been amazing and I want to thank you for giving Washington the only contender in any of the leagues (and I hope to say that the Wizards will also contend in a few years).

    This is the only way to win a championship – build in the draft and fill the gaps in free agency. By getting to the playoffs consistently, where getting a bit of luck is extremely important, you give yourself a decent chance of winning the championship.

    Thank you for the proven and correct approach to winning championships. You’re the only guy giving DC sports any sort of hope.